Welcome to Q and A with the HockeyStickMan:
The stiffness, or flex, of a sticks shaft is an important element of consideration when purchasing a hockey stick.
Why?
Because the flex of the stick helps determine control and performance.
How so?
The right flex in a player’s stick can improve shot accuracy and power.
So how do they measure flex?
Flex testing is done during manufacturing to determine how much a shaft will bend. The common flex you see on sticks is a measure of how much weight it takes (in pounds) to flex the shaft of the stick by 1 inch.
So how can this help me?
The general rule is to pick a flex that is half your body weight. Therefore if you weigh 100 pounds a 50 flex stick might be ideal.
However, when it comes to sports equipment you must always consider the players ‘personal preference’. Therefore someone strong, your prototypical shooter, or guys that take lots of ‘Clappers’ might want a stiffer stick.
Alternatively guys that take lots of snap shots and wrist shots may prefer lesser flex when trying to go bar down.
Does the stick repair process affect flex?
Yes, stick repair technicians must cut the break out of the stick (typically 1-1.5 inches). For every inch removed you add approx. 5 points of flex (or it takes 5 additional pounds of pressure to flex the shaft one inch). Therefore, the average
repaired stick is 5-7.5 flex points stiffer.
However, adding a plug to the end of the stick enables you to get back to your desired flex and height.
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