Hockey Stick Flex: Everything You Need to Know
Are you buying your first hockey stick and wondering how stick flex works? Maybe you’ve already purchased one but aren’t sure if you chose the right flex. Or perhaps you’re planning to cut your stick shorter and are concerned about how it will affect the flex.
No worries—this detailed guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the right hockey stick flex to maximize your performance on the ice.
What Is Stick Flex in Hockey?
A hockey stick’s flex refers to the amount of force (measured in pounds) required to bend the stick one inch. This is why flex ratings are represented as two-digit numbers.
For example, the typical senior hockey stick has a flex rating of 85.
- Higher flex numbers (e.g., 100+) indicate a stiffer stick, requiring more force to flex.
- Lower flex numbers (e.g., 65-75) mean the stick is more flexible, making it easier to bend.
In short, the higher the flex rating, the more difficult it will be to bend the stick. The lower the flex rating, the easier it will be to bend the stick.
Flex Rating vs. Breaking Point
A stick’s flex rating is not its breaking point. While a stick requires its rated flex (in pounds) to bend one inch, it can flex several inches before breaking. This means you can apply significant force while shooting without worrying about the stick snapping under normal conditions.
Understanding stick flex is crucial for shot power, accuracy, and puck control. Whether you’re a sniper looking for a quick release or a defenseman firing heavy slap shots, choosing the right flex can significantly help your game.
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Why Do Hockey Sticks Flex?
Stick flex is a critical factor in generating powerful, high-velocity shots. When a player shoots, they apply downward pressure on the stick with their lower hand, causing the shaft to bend. This creates a loaded energy effect, commonly referred to as the “kick” of the stick, which adds extra force to the shot.
How Stick Flex Enhances Shooting Power
The flex point of a stick is typically located near the lower hand, around the midpoint of the shaft. As the stick bends, it stores energy, which is then released as the stick springs forward, propelling the puck with greater speed and accuracy.
In slow-motion replays of NHL slap shots, you can see just how much a stick flexes—especially during one-timers and high-speed shots. This flexibility is key to maximizing shot power.
What If Hockey Sticks Didn’t Flex?
Imagine if hockey sticks were made from solid, inflexible material—players would rely solely on their arm strength to generate shot power, significantly reducing shot speed. Additionally, taking a slap shot with a rigid stick would result in far more shock and discomfort on impact.
Flex Reduces Impact and Boosts Shot Power
When a player takes a slap shot, their stick first makes contact with the ice, creating a bend that reduces the impact force. This bending motion helps absorb the shock while also storing energy that is transferred into the puck upon release.
A properly matched stick flex rating allows you to extend your power through the stick, utilizing the stored energy to generate harder, faster, and more effective shots.
Why Is Stick Flex So Important?
Choosing the right stick flex is crucial because it directly impacts your shooting power, accuracy, and puck control. Using an improper flex rating can limit your shot strength and reduce your overall feel for the puck.
Too Much Flex = Lost Power
If your stick is too “whippy” or flexible, it will reach its maximum bend too early, preventing you from fully transferring your strength into the shot. This leads to weaker shots and less control over where the puck goes.
Too Stiff = Reduced Efficiency
On the other hand, if your stick is too stiff, it won’t bend enough to create the energy transfer needed for powerful shots. Instead of working with the stick’s flex, you’ll be forcing power against it, making it harder to load up for wrist shots, snap shots, and slap shots.
Find the Right Balance for Your Play Style
A properly matched stick flex helps maximize your shooting mechanics, allowing you to load, release, and follow through efficiently. Whether you’re a sniper looking for a quick release or a defenseman unleashing powerful slap shots, the right flex ensures you get the most out of your stick.
The right amount of flex depends a lot on your height and weight. The chart below is a good starter guide to determine which stick flex is best for you.
How much flex should my hockey stick have?
Hockey stick flex chart:
| Age | Height | Weight | Flex |
| Tyke (3-5) | 3’0″-3’10” | 30-65 lbs | 20-25 |
| Youth (5-8) | 3’6″-4’8″ | 40-80 lbs | 30 – 40 |
| Junior (7-12) | 4’4″-5’1″ | 70-110 lbs | 40-52 |
| Intermediate (11-14) | 4’11”-5’8″ | 150-210+ lbs | 55-70 |
| Senior (14+) | 5’7″-6’1″+ | 150-210+ lbs | 75-100+ |
What Stick Flex Is Best for Kids vs. Adults?
