HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HOCKEY STICK FLEX AND CURVE - MATT REDMOND

[@Aldodragon]

I know this video is old but I’m going to try this I’m 13 and I’m wanting to get into hockey for the first time and i wanted to know how to pick the right flex so i guess just cut my weight in half and get that flex which would be 40 thank you so much dude

[@RedmondsCorner]

Well don’t just grab that flex cause it’s half your weight. If you’re new to hockey you might need more flex. Where are you located? If you have a good store nearby they should be able to give you direction. If not DM me. Best of luck!

[@Aldodragon]

@@RedmondsCorner ah ok thank you man your awesome the closest store I have is dicks sporting good but there are others maybe I’ll try those

[@giampaolofini1535]

Personal opinion: all young players should use the PM9/Modano curve to start (with the only maybe exception being the p88/Lindros) . PM9 teaches the fundamentals well, keeps shots low, , passes are accurate, stick handling is predictable, makes everything on the backhand easier and more effective and the low lie will teach better skating posture. Gretzky and Crosby both use low lie, flat-ish blades with mostly closed faces and as a result were as dangerous on their backhand as their forehand, agile and low-to-the-ice skaters, supreme distributors of the puck, etc. If kids start out using a P92 they might be too one-dimensional, skating upright too much and always handling it close to the feet, never using their backhand, trying to toe drag every time and just try to snap shot every time they touch it. P28/McDavid and the Ovi curve are even worse in that regard, terrible stick for kids just learning the game- that's a curve for advanced players (particularly sniper-type wingers).

[@hunter_pgh]

150

[@mhicaoidh1]

Gretzky and Crosby were dangerous because of their freakish level of hockey prone genetics, and the skills honed from hours and hours of practice. Not because of their stick blades. Pro players use the blades they do because they suit the style of game they prefer to play. Not because it makes them "better players". Also, playing the puck further away from your body, or closer to your feet largely comes down to your natural skating stance, and where you hold your hands. Also, the stick lie (which is tied to the curve pattern in most consumer sticks) determines how the blade will sit on the ice ... all the blade you mention typically come in all the same lies (4, 5, and 6). So, the blade choice is largely irrelevant to that. It might be easier for a kid to start on a PM9 because it's flatter, but that doesn't make it better than a P92 ... which is a "jack of all trades" type curve. It does everything reaonably well. A kid that can pass and shoot with a P92 can do so with most any other curve. A kid that has only used a PM9 would have to relearn some things to use any of the "modern" curves.

[@TheEnergyball]

Great quick guide. On trial and error- I agree that one needs to feel things out for themselves. What is the best way to do that short of committing $150 each time? I’ve trialed a few sticks before finding my preferred flex…now coming back to dial preference in curve. I had a P28 I enjoyed but was too stiff a flex and I kept dropping passes because of the rocker on the blade. I have been using a P92 that solves that but the blade doesn’t feel as exciting. Wondering about staying with the same blade or going back to the P28.

[@mishasaratovtsev7370]

My cousin is 380lbs, what flex do you recommend? I told him the weight watchers flex is good start. Thank you for the video.

[@vaocl]

😭😭😭

[@ballscocky9626]

Gawd muthafuckn damn 380?

[@RedmondsCorner]

Tough one. Glad to hear hes playing hockey! Obviously he wouldn’t use a 190 flex. This is a good example of flex vs ability. If he’s new to the game he probably isn’t leaning into shots like an experienced player would be. Start with a 77. He’ll start out taking more wrist shots and eventually if he starts taking slap shots he might need to move up in flex. Hope this helps! Thanks for the questions!

[@dude4173]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Kdaileyy]

Just bought a house that’s right next to a hockey rink used to play when I was a kid and now I’m 32 6ft 3 189lb what would best fit me?

[@RedmondsCorner]

@@Kdaileyy 75 an you’ll snipe!

[@kevinmorrice]

for me, i just bought the cheapest stick my shop had as a teen, a sherwood featherlite with a pp77, things still going strong all these years, the real way to pick a stick is check your bank and hope the shop has something cheap enough

[@Eli-b7o9h]

So my son is 600 pounds 😮 what flex should I do 😅

[@curtmartens458]

Im 6'2" 250 lbs. Getting back into hockey. Flex?

[@Matt-fu5ty]

You’ll be fine with 100/105

[@kachino82]

Will this one help you backcheck? LMAO!

[@fantasiaisadore6121]

im a girl tryna start hockey again n my hockey stick my weight is 120 Ibs I need a hockey stick my height and it’s 5’5 or 5’4 maybe help to choose what’s the best for me?

[@mhicaoidh1]

Your weight is irrelevant. How strong you are is what matters. Your body weight won't help you flex the stick, your upper body strength (arms and shoulders) will. I would recommend an intermediate level stick in the 40 - 50 flex range.

[@jacksonshields4247]

Just saying dont necessarily measure from the eyebrows it depends on how much the kid is going to bend down while skating

[@RedmondsCorner]

Well every player skates differently for sure. If they come into the store our go to is eyebrows. If we see them play and think they need a few more inches cut off then we will let the parents know.

