Hockey stick flex – it’s one of the most visible specifications of any hockey stick, but do you actually know how to choose the optimal stick flex?
You may be surprised to learn that you’ve been playing with the wrong flex all along. Once you make the change to a more appropriate flex, your shot will become stronger and your puck confidence will improve.
Here are our tips on how to choose the correct hockey stick flex.
What Does Hockey Stick Flex Actually Mean?
A hockey stick flex number represents how many pounds of force is required to bend the stick one inch.
As the number goes up, the stick becomes more stiff. And as the number goes down, the stick becomes more flexible.
A 55 flex stick requires 55 pounds to bend it one inch and 110 pounds to bend it two inches.
A 75 flex stick requires 75 pounds to bend it one inch and 150 pounds to bend it two inches.
Choose A Flex Equal To Half Your Weight
The general rule of thumb is to play with a hockey stick flex equal to half your body weight.
For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should use a stick with a 75 flex. And if you weigh 190 pounds, you should use a 95 flex.
However, you can and should adjust what flex you use based on your position and style of play.
More Flex (Lower Number) For Quick Snap Shots & Stickhandling
For forwards, using a stick with a bit more flex can provide you a quicker release on your snap shots, giving you more of an advantage when you shoot the puck. This is particularly true if you’re shooting with the modern hockey shot technique. Additionally, many forwards enjoy playing with a slightly shorter stick, and having more flex on a shorter stick is ideal.
So if you’re a 180 pound forward, instead of playing with a 90 flex stick, which would be half your weight, you may want to drop to an 85 or 75 flex.
Less Flex (Higher Number) For Slapshots & Hard Passes
For defensemen, you’ll launch harder slap shots and send harder, crisper passes with a stiffer stick. And from a defensive perspective, you’ll deliver more effective poke checks with a longer stick, in which case you’ll want a bit of extra stiffness.
So if you’re a 180 pound defensemen, instead of playing with a 90 flex stick, which would be half your weight, you may want to increase to a 95 or 100 flex.
Stick Flex vs. Stick Length
There’s a direct relationship between stick flex and stick length that can help you determine how long your hockey stick should be.
If you cut a stick shorter, it becomes slightly less flexible. And if you make your stick longer with a stick end plug, the stick becomes slightly more flexible.
Choose The Right Flex And Watch Your Game Improve
We hope this information helps you choose the ideal stick flex for yourself and your hockey game. You can always rely on the team here at Ice Hockey Skills to answer all your hockey questions.
