stick kick points

[bubaloo 6]

Hey guys couple questions on kick points. I dont really understand what advantage different kick points have. can anyone help me out? Ive noticed a few sticks I have tried have some different shot results but at the same time dont get how they differ. I was mostly thinking about flex only. I use 100. Im 205 pounds 5'8.

I like to take alot of slappers. what is a good kick point? I like a total one but is there something better for slaps? I notice it dies fast. Ive got nothing in a one month old stick. Feels like a noodle.

I also have tried and x60 and it felt good on wrist shots but not really slaps. different kick point?

what about easton? I used an s19 at one point and noticed my slappers really lagged but snappers were good. different again?

Any thoughts on different stick kick points and whats good for what shot would be helpful

[s_franchise 5]

well if you like to take more slap shots/snap shots, the mid kick point helps the stick flex more so you can put more weight on it. the lower kick helps with a quick release for wrist shots and snap shots. The kick points are all where the stick flexes, it cause the stick to "React" different i guess you could say when the stick comes through.

i think stick choices are a bit personal, i know guys who take a bunch of slappers that use a low kick point. its just a matter of how the stick flexes and if youre comfortable with it.

[AIREAYE 248]

Mid-kick sticks should be a starting point for sure. It seems that 100flex should work out for you but being 5'8" I must ask, did you buy a SR 100 flex stick and then cut it down after? Cause I'm thinking to get that 100 flex range, you probably would've bought an 85-95 flex stick and then cut it down...

You say your T1 feels like a noodle after a month. How hard are you on it? It might just be part of a bad batch.

It could also do with technique as well, and not only the stick.

[Chadd 916]

If you put a stick in the hands of most people, they couldn't tell you where the kick point was on the stick. Experiment and see what feels best for you.

It could also do with technique as well, and not only the stick.

That would be my guess

[bubaloo 6]

Dang sounds like different kicks are better for different shots. Which i figured just wasnt sure which was for each. Is there any one stick that does well but not great for all shots lol? Perhaps I will get a couple different ones for how I am feeling that day in terms of shot usage. sometimes my slapper is on and sometimes its more of a snap, wrister night.

Do sticks list there kick points? I havent really seen much descibed when researching sticks but maybe im wrong.

I do buy sr flex 100s. and cut them down. so maybe they are evn stiffer? I have tried 85-95 flex sticks and they are to whippy. im short but a pretty strong guy.

Im pretty hard on sticks. they dont usualy last much more then the warranty period before they feel sloppy. I shoot pretty hard ( not bragging ) just do. And usually need to buy a new one to get my shot back again. I play alot to as I just enjoy it. usually about 4 ice times a week.

Just wondering if anyone had descriptions of the top sticks and there kick points and recomednations? I havent tried warrior or rbk or ccm. ive had easton, bauer and sherwood sticks. So far bauer i have noticed the best slap shot, and easton the best snapper wrister. sher wood was meh all around. ( t 90 )

i appreciate the thoughts guys

cheers

[steelnation248 101]

Like they stated above, no one can tell you what stick you are going to lime. You just have to experiment. Try not to focus on kickpoints. If it works, it works. A suggestion I have is: have you tried a 2 piece set up? That way if you whip out a shaft, you don't have to buy a new blade as well and it can save you some money, or vice versa. From what you've posted and read on this site, maybe give the AK27 shaft/stick a try... I've never actually used it but there was a long term review going and the guy gave it praise for not whipping out.

And for general reference: standard shaft = mid kick, tapered shaft = low kick. Although every shaft is different, it's just a general rule of thumb.

[bubaloo 6]

Thanks for the help. I will check out the AK27 shaft right now. If it doesnt whip out might be what i need. I hate buying a new stick once a month. I just hate when i take a shot and you can tell it doesnt have the same power to it.

Thanks!

[ponder 0]

I whip out most sticks eventually (if I don't break them first), but my Easton ST has not whipped out much at all, and I've had it for ages. Never really liked that stick too much for snappers, but had a great slapper with it, and it really maintained its stiffness well.

[bubaloo 6]

havent tried the ST, I think one of my team mates has one, says its a good stick just heavy. Ill ask him if I can take a few shots with it tomorrow haha

[Jarick 5]

That's crazy you can whip out a 100 flex at 5'8 in a month...I'm 5'8 and unless I'm using under 70 flex don't whip out sticks at all.

The only thing I've got to add is that I noticed with my AK27 shaft (mid kick), my shots stay lower and my slappers are harder. I've been using low kick sticks pretty much exclusively until now. I have read that in golf lower kickpoints are associated with higher trajectory shots. Could be something to it.

[interpathway 9]

I have read that in golf lower kickpoints are associated with higher trajectory shots. Could be something to it.

Yes. If a club/stick's kickpoint in six inches from the head/blade versus a foot and a half from the head/blade, the lower kickpoint will impart a steep and more rapid trajectory because they release their energy quicker and through a smaller portion of the shaft.

