Skill on the ice is what ultimately distinguishes a great hockey player from the rest of the pack, but you shouldn’t overlook the importance of having the right gear. Not every hockey stick will give the same level of performance, and it’s critical that players know and understand what each stick brings to their game. This includes the length of the stick as well as the
curve of the blade, but there’s also a flex rating found on most modern sticks. What is hockey stick flex, and what does it mean for you when choosing a new stick?
What Is Hockey Stick Flex?
Anyone who’s experienced a cross-check knows that a
hockey stick is made to be strong and stand up to rough play. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be totally rigid. Whether they’re natural wood or composite sticks, they all will bend at least a little bit under force. This can be important because of the effect it can have on the power behind a shot.
Looking at most sticks you’ll find, you’ll see a number — typically between 75 and 100. This is what’s known as the flex rating, and it tells you roughly how flexible your hockey stick will be. The higher the flex rating, the more rigid the stick is, while lower numbers indicate a higher degree of flexibility. The number corresponds to the amount of force you’ll need to apply to the stick to cause it to bend one inch in the center. For example, a stick with a 100 flex rating will need a player to exert 100 pounds of force to bend it, while one with an 80 rating would need less.
Most NHL players choose a stick with a flex rating between 85 and 100, with forwards typically preferring lower ratings and defensemen choosing a stiffer stick. There are good reasons for that.
How Does Stick Flex Affect Performance?
Your stick’s flex rating can have a dramatic effect on the speed and accuracy of your shots. This is because flexing your stick effectively turns it into a spring, storing up potential energy that is released when you let it snap back into its original shape. That means the stick can put more force into a slap shot, causing the puck to travel faster. This is why so many forwards choose to use a stick with a flex rating that’s lower, because they want their shots to have that extra “oomph” behind them.
It’s important to note, however, that there are some trade-offs when it comes to higher flexibility. One of the biggest may be the level of accuracy you get on slap shots when using a stick with a lower flex rating. This comes down to the amount of stress being put on the stick, which may cause the blade to twist and change the angle of the shot.
For defensemen, the advantages of a stiffer stick make sense when you consider their typical style of play. Slap shots generally don’t call for much flex, so there’s little reason to have a lower flex rating. Of course, there’s also a bit of an advantage to carrying something a little more imposing when patrolling the blue line.
What Hockey Stick Flex Is Right for Me?
As a hockey player, your stick is like an extension of yourself, so you want it to suit your style of play as best as it can. That’s why choosing a stick means paying attention to the flex rating as well as other factors including stick length and the materials.
The rule of thumb most players use when it comes to choosing the proper flex rating is to take their body weight and divide it by two. This is because your weight plays a big role in determining how much force you can exert on the stick. For example, a player who weighs 170 pounds should start with an 85 flex stick. This also is why most sticks made for younger players tend to have lower flex ratings.
The other most important consideration regarding flex rating is your position and preferred style of play. If you’re a forward more likely to attempt a wrist shot, you’ll probably want something that flexes more. On the other hand, if you’re a defender who’s taking more slap shots, a higher rating is a better place to start.
ProStockHockey.com Has What You Need
With a huge inventory of
ice hockey sticks sourced directly from pro locker rooms, ProStockHockey.com is the best place to find wood and composite sticks with the flex rating you need. Players of all skill levels can search through our wide selection of gear to use the same equipment as their favorite pros or develop their own style. We’re always getting new stock, so check out what we have in the way of sticks and protective gear, or contact us today!
