Stick Length vs Stickhandling

[stevo_323 0]

Searched and didnt find exactly what I was looking for.

Why is it such normal "knowledge" to have the stick around chin height for better puck handling. I have mine up to my nose in skates because I feel like I have better dangles with a longer stick. It seems much easier to toe drag and definatly better for making moves. What is the logic with having it shorter?

Any examples or pros preferances or personal preferances would be great.

[Chadd 916]

The shorter the stick the closer you are to the puck. The closer you are to the puck the easier it is to control it, especially in traffic or along the boards. A longer stick will give you more reach, and that will help if you are trying to cross over or go inside-out but does not make it easier to handle the puck in traffic.

[maxamillion 3]

I remember seeing Peter Forsberg play in person for the first time and being amazed by how short the stick he used was. and he was one of the best stickhandlers ever.

[seamussk8 0]

The reason I find for using a short stick is that I can handle the puck in tight to my feet easier

[mug25 2]

Gretzky used a crazy short stick too didn't he?

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Crosby uses a stick that's roughly collarbone height. Works well for him to stickhandle and protect the puck.

[steelnation248 102]

From some videos I've seen online, Datsyuk uses a stick that goes up to around his nose and Kovalev uses one that appears to be collarbone level. Those two have some amazing stickhandling skills with varying lengths.

[gxc999 7]

Gretzky used a crazy short stick too didn't he?

No, he started the season with a stick around his chin and cut it down month by month until it hit the middle of his neck or so.

From some videos I've seen online, Datsyuk uses a stick that goes up to around his nose and Kovalev uses one that appears to be collarbone level. Those two have some amazing stickhandling skills with varying lengths.

Datsyuk, Kovalev, Hossa, Kane, there are actually quite a few. Stick length actually has little to do with stick handling until you're talking about an extreme. If it's halfway up your chin or near your mouth as compared to middle of your neck, the difference isn't going to be night and day. It's just a matter of practicing and being comfortable with it. However with that said, different lengths make different things easier, e.g. going wide around a defender is easier with a longer stick while playing the puck directly with your body against the boards is tough without a shorter twig. Lie actually matters more than length to me.

[flaming_june 2]

It all comes down to how you hold your posture, which part of the blade you stick handle, and which wave motion you utilize. For example, you can have a longer stick, with a bit lower lie, heel curve, hold your posture low, and only stick handle with the heel portion of the blade. However if you're a mid curve or toe curve user with high lie you may use a shorter stick. Specifically it's all personal style and preference. However the deal is that defensemen use longer stick for reach, forwards use shorter stick for better puck retention. This isn't always the case. Plenty of forwards like Markus Naslund and St. Louis uses longer than chin length, while players like Boyle uses slightly shorter stick.

It all comes down to how you hold your posture, which part of the blade you stick handle, and which wave motion you utilize. For example, you can have a longer stick, with a bit lower lie, heel curve, hold your posture low, and only stick handle with the heel portion of the blade. However if you're a mid curve or toe curve user with high lie you may use a shorter stick. Specifically it's all personal style and preference. However the deal is that defensemen use longer stick for reach, forwards use shorter stick for better puck retention. This isn't always the case. Plenty of forwards like Markus Naslund and St. Louis uses longer than chin length, while players like Boyle uses slightly shorter stick.

[realgains 1]

Are you serious lol....two posters up.

! Gretz had a super short stick all the time!

http://cuthockeysticks.com/

I played pro in Europe for 10 years. I also had a few games in the NHL and a couple years in the A. I am telling you all now that there are very very few forwards at these levels with sticks longer then adam's apple length in skates. Most cut their sticks down to between collar bone to adams apple. A few guys go bottom of chin. Almost nobody goes higher save for a few freaks like Hossa, Martin St Luis, and Datsyuk(who sued to be short). Even some D have short sticks like Salo. The puck handling is light years better with a short stick. Handling the puck in tight in the corners is way more effective with a short stick too.

Short sticks do not mess up your short!!!...they make it better, no question, as long as the stick in not too stiff due to being cut down! The only shot that suffers a bit is the slap shot. You must take into consideration the slick flex before you cut it down. I am 5'10" tall and I use a 75 intermediate cut down...so it's about an 80. Most guys that do not play pro use WAY too stiff of a stick. It hurts your shot and especially puck control! Also lie is very important and your choice should be based on how low you skate and how far in front you like to carry.

I practiced with Forsberg...super short stick!

