Understanding the Science Behind Ball Hockey Stick Curves and Flexibility (2024)

FAQs

How to determine the flex of a hockey stick? ›

An open curve makes it easier to get saucer passes in the air. It can also help players receive passes on their backhands, great for players who often play their 'off-wing. ' A closed face curve pattern allows for more accurate shooting in general as the puck stays more square to the blade through the shooting motion.

So, while the manufacturer flex doesn't change on this stick, it will take the force of a stiffer flex to make the stick work correctly. For example, if you have a 100-flex stick senior stick that is 60 inches long, and you cut it down to 57 inches, your flex will increase to roughly 110.

Hockey Stick Flex is when the stick bends as it hits the ice, just before making contact with the puck. The spring-like effect created here releases the stored energy from the stick into the puck. And utilizing the right Hockey Stick Flex can greatly improve your shot accuracy, power, and efficiency.

Stick flexibility plays a pivotal role in ball hockey performance, directly impacting shot power and puck control. A stick with a lower flex rating can catapult the ball with considerable force, even with minimal input, ideal for quick snapshots or players with less physical power.

Flex refers to the stiffness of your hockey stick, typically measured in units from 40 (very flexible) to 110 (extremely stiff). Lower flex numbers mean a "whippier" stick, with more bend. Conversely, higher flex numbers indicate minimal bend, offering less "give" when taking shots or passes.

To maintain a level playing field and to prevent any player from gaining an undue advantage, the hockey rulebook introduced the illegal curve rule. This guideline stipulates a limit on the degree to which a hockey stick blade can curve, setting a clear standard for stick design and ensuring fairness in gameplay.

The term hockey stick graph was popularized by the climatologist Jerry Mahlman, to describe the pattern shown by the Mann, Bradley & Hughes 1999 (MBH99) reconstruction, envisaging a graph that is relatively flat with a downward trend to 1900 as forming an ice hockey stick's "shaft" followed by a sharp, steady increase ...

THE P28 CURVE

This blade's toe curve and open face make it a great option for players who play the game with the puck on the toe of their stick. Ideal for quick playmaking, the P28 is on its way to becoming a top-selling pattern. Explore our P28 hockey sticks.

P88 - Very simple blade with a mid-curve (curve of the blade occurs in the middle of the blade), and no opening (does not curve up). Great for stick handling and keeping the puck from flopping. Excellent for backhand shots. More difficult to lift puck over goalies in tight when close to the crease.

How do you use flexibility in hockey? ›

Flexibility is important for all sports, including hockey. It allows your body to get into certain positions and can work to increase the range of motion. This allows you to skate lower, which in turn will allow you to increase your power while skating. Being flexible isn't just for goalies!

It wasn't until the 1960's that the curved stick was introduced to hockey again and this time it was the result of a mishap! Chicago Blackhawk Stan Mikita accidently broke his stick in practice and as a joke kept taking shots. He was surprised to discover that it added some zip to his shot.

A stiff stick shaft lessens shot accuracy and puck speed and does not provide a good feel for the puck. Most players prefer flexible and light shafts that allow for optimal passing and shooting. Most stick manufacturers offer a variety of flexes. The higher the flex number, the stiffer the stick.

Sidney Crosby uses a CCM P29 curve. This Hockey Stick Blade is one of the most popular in the game today and features a deep mid-curve allowing for great stickhandling and puck control. However, it also utilizes a very open face that provide maximum lift on your shots.

Ultimately, this is a matter of personal preference. Some use a 75/77 flex, but that doesn't mean that they weigh 150 pounds. There are other reasons to choose a specific flex. A lower flex, being more “whippy” is a better choice for someone that wants to be able to put a lot a load on the stick for quick wrist shots.

The flex number is the amount of weight it takes to bend to the hockey stick one inch. So, an 85 flex stick takes 85 pounds of pressure to flex it just one inch. Manufacturers use flex tolerances when constructing a stick.

Phil Kessel (65 flex): Last season, his 12th in the NHL, Kessel scored a career-high 92 points. His stick flex has helped him gain a reputation as quick-draw artist, able to snap off shots with surprising suddenness. Taylor Hall (70 flex): At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, most would expect him to use a stiffer shaft.

The FLEX50 by Raven Hockey is the only true Junior/Intermediate hybrid, at 60 inches the FLEX50 is longer than a standard Junior stick and has a lower flex rating than any intermediate stick on the market, a perfect fit for any player under 5'7" and under 120 lbs.