Stick Flex: How to know what's right?

[gxc999 7]

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.

Actually, I consider that great advice too! On a slapper in motion, you will almost never score on a full wind-up. However, a waist high wind up does a lot of damage...

[kelkel 0]

Hi,

I'm 5'7 & 158lbs, playing as a forward.. Can anyone advise me what should i be choosing? My stick length is currently 57".... I intend to try Bauer Int 67 Flex, but i'm just afraid it might be too soft for me.

[Chadd 916]

That's probably not a bad place to start. A senior might get too stiff if you have to cut it down too much. A 75-ish flex intermediate would probably be a good option if you can find one.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

I'm 5'9, 240lbs now using an intermediate 70 flex. Still can't flex it on a shot.

[KoT 2]

KelKel

U use very long stick for u, u can cut and flex be a good for u... U can cut ~1.5-2.5 inch...

[Chadd 916]

Please do not use "text" shortcuts, use the best English you can. Remember, there are members from all over the world that have worked to learn English, the least we can do is use a form that they can understand.

[KoT 2]

Chadd

Ok, no problem!

[Hendricks433 0]

On Warrior Diablos, does the Senior have that leeway of 3" to cut before it effects flex like some other Warriors? What about intermediate sticks?

[kelkel 0]

Thanks guys for the advise, maybe i should start off with 67 flex or i can cut off 1" to increase the flex. But looking at the posts, seems like 75 flex will work out the best.

KOT: Yup, I'm having a long stick, due to my upright skating posture. Well, will go read up more on stick length, to find out the ideal length of it.

OptimusReim: You serious? I manage to try out on my friends APX 67 Flex (Uncut), is very whippy, and all my shots seems to be slowing down. Guess, i need sometime getting use to it, as previously I'm using Bauer one95 100 flex which is way too stiff for me.

[Chadd 916]

well, you should feel the stick whip when you shoot. A lot of people have never really felt that before and it feels odd to them.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

OptimusReim: You serious? I manage to try out on my friends APX 67 Flex (Uncut), is very whippy, and all my shots seems to be slowing down. Guess, i need sometime getting use to it, as previously I'm using Bauer one95 100 flex which is way too stiff for me.

Yup. No flex at all.

[kelkel 0]

OptimusReim: I use to feel that when i was on my Bauer one95 (100flex), and this is why i decide to shift down to 67flex. But now, i am not sure whether am i on the right flex, as i feel i cant load up any energy on my shots.

[kelkel 0]

Hi Kot,

Since you mention about my stick is too long for me, so what's the recommended length for my height?

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Hi Kot,

Since you mention about my stick is too long for me, so what's the recommended length for my height?

To your chin on skates is "the standard". Start there. Some like it shorter, some like it longer, but that's probably the best place to start.

[icewalker_bg 126]

Is probably not the best place to start because you will need a plug if you like it longer. Start by nose level on skates and work youre way down if needed, depending on the position you play.

[Chadd 916]

Is probably not the best place to start because you will need a plug if you like it longer. Start by nose level on skates and work youre way down if needed, depending on the position you play.

Actually, I would cut it to the chin as well. Rarely do people effectively use sticks that are up to the nose or above and adding a one inch plug often improves feel and balance anyway.

[icewalker_bg 126]

No, nowadays I see lots of players that tend to use longer sticks, when I look at university players and the Q, they seem to favor longer sticks than back in the day. I am not sure what sticks you are using but adding a plug does not improve balance of feel for me. High end sticks are very well balanced nowadays.

[Chadd 916]

Almost every pro I see now is using something well below the chin, with a stick to the chin being the exception and not the rule. At the youth level, I see a lot of kids using sticks that are way too long, but most of that is gone by midget or bantam if they play at a high level. Wood plugs tend to dampen vibration and the vast majority of people say that less vibration = better feel. It's also why a lot of the older pros that started out on wood, still use wood plugs. Once you start cutting down most new model composite sticks they get blade heavy, a little extra weight in a plug will move the balance point back out to the handle. I never said everyone would agree, but that has been the majority opinion. Obviously, some people will disagree or do something different.

[Morten 2]

Try a stick with very low flex, 60 and below, even a junior.

Can recommend reebok 303(the one with the holes :P) that junior has shaft dimensions similar to an intermediate stick, add a wood plug and your ready to go.

It helped on my wrist shot tech, because the shaft and stick behaviour is so noticeble.

Cant go back now, 70 int uncut is too stiff.

[kelkel 0]

Chadd: Yup, i notice their sticks is like 2-3 inch below their chin level with their skates on.

Morten: Wow, I cant imagine if I'm on 60 flex. With my 67flex now, i am facing shooting problem. Been searching at Youtube for proper shooting techniques, but cant find much.

[osicks 6]

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.

Me too, but I alternate between a 65 flex CCM U+ CL, a 85 flex Warrior Widow, and a 100 flex ai9.