Kovalev

Mario

Crosby

OV

the list goes on.....short sticks for skilled forwards!

[Chadd 916]

It had been at least a month since someone posted a link to that site. I love the pics of people sitting on the boards being used as proof of their stick length.

[Jordan 13]

^{On the other hand:}

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I was always told nose height off skates, and chin height on skates as a little kid. Basically every year starting with bantams, I cut my stick shorter and shorter and now as a senior in high school it's about an inch and a half below chest height. I'm 6'3" and my stick is the same length as some of the 5'9", 5'10" guys on the team.

[Hockeydog 8]

I cut mine to right below chin level. I found my slapper is better at that level than with the stick at mouth or nose level.

[tareatingrat 4]

I do find that guys with shorter sticks, or just shorter guys in general (beer league) are better with the puck.

They seem to be able to keep the puck closer, protect it well, and dig it out of traffic easier.

No science or fact backing that up, so take it for what it's worth. It's not always the case, just what I've personally noticed.

[phunky_monkey 6]

I was always told nose height off skates, and chin height on skates as a little kid. Basically every year starting with bantams, I cut my stick shorter and shorter and now as a senior in high school it's about an inch and a half below chest height. I'm 6'3" and my stick is the same length as some of the 5'9", 5'10" guys on the team.

I was always taught this as a rule too.

I'm a defenseman and use a stick that's up to my chin with shoes on, but I think it all depends on the player and the lie of the stick. I'm 6'4 so reach is not an issue.

[skyscrape 5]

Two factors here, one the longer the blade the taller the stick will be, so if you used two identical stick length sand identical lies ,but one has a 1.5” longer blade it’s will be taller.

Obviously lie and bottom curvature playas key role as well. From my personal observation the stick lengths used today are far longer then in the 90’s, that’s why the skill of today’s players on any level is much less of those in the past.

Few simple things to look at is pass completion today compared to late 80’s and early 90’s, it’s far less accurate today because it’s difficult to send a precise pass with a longer stick and to receive it as well especially if it’s close to your feet, not to mention that most top end composite sticks today are blade light which diminishes stick handling and passing ability, but improves shot quickness.

Part of the problem is the goalie evolution. What I see today is a 14 year old kid who wants to be noticed and has very little ice time, relies more on scoring a goal first then making a pass, and with a short stick you’re simply will not generate enough of a shot to beat a goaltender unless you get really close.

The second part of the problem is of course the manufacturers whose marketing strategy is built 100% around power shot and loading of the stick. You have to remember that every time you transfer the work load into a mechanical object you loose touch. So it works for the masses that don’t have the touch, but it’s the complete opposite for a guy with softer hands who suffers from having the stick do all the work rather then using his hands.

One good example is Roger Federer who uses softer and heavier racket, where as most of the other players use stiffer and lighter rackets. Because if this they always overpower him, but they can never out skill him because of his touch.

Cheers.

So what would be the solution for the guy who is more of a touch player and does not need the stick to do everything? A two piece with a wood blade?

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I'm 6'4 so reach is not an issue.

Exactly... the long arms are finally good for something other than getting things off the top shelf

[WSjo22 1]

I put my skates on, grab my stick and hold it like I'm would stickhandling with the blade flat on the ground, slide my top hand down to where I like it when I stick handle which is just about the top of my hip bone... I grab the hacksaw and hack it off and don't have a problem no matter what lie I use

[wetwilly17 6]

Two factors here, one the longer the blade the taller the stick will be, so if you used two identical stick length sand identical lies ,but one has a 1.5” longer blade it’s will be taller.

Obviously lie and bottom curvature playas key role as well. From my personal observation the stick lengths used today are far longer then in the 90’s, that’s why the skill of today’s players on any level is much less of those in the past.

Few simple things to look at is pass completion today compared to late 80’s and early 90’s, it’s far less accurate today because it’s difficult to send a precise pass with a longer stick and to receive it as well especially if it’s close to your feet, not to mention that most top end composite sticks today are blade light which diminishes stick handling and passing ability, but improves shot quickness.

Part of the problem is the goalie evolution. What I see today is a 14 year old kid who wants to be noticed and has very little ice time, relies more on scoring a goal first then making a pass, and with a short stick you’re simply will not generate enough of a shot to beat a goaltender unless you get really close.

The second part of the problem is of course the manufacturers whose marketing strategy is built 100% around power shot and loading of the stick. You have to remember that every time you transfer the work load into a mechanical object you loose touch. So it works for the masses that don’t have the touch, but it’s the complete opposite for a guy with softer hands who suffers from having the stick do all the work rather then using his hands.

