Cutting a stick down makes it feel stiffer and performs similarly to a stick with a little higher flex number. Using an extension to make a stick longer, on the other hand, will make it seem more flexible, as if it had a little lower flex value.
The reason that making a hockey stick feel more flexible works is because the extension does not change the total length of the stick. Since feelingly flexible sticks appear shorter, they can be used to get past a defender's check or slip through holes while keeping their full power. Long, heavy sticks are needed for hitting and checking bigger players, whereas smaller, more flexible sticks are best for quick moves and passing.
There are two types of extensions: metal and wood. Metal extensions are thin wires that run along the length of the stick, connecting the ends together. This type of extension doesn't affect the feel of the puck at all since it doesn't touch any part of the stick that might have some sort of tactile feedback for the player. Instead, it only changes the overall length of the stick.
Wood extensions consist of two pieces of wood that are glued together with the fibers of the woods running in different directions, creating a natural spring when bent.
When a hockey stick is trimmed down, the flex rating does not change; just the feel does! The link between a stick's height and flex is critical, but the quantity of material you cut or ad doesn't matter. A shorter stick means less space between your hands, which means less leverage and a more difficult bend. However, since there is less material to work with, a short stick will be harder to control.
The best way to reduce the size of a stick is through heat treatment. This process gives you a tool that is still flexible, but also stiffer than an untreated stick of the same height. Because heat-treated sticks are usually stronger, they can be used as bats too. However, even unheated sticks are now manufactured from special materials that allow for reduced weight while maintaining strong durability. For example, hollow sticks are lighter than traditional solid wood sticks; however, they are more fragile. Composite sticks are even made from plastic fibers bonded together with resin, but they are very rigid!
As long as you don't go over the width of your hand or put excessive pressure on the puck, you shouldn't have any problems with your stick. If you do have any concerns about the rigidity of your stick, consider asking one of our staff members for help. We have plenty of great ideas about how to make your own stick, but if you want something specific, let us know!
A shorter stick allows the player's top hand to be out in front of them rather than along the side of their body. Keeping your top hand in front of your body improves stick handling and gives you more alternatives while passing and receiving passes. A shorter stick also reduces the distance that the puck needs to be shot or tipped to have an effect on the game.
The short-stick position helps reduce injuries to hockey players' wrists, hands, and fingers. Because there is less distance between the body and the ice, players are less likely to suffer injury when hitting other players or objects behind them. They can also wear thinner gloves without fear of damage.
Additionally, playing with a short stick makes it easier for young players to learn the game because they don't need as large a blade on their stick to start with. This allows them to make better contact with the puck and play at a higher tempo from the beginning.
Last but not least, coaches like to see their players using the short-stick position because it is easier to control a ball or puck with their hand down by their side instead of having to reach all the way up with their arm above their head.
In conclusion, the short-stick position is useful for improving hockey skills such as stick handling, passing, shooting, and finger dexterity.
While the HQ editor mentions stick length as a desire in one of the posts above, so is the ability to play hockey successfully. A stick that is cut excessively long at an early age inhibits a player from acquiring an athletic posture, which in turn stops them from skating correctly. A hockey player needs to be able to flex and extend their spine in order to get around other players and objects on the ice.
The best explanation I have seen for why a young player's stick would be cut too long is that the player's parents didn't know any better. They thought that shorter was better! That being said, if a parent has proof that longer sticks are more effective in terms of helping their child develop properly, then by all means, let them grow into their skates.
Here are some photos of different size sticks:
Smaller sticks allow for faster release of the puck, which helps a player score more goals. However, smaller sticks are more difficult to control and handle with consistency when playing defense, which is why most junior teams I have seen use sticks that are about the same size as the average adult man's hand.
Medium-sized sticks are best for younger players who are just starting to learn how to handle the puck. These sticks are also good for developing proper hand-eye coordination and balance.
Some players like long and straight hockey sticks, while others prefer a curved blade. Hockey sticks have the following characteristics: lie, blade design, and flex. The amount of weight necessary to bend the stick 3 inches is described as flex. The stiffer the hockey stick, the greater the flex number.
The most common types of blades are straight and curved. A straight blade is very stable but does not give much control. A curved blade has more "give" which makes it easier to move but can lead to lost balls and easy shots.
There are two ways to change the balance of your hockey stick: throught he shaft or by moving weights within the handle. If you want to shift the weight toward the blade, use a longer shaft. Shorten the shaft if you want to shift the weight toward the tip of the stick. These are called balance changes and usually need to be done every time you change teams or when the ice conditions change (i.e., from ice to rubber tiles).
A flexible shaft allows the player to adjust the balance of the stick without changing the length of the shaft. Most youth hockey sticks have flexible shafts because this makes it easier for young players to learn how to play hockey.
An aluminum stick is stronger than wood, but it will also be heavier. Aluminum is less likely to break if you hit a hard object like the bench or another player.
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