Choosing the right stick flex is essential for proper shooting mechanics, especially for young players. Youth and adult hockey sticks have different flex ratings, lengths, and blade sizes to accommodate varying strength levels and playing styles.
Junior (Youth) Stick Flex
Junior hockey sticks—designed for younger players—have the lowest flex ratings of all hockey sticks. These sticks are shorter, thinner, and feature smaller blades to suit a child’s size and strength.
- The average junior stick flex rating is 50.
- A lower flex helps develop proper shooting mechanics, allowing young players to transfer their weight into shots.
- Using a stick that is too stiff can lead to poor shooting habits and difficulty handling the puck.
To ensure good form and skill development, always choose a junior stick that matches your child’s strength and playing ability.
Intermediate Stick Flex (For Teens & Smaller Players)
Some hockey brands offer intermediate sticks, which act as a bridge between junior and senior sticks. These sticks are ideal for teenagers and smaller players who need a balance between flexibility and power.
- Intermediate flex ratings typically range from 60 to 65.
- These sticks are slightly longer and thicker than junior sticks but still more flexible than senior sticks.
Senior Stick Flex (For Adults & Stronger Players)
Senior sticks are designed for adult and high-level players who generate more power in their shots. These sticks have the highest flex ratings, requiring more force to bend.
- Senior sticks generally start at a flex rating of 70 and can go up to 100+, depending on player preference.
- They provide maximum shot power but require strong technique and force to utilize properly.
Finding the Right Stick Flex for Growth & Development
While stick height remains relatively standard within each classification (junior, intermediate, senior), players can choose from different flex ratings to suit their strength and play style.
Ensuring a child or teen has the correct stick flex from an early age will help them build proper shooting form, puck control, and confidence on the ice.
Should You Choose a High or Low Flex Hockey Stick?
While the general rule is to divide your body weight by two to determine an appropriate flex rating, personal preference and play style also play a role.
General Stick Flex Guidelines by Weight
- Junior sticks (Flex 50) → Best for youth players up to 100 lbs
- Intermediate sticks (Flex 65) → Ideal for players around 130 lbs
- Senior sticks (Flex 85) → Suited for 165-175 lb players
Most senior sticks fall within the 80-85 flex range, but some models come in lower flex ratings (70-75) for players who prefer more whip in their shots.
When to Adjust Your Stick Flex
Although the half-body-weight rule is a solid starting point, stronger players over 175 lbs don’t necessarily need a 90+ flex stick. A higher flex stick is stiffer, meaning it requires more force to bend and can reduce shot power if a player isn’t able to load it properly.
Understanding High-Flex (100+) Sticks
- Sticks in the 100+ flex range are extremely stiff and often marketed as “stiff models.”
- These are typically harder to find and are best suited for elite-level players with exceptional strength.
- If a stick is too stiff, it can hinder shot mechanics, making it difficult to load and release powerful shots.
What Flex Stick Do Most NHL Players Use?
Most NHL players fall within the 190 to 210 lb range and typically use stick flex ratings between 95 and 110. However, it’s important to remember that professional players train extensively to maximize their strength, shot power, and technique—allowing them to handle stiffer sticks effectively.
What About Recreational Players?
For casual or beer league players, there’s no strict rule that says you must use a flex rating close to half your body weight. Many non-professional players perform well with the standard 85-flex stick, which provides a balance of power and versatility.
What hockey stick do most NHL players use?
Bauer has the most popular sticks in the NHL. Data dating back to 2022 suggests that the Bauer Vapor Hyperlites is the most popular stick in the league. They are also one of the most expensive sticks.
Remember, even though it’s the most popular stick in terms of the percentage of NHL players using it, the vast majority of the NHL uses other sticks. There are a wide variety of sticks, and players must find one that fits their overall style.
Test Your Stick Before Buying
The best way to determine the right stick flex is to test it before purchasing.
On the ice: Try different flexes using your teammates’ sticks to see how they impact your shot power, accuracy, and puck control.
As previously discussed, starting with a stick flex rating close to half your body weight is a solid guideline. If you’re unsure, a senior stick with an 85 flex is a safe, versatile option for most players.