One good example is Roger Federer who uses softer and heavier racket, where as most of the other players use stiffer and lighter rackets. Because if this they always overpower him, but they can never out skill him because of his touch.

Cheers.

why do you say pass completion is lower today since there is no stat? and if it is, wouldn't it be due to the evolution of the game? i didn't start watching hockey seriously until mid 90s so i may be wrong, but isn't there a lot more neutral zone trap and consequently more dump and chase type play. this doesn't mean players can't pass as well, it just means the game has changed.

[RussianDangler15 0]

It's really up to personal preference as with most things. I personally like my sticks to be around collarbone on skates, it makes the puck really easy to control and I don't find my shooting to be affected at all.

[Jordan 13]

***From my personal observation the stick lengths used today are far longer then in the 90’s, that’s why the skill of today’s players on any level is much less of those in the past.***

There is zero eveidence of this.

Ask any one who has been inveolved in minor hockey about the skill level of kids today...it is significantly higher than it was in the '90s.

If you mean at the pro level, I also disagree with your statement. Why? Because scoring is lower? It's just as reasonable that the reduced level of scoring is because of increased skill, not reduced skill.

My own opinion is that the skill level of players at all levels of hockey is higher than ever. More kids work on skating and shooting and hockey skills more than ever before. In the '90s there you regularly used to see NHL players who were weaker crossing over one side than the other. Used to see plenty of forwards who couldn't skate backwards very well. These days, you never see that.

Anyhow...differing views makes for good discussions.

Pretty skillful goal from the other night:

[SolarWind 23]

***From my personal observation the stick lengths used today are far longer then in the 90’s, that’s why the skill of today’s players on any level is much less of those in the past.***

There is zero eveidence of this.

Ask any one who has been inveolved in minor hockey about the skill level of kids today...it is significantly higher than it was in the '90s.

If you mean at the pro level, I also disagree with your statement. Why? Because scoring is lower? It's just as reasonable that reduced level of scoring is because of increased skill, not reduced skill.

I'm second to this!

at the minor level it's very evident by the fact that the divisions are shifting all the time to accomodate the increased level of skill. Previously novice would go all the way up to 11 where's today it's PeeWee.

skilled Kids @ 9 can certainly do quite a bit more then skilled kids of 80s @ 12...

[AFrozenPond 1]

It had been at least a month since someone posted a link to that site. I love the pics of people sitting on the boards being used ax proof of their stick length.

I thought that site was great. I didn't see one picture of a player sitting on the boards. The closest you will get is Stevie Y leaning from the inside of the bench.

[goodguy 7]

Had to switch my son to a Warrior 100 flex stick as he was breaking 85 flex sticks like every week. Different schools of thought on stick flex and durability but so far so good. Plays AAA level and on the ice quite a bit so sticks see a lot if use.

The reason wee switched to warrior was the longer stick length out of the box. He is 6'3" and likes the length to his nose. Every other manufacturer requires an extension to be put in an off the rack stick. I think he should use a shorter stick as a forward but he insists he is ok with it. From my observation, it is all a trade off. He gets incredible velocity on slapshots with longer stick (how often do you see those)... He definitely dangles the puck out further from the body which makes it vulnerable to defenders -but- in another way he can also keep it further from defenders too. He can put it far out to the side and nobody can reach it - or he can carry it ahead and move it around defenders too. While I don't think it is ideal in some cases, if works well in others.

So I really think stick length is a totally personal style and adaptation thing. True, he is not stick handling like Kane around his feet but that is not his style anyway. You will probably gravitate toward what feels right for your style of play. For example, I am not a very good player but cut a stick down because I read somewhere if was good for stick handling, it was definitely good for stick handling but not for overall play (defensively, carry up the ice, etc). It was more gimmicky to try to have it collarbone short and I don't use it anymore. If you are a Hossa or Kane you are obviously going to have.a refined sense off equipment that regular guys can't emulate. I have a Hossa stick (his actual stick) and you cannot believe the actual hook on the toe - it is wild. So to say such and such high level player uses a short stick really has no relation to what anyone else should do. Personally I think a longer stick, if you can learn to use it well, has advantages all over the ice. BTW, my son is a forward and his 27 year old X-OHL coaches were telling him to go longer so even experienced guys are all over the board on this. In fact, from my experience, it is always the beer league type coaches who say "cut it shorter for better stick handling". There is no right answer.