Stick Flex: How to know what's right?

[guffaw 0]

How do you know if you are using the right flex? Was using an 85 and felt the stick flexing, but thought it was too much. Now using a 100 and i never "feel" the stick flex. Short of using a radar gun for each flex, how do you know whats best? Almost feels like my wrist shots are better with the 100, but slapshots were better with the 85 if that makes sense?

I'm 6'2" ~175lbs, decent upper body strength, and probably an intermediate level player. Good wrist shot, average slap shot.

Any incite appreciated

[TeamHonda401 54]

This topic should be what you are looking for.

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32374-how-do-i-choose-the-correct-stickshaft-flex/

[guffaw 0]

Thanks. I think i need to go back to an 85. Just curious what other players of similar height, weight, and skill level are using.

[chk hrd 164]

Don't get caught up in the number, use what feels right. To many people think that a higher flex makes them manly since they have to be strong to flex. I think to many people use a stick that is to stiff and would be better off with a lighter one. You want the stick to bend to get the energy out of it, that's what they are designed to do.

[Chadd 916]

Almost feels like my wrist shots are better with the 100, but slapshots were better with the 85 if that makes sense?

I'm 6'2" ~175lbs, decent upper body strength, and probably an intermediate level player. Good wrist shot, average slap shot.

Any incite appreciated

My guess is that the stick (85) is not releasing when you are releasing with your hands on your wrist shot, but you are on your slapper. Meanwhile, the 100 is not loading at all on your wrist and not as well as the 85 on your slappers. I believe the same holds true for a lot of guys that use a "quick hands" method on their wrist shot, as opposed to guys that use more of a "stick flex" method on their wrist shot. What brand/model of stick(s) are you using? Kickpoints can have a big impact on this as well.

[gxc999 7]

My guess is that the stick (85) is not releasing when you are releasing with your hands on your wrist shot, but you are on your slapper. Meanwhile, the 100 is not loading at all on your wrist and not as well as the 85 on your slappers. I believe the same holds true for a lot of guys that use a "quick hands" method on their wrist shot, as opposed to guys that use more of a "stick flex" method on their wrist shot. What brand/model of stick(s) are you using? Kickpoints can have a big impact on this as well.

Yeah, that's probably true. it really depends on the specific stick, how you shoot and how strong you are. If you are primarily taking wristers, you may want a stick that allows more loading higher up the shaft and is potentially more whippy.

[guffaw 0]

My guess is that the stick (85) is not releasing when you are releasing with your hands on your wrist shot, but you are on your slapper. Meanwhile, the 100 is not loading at all on your wrist and not as well as the 85 on your slappers. I believe the same holds true for a lot of guys that use a "quick hands" method on their wrist shot, as opposed to guys that use more of a "stick flex" method on their wrist shot. What brand/model of stick(s) are you using? Kickpoints can have a big impact on this as well.

You may be right. Long whipping wrist shot almost like a long armed pitcher. I can't say i push down much to flex the stick. It's more of like a lacrosse shot if that makes sense. I don't think the 100 flexes at all on the wristers. On the slappers I know you are correct. The 85 flexes and helps the shot even if im not putting alot into it. The 100 doesnt seem to be flexing on the slappers.

Easton S7 85

Easton S15 100

[gxc999 7]

How long is the stick you're using?

[guffaw 0]

I cut it down a couple of inches, but will likely stop doing that. Seems like it hurts my shot and poke check.

[gxc999 7]

I cut it down a couple of inches, but will likely stop doing that. Seems like it hurts my shot and poke check.

How high does it come up to you on skates? That seems like it would only reach your mid-chest and could definitely be hurting your shot.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

I was at one point using an intermediate 67. I'm 5'9, 230. It was pretty comical. I couldn't use my stick to put my weight on while getting up from one knee.. It seriously felt like it was going to snap.

I could do some pretty crazy stuff with it, though. Now I use a sr 75.

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[BucksAway 16]

I use intermediate sticks uncut. Probably about 5'10 no idea how tall i am actually and weigh about 165. Getting up from one knee i feel like the stick is going to snap aswell but i prefer a stick that has a lot of flex and whip to it.

Get given crap about it but i cant use a stiff stick, as senior sticks are to long for me by the time i cut them down there to stiff so ~ 75 flex is just right for me ( using warrior sticks ) Snapped 2 Easton 65 Flex.

Nothing wrong with using a lower flex comes down to personal preference in the end.... Doesnt ovi use like an 87? Can gurantee he will be a hell of a lot stronger then most others. Everybody else in my team uses at least 90 and they try to rip on my but im the one putting the puck in the net

[guffaw 0]

How high does it come up to you on skates? That seems like it would only reach your mid-chest and could definitely be hurting your shot.

Never noticed on skates. In street shoes just to the bottom of the chin. Better for stickhandling, but on my wrist shots it feels like my top hand wants to be half hanging off the stick.

[tareatingrat 4]

You'll figure it out after buying a bunch of different sticks.

