Stick length advice

[ZurichLions 0]

I am confused by the stick length indications manufacturers provide on their web sites and catalogues and find them unreliable. Whether it is Junior, intermediate or senior sticks, different brands often are listed as having the same length when in reality they are different. As a specific example, Bauer and Reebok both list their respective intermediate sticks as being 57 inches long. However, Reebok sticks are 1.5 inches longer than the Bauer's. What is the reason for this discrepancy, are there different ways of measuring the length of a stick?

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Just a guess? The shafts may, in fact, be the same length just some end up being taller (not longer) due to the lie of the blade (remember: the lie is the angle of the blade to that of the shaft) and/or combination of the length of the blade. Thus, as you stand up with toe on the floor, spine of the shaft against the wall, one might end up being taller due to this combination despite the actual shaft being the same length.

Again, I'm not an expert (but I did stay at a Motel 6 last night)

[CAmmon 2]

The measurement should be accurate from the butt end to the heel of the blade.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I'm actually curious about something else to do with stick length. I've always been told your stick should come up to your chin while on skates (which for me translates to the stick coming up to the tip of my nose while in shoes). With a SR stick, that means cutting off a few inches, but an intermediate stick is exactly that length already. Am I okay to just save myself some cash and buy intermediate sticks? I understand there will be flex differences of course, but otherwise... is there anything wrong with doing this?

[doyle01 0]

I'm actually curious about something else to do with stick length. I've always been told your stick should come up to your chin while on skates (which for me translates to the stick coming up to the tip of my nose while in shoes). With a SR stick, that means cutting off a few inches, but an intermediate stick is exactly that length already. Am I okay to just save myself some cash and buy intermediate sticks? I understand there will be flex differences of course, but otherwise... is there anything wrong with doing this?

If you can get away with something that has an intermediate flex, go for it.

As what will be said time after time its all preference, I buy SR sticks and cut them right under my chin bare feet.

[kr580 2]

I'm actually curious about something else to do with stick length. I've always been told your stick should come up to your chin while on skates (which for me translates to the stick coming up to the tip of my nose while in shoes). With a SR stick, that means cutting off a few inches, but an intermediate stick is exactly that length already. Am I okay to just save myself some cash and buy intermediate sticks? I understand there will be flex differences of course, but otherwise... is there anything wrong with doing this?

That's perfectly fine to do that, as long as the flex is strong enough for you. Depending on your size and strength you may find it too whippy. As far as height goes, it's all 100% personal preference. In general, between the chest and the chin (in skates) will give you better stick handling and chin to nose will give you a little more reach, good for defensemen who want that little extra reach.

[Chadd 916]

I'm actually curious about something else to do with stick length. I've always been told your stick should come up to your chin while on skates (which for me translates to the stick coming up to the tip of my nose while in shoes).

That's just a good all-around starting point, some like them shorter or longer.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

If you can get away with something that has an intermediate flex, go for it.

As what will be said time after time its all preference, I buy SR sticks and cut them right under my chin bare feet.

That's perfectly fine to do that, as long as the flex is strong enough for you. Depending on your size and strength you may find it too whippy. As far as height goes, it's all 100% personal preference. In general, between the chest and the chin (in skates) will give you better stick handling and chin to nose will give you a little more reach, good for defensemen who want that little extra reach.

Cool, thanks guys. Considering the last stick I bought was a 105 before it was cut down, I'm sure I could handle an intermediate stick with more flex. (I bought an X:40 Stick'um as my first stick I've used in almost 20 years, I really had no idea since the last stick I used was a wood Doug Gilmour stick). I won't spend more than $60 on a stick at this point in my "career".

That's just a good all-around starting point, some like them shorter or longer.

Fair enough, like I said above, that was how I measured it when I was 8... haha

[flaming_june 2]

The measurement should be accurate from the butt end to the heel of the blade.

Indeed and that might be the discrepancy that he's seeing since the blade pattern may be longer, and therefore seem longer.

I'm actually curious about something else to do with stick length. I've always been told your stick should come up to your chin while on skates (which for me translates to the stick coming up to the tip of my nose while in shoes). With a SR stick, that means cutting off a few inches, but an intermediate stick is exactly that length already. Am I okay to just save myself some cash and buy intermediate sticks? I understand there will be flex differences of course, but otherwise... is there anything wrong with doing this?

If you are a hockey vet and know how to push off the ice for shots and passes, then it becomes a problem. You want around 20-30% flex during shots. If it's too flexy it will give you inaccurate shots and passes, esp ones that go over the net. What you can do is buy a senior stick and get it a bit longer than you're used to. Test it out, and during the course of the season cut off 1/8 every game or few games. Get it to what you like in flex, posture, shots etc. Hossa, Yzerman and some other NHLers do that through the course of the season to get it perfect.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Indeed and that might be the discrepancy that he's seeing since the blade pattern may be longer, and therefore seem longer.

If you are a hockey vet and know how to push off the ice for shots and passes, then it becomes a problem. You want around 20-30% flex during shots. If it's too flexy it will give you inaccurate shots and passes, esp ones that go over the net. What you can do is buy a senior stick and get it a bit longer than you're used to. Test it out, and during the course of the season cut off 1/8 every game or few games. Get it to what you like in flex, posture, shots etc. Hossa, Yzerman and some other NHLers do that through the course of the season to get it perfect.

Well in my case the flex doesn't even really matter! hahaha! It's all the same to me, at this level.

[fiimb 1]

Cool, thanks guys. Considering the last stick I bought was a 105 before it was cut down, I'm sure I could handle an intermediate stick with more flex. (I bought an X:40 Stick'um as my first stick I've used in almost 20 years, I really had no idea since the last stick I used was a wood Doug Gilmour stick). I won't spend more than $60 on a stick at this point in my "career".

Fair enough, like I said above, that was how I measured it when I was 8... haha

small changes in flex doesn't make a huge difference, but if you came from a 105 flex SR stick going to a 67 flex intermediate stick you will definitely feel that difference. there would be a pretty significant change in technique with that big a change in flex.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

small changes in flex doesn't make a huge difference, but if you came from a 105 flex SR stick going to a 67 flex intermediate stick you will definitely feel that difference. there would be a pretty significant change in technique with that big a change in flex.

I doubt I'd notice much... the technique isnt there to start with. Still trying to figure out how to do a wrist shot.