[bubaloo 6]

shots stay lower? Thats probably a good thing. My team mates complain I head hunt a little to much :S I mostly use a sakic blade. What blade are you using for the AK27? Im thinking of switching to something more like a patrick cane to keep my shot down. Yah Im not sure why, but Im sure my slapper wears sticks out mostly. I use it alot, especially one timers. Ive always had a heavy shot though. Before I could even skate properly I could bomb slappers. Im going to go see what I can find this weekend for the AK27. Thanks for the advice

[Chadd 916]

shots stay lower? Thats probably a good thing. My team mates complain I head hunt a little to much :S

That's your technique, not the stick. Stiffer stick or a less lofted blade will produce a lower shot with the same technique, but won't address the cause.

[bubaloo 6]

i usually load up slappers. I can keep them down if I try but If i go full power its almost always over the net. Untill I use a different blade. I had a very straight blade I bought and didnt like that was a mission stick awhile ago. every shot was a worm burner. I like the sakic for wristers and snap shots too but yah slappers sometimes go a bit high.

[Chadd 916]

i usually load up slappers. I can keep them down if I try but If i go full power its almost always over the net.

Again, that's a technique problem. You should be able to shoot just hard low as you do high.

[Jarick 5]

I'm having trouble getting good balance with the AK27, tried a Bandito blade (too heavy, but feel is solid) and a Montreal wood blade (same weight, more woody feel). Curves I use a Sakic.

I strike the puck around the middle of the blade where it just starts to open up, and usually my slappers stay low, unless I consciously open up my upper body and top hand shoulder a little more, then I can hit the top shelf. I have no idea if that's correct technique, but it works, although I rarely take slappers in game since I usually don't have the space. It used to be my slappers went all over the place, but keeping my upper body and top hand shoulder low during the shot helps. I think before I used to stand up or twist and that would throw everything off.

Anyways, with the same technique and curve, the shots stayed lower. They didn't feel like they took off right an impact like normal, but it was like it took a split second to load and release and then a heavy shot came off that stayed a little lower. I don't know if it was just having more weight at the blade, the kickpoint, or what.

Also another thing to think about it, it sounds like you've got a really heavy shot, but you're whipping the sticks out or breaking them quickly. You might want to try going down in flex to an 85 and then not hitting the ice as hard before the shot, taking a shallower angle to the puck. Less stress on the stick.

[bubaloo 6]

ill try some different techniques in warm up see what works. Maybe try some different contact points on the blade aswell.

Ive never thought of trying to go down in flex and not hit the ice. Thats a different way to think of shooting, and I will give it a try. I do have an older 85 flex still lying around I could work on with it.

I have never used 2 pc set ups so im not sure what i will use with the Ak27. I may have to try a couple of blades to get a feel i like. Isnt hockey fun? you just spend and spend haha.

thanks for the advice guys

[interpathway 9]

@bubaloo, if you go down in flex, you must still contact the ice to load your stick properly. The difference is that with lower flexes, you don't need to strike the ice as hard, nor as far behind the puck.

[bubaloo 6]

@bubaloo, if you go down in flex, you must still contact the ice to load your stick properly. The difference is that with lower flexes, you don't need to strike the ice as hard, nor as far behind the puck.

ok thanks. i do try and put alot into shots. I have noticed in the past dropping down flexes has made the shot velocity alot slower. does the stick only have so much it can give in a lower flex or will taking some off make your shot more compatible with a 100 flex stick?

[Scotty 8]

ok thanks. i do try and put alot into shots. I have noticed in the past dropping down flexes has made the shot velocity alot slower. does the stick only have so much it can give in a lower flex or will taking some off make your shot more compatible with a 100 flex stick?

With higher flexes that are harder for you to load, you obviously have to put more into your shot and make an attempt at really giving it hell. With lower flexes, it is very possible to still achieve the same shot velocity, but your shooting mechanics must change and allow the stick and its recoil to do more of the work. Very hard to get used to if you're normally the type who attempts to shoot by powering through the puck.

[Chadd 916]

If you can fully load a stiffer stick, I don't think that a stick with more whip (of the same design) will generate as much velocity. That said, a lighter flex will allow you to load a stick more easily and require less effort to get the shot away and will provide more velocity for that given amount of force than the stiffer stick would provide. Given your comments, I don't think you would be happy with a lighter flex.

[ktang 34]

How do you know if you're fully loading a stiffer stick? By looking at the bend angle of the shaft, or the shaft deflection, or something else?

I'm also thinking that, at some point, fully loading a whippier shaft would be equivalent to partially loading a stiffer stick as far as shot velocity goes.

[Chadd 916]

How do you know if you're fully loading a stiffer stick?

You should be able to feel it.

[bubaloo 6]

Ive only been playing for a few years so still learning and training and my technicques are probably still beginner. Im just pretty strong so 100 flex or more feels right. Im gonna try a different flex and see if I can load it the same by taking something off my power. I have a pro stock s19 that I bought that said it was 100 flex but feels like 85 for sure. I used it once cause i couldnt get my shot the same. Its brand new chilling in my garage. Im gonna try that one but work on different techniques and see if i can get a good shot with it changing things up. It would be nice to get a shot away faster not having to put so much into a shot.

[interpathway 9]

I used it once cause i couldnt get my shot the same.

Slow down your motion. It's a 15LB lighter flex, meaning that you have the ability to bend it more (store more energy into it) and it takes the stick a bit longer to return the energy to you. Slow your hand action down a millisecond or two, you'll see the results instantly.