I'm 6'1", 230 lbs, I use a 100 flex stick. I actually have a 110 flex ST at the moment, too, which I quite like.

Personally, I don't like the whippy feel of anything under 100. My shots suffer a little, but I seem to be able to stickhandle better. Since I'm still a relatively weak stickhandler, I go with what helps improve my weaknesses.

If you want the best of both worlds, but are willing to gamble on durability, the Warrior Widow was probably the best stick I've ever used in terms of being stiff when you need it for stickhandling, and loaded up nicely for shots.

[gxc999 7]

Never noticed on skates. In street shoes just to the bottom of the chin. Better for stickhandling, but on my wrist shots it feels like my top hand wants to be half hanging off the stick.

If that is the case, it really sounds like a longer stick would help you a lot. Try one that is close to your chin when on skates, borrow the stick of a friend or teammate that is approximately that length and let us know how you feel with it.

[hunt3rsean 44]

I'm in between a 75/77 flex and a 85/87 flex. I'll go awhile preferring the whip feeling, but then get frustrated with how it feels during face offs and board battles. So I'll go to a 85/87 flex stick and enjoy it for awhile. Snap shots and half slappers feel good, but then I start thinking I'm not getting a full loadup for wristers. Can't say I play any better with either flex rating so I just go with how I feel in that moment. Flex is such a hard topic for someone else to recommend something to you because it all comes down to how you feel/play.

[cgrays12 0]

If that is the case, it really sounds like a longer stick would help you a lot. Try one that is close to your chin when on skates, borrow the stick of a friend or teammate that is approximately that length and let us know how you feel with it.

or buy a wooden end plug for about $7 and experiment with different lengths.

Im 6'3' 215lb and use a 100 flex with a 3" wooden extension. great length for poke checks (im a dman) and throughout time Ive found a happy medium with wrist shots and slap shots

[rightfield 0]

When I first started hockey I bought a variety of wooden sticks with different blade patterns, length, flex, lie etc etc. One thing I found consistent was a 100flex was good for slappers but I couldn't really put a whole lot of mustard on a quick wrist shot. For some odd reason, I could not take a slapshot with an 85 flex. I felt that there was too much twisting in the blade with an 85 flex so my slapshots was like a cap gun but my wristers were decent. As I played more, my technique got better and I can now take a slapshot with good velocity with an 85 flex . I find myself wristing the puck more than taking slap shots so I stuck with an 85 Flex. I would be curious though to clock my shots now between an 85 and 100 flex sticks.

[Chadd 916]

When I first started hockey I bought a variety of wooden sticks with different blade patterns, length, flex, lie etc etc. One thing I found consistent was a 100flex was good for slappers but I couldn't really put a whole lot of mustard on a quick wrist shot. For some odd reason, I could not take a slapshot with an 85 flex. I felt that there was too much twisting in the blade with an 85 flex so my slapshots was like a cap gun but my wristers were decent. As I played more, my technique got better and I can now take a slapshot with good velocity with an 85 flex . I find myself wristing the puck more than taking slap shots so I stuck with an 85 Flex. I would be curious though to clock my shots now between an 85 and 100 flex sticks.

With the lighter flex, slappers take a little more "feel" as you can't just put your head down and put everything into the shot like you can with a stiffer flex.

[rightfield 0]

With the lighter flex, slappers take a little more "feel" as you can't just put your head down and put everything into the shot like you can with a stiffer flex.

That's true. I guess if you're defence man who takes slappers from the point a higher flex would be benefical.

[Chadd 916]

That's true. I guess if you're defence man who takes slappers from the point a higher flex would be benefical.

Actually, I like being able to get away the shot with less effort. I'll take 85% of the velocity if it takes significantly less effort and less time to get it away. You might be surprised at how often those quick little shots get through and catch people off guard.

[chippa13 1844]

Being able to get that quick, hard wrist shot off from the point doesn't give goalies and defenders that time to get to optimum position and will lead to more goals on deflections and rebounds.

[Chadd 916]

Being able to get that quick, hard wrist shot off from the point doesn't give goalies and defenders that time to get to optimum position and will lead to more goals on deflections and rebounds.

It works as well with slappers. A minimal windup can still generate significant velocity with a slightly lighter flex, and the puck gets away more quickly than they expect.

[flyers10 57]

It works as well with slappers. A minimal windup can still generate significant velocity with a slightly lighter flex, and the puck gets away more quickly than they expect.

I actually am terrible at doing full windup slappers. Feels awkward to me. All mine are waist or knee high and you'd be suprised how much you can still get on it along with the quicker delivery. I use 80-85 flex at 6'2" 185lb ish and have no problem ripping them.

[fatwabbit 93]

I actually am terrible at doing full windup slappers. Feels awkward to me. All mine are waist or knee high and you'd be suprised how much you can still get on it along with the quicker delivery. I use 80-85 flex at 6'2" 185lb ish and have no problem ripping them.

Good ol' mini slappers. I'm the same, and rarely change the location of my bottom hand regardless of the shot.