How to Test a Stick’s Flex
- Grip the stick naturally as you would when taking a wrist shot.
- Apply pressure with your lower hand, leaning some of your weight into the stick.
- Evaluate the flex:
- If the stick doesn’t bend at all, it’s too stiff.
- If it bends too much, feeling overly “whippy,” it’s too flexible.
- It should have a natural flex—not as soft as a rubber toy, but not as rigid as unbendable steel.
Consider Stick Length & Cutting Impact
Once you find the right flex, remember that cutting your stick shorter increases its stiffness. A longer stick will feel slightly more flexible. Keep this in mind when making your final decision.
Use In-Store Testing Stations
Many hockey equipment stores now feature shooting stations where you can test sticks before purchasing. If your local store has one, take advantage of it.
Additionally, knowledgeable sales staff can observe your shooting technique and recommend the best flex based on your style.
Does Cutting a Hockey Stick Change Its Flex?
Yes—cutting a hockey stick shorter increases its stiffness. The stick’s flex rating will rise, making it harder to bend when shooting.
Why Does Cutting a Stick Affect Flex?
A shorter stick doesn’t change the material, but it shifts your hand placement, reducing the leveraged area used to flex the stick. Since there’s less length to absorb force, the stick becomes stiffer.
Most manufacturers include flex adjustment markings near the upper quarter of the shaft. These indicate the new flex rating if you cut the stick to different lengths. Even cutting just a few inches can significantly alter the flex.
How to Test Stick Flex Before Cutting
If you plan to cut your stick, you can simulate the change in flex by:
- Choking up on the stick—hold it where it would be after cutting.
- Testing the flex at that new grip point.
- Adjusting accordingly—if it feels too stiff, consider a lower flex rating before purchasing.
What Happens If You Add Length?
Extending your stick with a plug will have the opposite effect—it lowers the flex rating, making the stick more flexible than its original flex number.
The flex you should use is a matter of personal preference
Flex can also be a matter of each player’s play style. It can depend on your position, how often and in what style you take your wrist and snapshots, for example.
The type of shooter you are
If you take a wrist shot more traditionally – by drawing your arms back and shooting with your arm strength – you would likely be more than fine with an average flex rating for your weight group.
However, other players who prefer snapshots to wrist shots will rely more on flexing their stick when shooting.
Players who prefer snapshots lean more into the stick, so they may look for a flex rating lower than their weight would suggest. This type of shot almost appears as though the player is “slingshotting” or “whipping” the puck toward the net with their stick.
NHL sniper Phil Kessel is known for leaning into this type of snapshot with an especially weak flex.
The position you play
Wingers tend to take more quick wrist shots and snapshots, which they aim to get off quickly from the sides of the ice. A lower stick flex rating can work to their advantage. It allows for a faster snapshot – a quick shot with the flick (or “snap”) of the wrists rather than a full wrist shot that cradles the puck back before releasing it.
Centremen have to battle around the offensive and defensive nets more than wingers do. They also engage in a stick-strength battle on every faceoff.
For these reasons, centremen may prefer to use a stiffer stick and more resistant to force. A weaker flex-rating stick may be a minor disadvantage on faceoffs and puck battles.
Defensemen can usually feel safe using a slightly stiffer and longer stick. They are frequently involved in puck battles that can benefit from extra strength and length.
Defensemen also take more slapshots than forwards, and slapshots benefit from a stiffer flex – but still, this is not an unbendable flex.
Some players prefer a very stiff flex for truly powerful slapshots. Some NHLers will even test the limit of how hard a flex they can tolerate to maximize their shot velocity.
Former 6’9″ NHL defenseman – and long-time record holder for the league’s hardest shot – Zdeno Chara is notable for using an unheard of 150 flex stick. But his height and strength were an anomaly in the sport.
Summing It All Up
Hockey players looking to get the most out of their sticks should be attentive to a concern like stick flex rating. A proper flex rating lets you take your highest velocity and most accurate shot.
Stick flex ratings often depend on your position and your preferences, like how you like to shoot the puck. But dividing your weight by two is generally a safe bet for finding a compatible stick flex rating. Still, don’t be afraid to test different flexes when looking for a stick. Make sure you find one that what works best for you.
If you found this guide helpful, then you may also be interested in my guides below on finding the proper blade curve for your stick and seeing how much you can expect to spend.
