Worth trying mid flex stick?

[z1ggy 81]

I've been playing a while, but just within the past few years got into the low kick vs mid kick concept. Basically, I'm a forward that only really ever takes snap shots, sometimes a wrist, and very rarely slappers. I've always gone with a lower kicking stick since I knew about it. I'm thinking of trying a mid flex, just to see if I'd like it. I spent years experimenting on and off with new patterns, lies, etc, but never flex point.

Will the shot be noticeable slower, and/or harder? I assume by going to mid flex, you trade shot time off the blade, for power behind the shot? Is it worth it for a forward to have anything other than a lower kicking stick?

[mc88 160]

Depends on your hand positioning... and it's all personal preference. If the hand is over the flex point, you won't maximize the load and instead prevent the stick from fully flexing. The thought behind the low-kick is that's supposed to be faster off the stick, whereas the mid-kick takes longer, but has more power. Honestly, I think it's all gimmicky marketing and it's all about your form and technique, but whatever. I just switched from mid-kick sticks to a low-kick stick and I felt that I had an easier time loading up the stick since my weight-bearing hand tends to be pretty low for both wristers/snap shots and slap shots.

Chances are you might not even notice much difference at all. I switch back and forth between my mid-kick Nexus 8000 and a low-kick Easton V9E. Both are great sticks, but for me, I prefer the softer feel of the Easton over the Bauer.

[z1ggy 81]

I tend to have different hand placements depending on shot. For me personally, I tend to actually load up my snappers a little more than my wristers. Is that right or wrong? I don't know, but it's just how I developed my shot over the years. Probably because I practice and take more snappers than anything. For snappers I put my hand much lower than I do on the wrister.

If it matters, I'm currently using a QR1, my last stick before that was a DT4, and before that a Diablo, and before that, an Easton 75s (all low kickers). I'm considering maybe getting something like an Easton Synergy 60 or One.7 (something ~$100 with midpoint flex). I don't want to spend a bunch of money on a stick that I'm not sure I will like.

[QuanSuDude 1]

By all means, try a mid kick!

[MN old and slow 92]

No harm in trying. I am at 5-10 230 pounds and use a 75.

[MN old and slow 92]

Sorry read wrong I thought it said mid flex.

Do not hate on me I am old.

[start_today 778]

For the price, I was really happy with the one.7 I had. $100 is a great price on it. Lots of places have the older Sherwood T90s for around $100 as well, which seems like another good option.

When/if you do get a mid-kick stick, remember during your comparison that you're comparing a midtier mid-kick to a top tier low-kick, so your QR1 is probably going to play and shoot better based on construction materials alone.

[z1ggy 81]

I'd compare it to my DT4, which I find myself using actually a lot more now, because I really do prefer the W28 to the W03 (w03 is my QR1 curve... W28 is my DT4 curve).

I may retire my QR1 to roller hockey or maybe even try to sell it to be honest.

Edit: I'm considering buying an AX3 LT. It's probably only slightly better than my DT4 LT as far as pure specs go. I'm guessing maybe it's a touch lighter and maybe has a little bit better puck feel but I think it would be a great comparison. Same blade pattern, same brand... just different kick points.

I'll post my results here for anybody who may be interested.

[Ps12 11]

By all means, try a mid kick!

I got the ek60 and the lightness and durability have been awesome. It's held up well in one league where I play center. However shots didn't feel quite right. I like the stick a lot but I'm not in love with it. Felt the same way with ek15. I got the 60 with the int 55 flex but it still didn't feel perfect.

So I kept thinking hand placement. I've been using low kick or the variable kick. There was one time that I thought wow this is the stick with my RBZ stage 2. My shots never felt they had that wow factor except that one time. Don't recall where my hand placement was. I do know that my lower hand is usually higher. Was it time to switch to a mid kick?

Sunday I tried out an int ax1 LT 55 flex cut down 4 inches.

For me this stick is everything I want in a shot.

I finally found my sweet spot.

Every shot I took in warmups loaded up beautifully. I felt the wow on every shot.

I asked my goalie if he noticed a difference in speed. He didn't see any. Normally my shots don't have speed and he can usually block them. The big difference is I was able to get them higher. Same 88 pattern that I usually get. I felt they were launching off my stick.

Same thing on breakaways. I've never been happy with my shot. Had a breakaway in my game and stepped into my shot. My teammates said it was an awesome shot and I beat the goalie blocker side. They say he got a piece but it went in.

Flex, height, kick point. It's all coming together! I love my stick!

[AmeriCanadian 3]

It's all personal preference, a ton of pros use the G3 flex profile which is a custom kick point stick (in reality very similar to a nexus 1000) and do very well with it, but obviously they are pros so it's not a surprise they do good with their equipment but my point is, you can have great success with a mid kick even playing forward.

[IW Team - Chase 184]

As per Bauer, a lot of pro's using G3 are switching to the new 1N flex profile. They were able to speed up the load/release process which does well with the incredibly fast pace of an NHL game where you only get a split second to shoot.

[AmeriCanadian 3]

As per Bauer, a lot of pro's using G3 are switching to the new 1N flex profile. They were able to speed up the load/release process which does well with the incredibly fast pace of an NHL game where you only get a split second to shoot.

That's true I can vouch for the 1n as I was lucky enough to win one and while I think I got it a bit too stiff for my use I can say I enjoy it a lot and it loads very easily.