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So I've been playing adult ice hockey for about 18 months and I've tried various sticks for feel. In general is there a breakdown by position for stiffness? When I play D I have to have a 100 stick or it seems like I fan on clearing attempts. When I play forward with a stick that stiff my wrist shot is fine but snap shots and slapshots feel like I don't get any extra out of the stick. Anyone know a good resource to help get sorted on this without spending tons of dough?
It's all personal preference, so it is very difficult to give advice. Defensemen will often use a stiffer flex to get more oomph on the slapper, but that only matters if you have a good slapper to begin with.
Generally, for a player with only 18 months under his belt, I would not recommend a stiff flex. It requires good technique in order to get the benefit of a stiff flex, something most beginning players lack. Also, your own size and strength matter. You're highly unlikely to want or need a stiff flex if you weigh 140 pounds.
My Opinion:Quote:
Originally Posted by santiclaws
1) Stiff sticks are more durable then a flexible stick.
2) Defensmen use a stiff stick for more control in battling for the puck along the boards and in front of the net.
3) Stiff sticks are easier to use for players who have a heavy stickhandle(no soft hands).
4) A Stiff stick is more controlable then a flexible stick.
5) Flexible sticks are easier to get a snap and wrist shot off. However, with strength a stiff flex can generate more power.
6) Slapshots are more controlled using a stiff stick.
7) A general idea to determine what flex a player should use is (Weight / 2 = Flex(Rounded to the closest flex). Still based on feel.
8) Practice Practice Practice. Stick performance does not come from the stick but the player...
9) Sticks with a double kick point tend to be on the soft-side of the flex scale. So if you have a 85 flex its ganna feel more like 75. 100 is ganna feel more like a 90-95. etc...
10) Also, remember a sticks stiffness is affected by how long and short the stick is. 100 stiff stick cut down a few inches could be a 110-120 flex. a 85 flex stick cut down a few inches could be 95-100 flex...
I personally use a 100 flex CCM stick and I am 6'3" - 220+ pounds.
as an adult, with only 18 months experience, I would sugguest the softest flex that you could get in an adult size. This is usually 85 (or 77 if your using bauer sticks)
A whippier stick will forgive less-than-perfect fundamentals. It does all come down to preference though...
Brett hull used a 67 flex and ovechkin uses a 65 or a 77 I believe... But for your experience level, I would go with an 85 and see how that works out.
I have a 85 flex S17 Easton and a 77 flex Bauer One95 Phill kessel prostock, I am very skinny and these feel best for me.
I am 6'0" and about 145 pounds.
Wow thanks for the info guys, I'm 6'1" and about 215 so on the face of it I probably should be a little lighter on the flex. I know what you mean by the "soft" hands with the stiffer stick as thats a huge problem when I play forward with a 100, receiving passes.
I usually only use a cut down stick (1-2" off standard) when I play forward as I like to be a little lower and stick handle a little more. Maybe I'll just roll with two sticks in the meantime based on position. I've just had a bad week of fanning on pucks I was trying to get into the corner from the front of the net.
I did play roller hockey as a kid, but the puck weights and the speed make it all seem new even though some of the rest of the skills are like riding a bike.
Catching passes with a Flexible stick is ganna be a little more difficult. Simply because the puck hitting the stick causes it to flex. This results in a spring board effect on the puck which will cause it to shoot away if not controlled properly.
A stiffer stick the puck will hit it and either stop or do some funky flips.
Now if you catch the puck properly by catching a pass like catching a baseball. Just absorb the puck with the stick. Dont try to stop the puck dead.
The best way to practice catching a pass besides actively doing it is to stick handle with a golf ball. Golf balls are one of the best way to help your hands develope a soft touch.
Place a wood 2x4 or 2x6 upright and stabilized.
Stand 8-12 feet away from it and pass the golf ball off it.
Simply doing this 5-10 minutes each day will vastly increase your puck control.
Also, come out to the LGK games. We would love have more new faces come out. Good group of people that like to hang out and play hockey. Also, for anyone looking for pointers there are plenty of people who can shed some insight.
Sometimes I like my stick stiff, sometimes flexible. It matters on how sexy I feel at the time.
If I were you I would use a softer flex, like an 85.Quote:
Originally Posted by jammer06
Its easier to load up and "snap" your passes and shots, and its more forgiving of a bad technique.
It gets a little stiffer as you cut it down the two inches or so as you said.
I would love to come out to LGK games, unfortunatley I'm in the Oakland area. I play in a couple leagues up here, but when I do go down to Southern cal I can bring my gear if there is a game. I usually take a long weekend in April if there's games then.
My problem receiving passes is actually with the stiffer stick cuz I use it longer as a D-man so it has the wrong lie when I break out as a forward. I ride the heel alot in that position so the puck will go under when I try to cradle it.
I'll work with the golf balls though, in general I'm just stick handling in the garage 10 minutes a day to keep it fresh, my skating is pretty good, i'm no pylon, but keeping control and receiving passes when I'm accelerating is still a challenge.
The problem I have with the 85 flex is it is super whippy to me, at first I thought I was taking divots out of the ice or something but when I asked the guys on the bench they said it didn't look like that.
In any case I'll keep working at it with multiple stiffnesses and see how my opinion changes over time.
Right now I'm trying to stick with wood sticks in general as I'm not convinced I can get the most out of a ops for my money. I did pick up a Warrior psycho for cheap that I tried out and its fun and fancy, but I think I'll learn more from playing with better teammates than expensive sticks.
Probably better to cut your sticks length down a bit. This will increase the use of your stick and help improve your passing fundamentals...Try for an even tape wear on your stick. Once you notice the tape is wearing evenly across the entire stick blade the length is perfect for your play style.Quote:
My problem receiving passes is actually with the stiffer stick cuz I use it longer as a D-man so it has the wrong lie when I break out as a forward. I ride the heel alot in that position so the puck will go under when I try to cradle it.
Trying to adjust your fundamentals around a certain stick lengths for different positions will hurt your overall game.
It's all in the feel for the user. If you are feeling like its too whippy and you cant focus without constantly thinking about the flex of your stick. Its time to get a stiffer stick.Quote:
The problem I have with the 85 flex is it is super whippy to me, at first I thought I was taking divots out of the ice or something but when I asked the guys on the bench they said it didn't look like that.
Like you said keep trying stuff out.
This is always true.Quote:
I'll learn more from playing with better teammates than expensive sticks.