[@RedmondsCorner]

Sure but most store aren’t going to know how the kid skates right? So we cut it at the eyebrows and if the coach wants more off we can always adjust

[@jacksonshields4247]

Ok thanks for the response

[@ceyco1]

Science says it's more like collar bone/top shoulder can look at mostly every nhl player standing up right all the same way. My personal opinion haha Still good video

[@reubenhason1123]

I just got a stick that is big on me and I want to cut it but I don’t want the flex to go down what should I do ???

[@RedmondsCorner]

Tough one. Rule is 3 flex per inch. So if you have a 70 and cut it 3 inches it’s now a 79 flex.

[@undogable9116]

just cut it a little it shouldnt hurt the flex but dont do it to mush

[@mhicaoidh1]

The flex doesn't change when you cut down a stick. The leverage you have on it does. Cutting the end off a stick doesn't magically alter the materials in the kick point that determine the sticks flex rating. It's the fulcrum point that changes. So, just alter slightly where you place your lower hand if you want to maintain the same flex, or just play normally because you probably won't notice any difference. "Cutting a stick changes the flex" is just as much a myth as "you choose your flex by taking half your weight."

[@noahsainvilier1017]

Cool

[@riain-dm9hj]

Good job

[@asdfkhieee]

Cool so I need a 150 flex stick. Now who sells those?

[@ethansenn414]

what if i’m 110 but i’m 5’8 and can’t get a 55 flex

[@RedmondsCorner]

Most stick manufacturers make a 55 flex. The half your body weight is just a starting point for young kids getting into the game. Obviously if you’re 350 pounds you don’t need a 125 flex.

[@RedWings80]

LMAO eat more and hit the gym

[@buckwelljohnson3168]

Biggest marketing gimmik in the industry. If you think a $300 stick will make you a better player, you are sorely mistaken. What type of stick did Gretsky use? Give Crosby enough time with a wooden stick and he'll perform magic. The hockey equipment industry plays perfectly to parents wanting what they hear is "the best" for their kids. Stay mid range in everything and save the rest of the money for skills.

[@RedmondsCorner]

Why mid range? If it’s all a marketing gimmick then just go back to the $20 Louisville Slugger stick. There is absolutely no argument that the composite sticks today don’t perform better than wood ones.

[@v4v819]

@@RedmondsCorner Of course you say that you're on the payroll... But what would you say if your youtube ad revenue and sponsors wasn't paying you 100K/week!

[@mhicaoidh1]

@@v4v819 they'd say the same thing ... because they're right. The OP, and you, are just wrong. Modern sticks are obviously far superior to older wooden or aluminum sticks. But, there's tests that have been done (they are even available via Google search) that show how superior they are. Not only are shots harder and puck feel better, the kick points are now tailored to specific styles of play, and the sticks are consistent from stick to stick ... something wooden sticks could *never* claim.

[@myothercarisadelorean8957]

Agreed! I've been playing since I was 9. I'm 40 now. My stick budget is anything under $200 given current inflation. These sticks $200+. Most are in the $300 now GTFO! At that price range the only difference is the stick is probably super light weight but the reality is you do not need a stick that light. Sticks in mid level price range are comfortably light weight already.

[@luckyreed1152]

Playing since I was 4 and I'm 50 now. The cheap sticks today are 10 times lighter than what I grew up with. I wait for coupons and hit the clearance racks! lol@@myothercarisadelorean8957

[@undogable9116]

thanks this helped alot i did this a year ago and it kinda work but i have a good hocky stick now and why does he sound mean like he wasnt smileing or nothing

[@Ben-r2b]

I’m 5,3 weight 130 55 flex

[@alexoborne5419]

My stick without skates is around my forehead is that too long

[@mhicaoidh1]

Unless you are a defenseman that likes the longer reach and prefers to play the puck well away from your body ... yes.

[@andrewmiller6780]

Give him a wood twig throwback

[@jamesbond-us9vb]

3

[@oskifv]

I cut my stick to my lips not on skates, am I weirdd

[@RedmondsCorner]

No way man. Not at all. This is just for kids learning. Once a player starts getting more experience they develop their own preferences. I know players who cut their stick well below their chins and also players who cut them above their heads.

[@mhicaoidh1]

Tying body weight to flex is ridiculous. Upper body strength, leverage (height and stick length), and preference will give you the flex you want. Yes, it will take some trial and error and playing experience. Consider a 230 lbs adult beer league player with average upper body strength (doesn't lift at gym). Is he able to bend a 115 flex stick like he would need to in order to benefit from it? No way. That 230 lbs player likely would need a 70 flex. Kids' sticks have less flex because they are weaker ... not because they are lighter. Please stop spreading the "half your body weight" myth. A fat weak kid needs less flex than a lighter, stronger kid. Not more.

[@RedmondsCorner]

For kids man. 400lbs guy isn’t using a 200 flex. “General rule” for 6U, 8U. Meant for kids learning and maybe their parents have no experience and need some guidance. ☮️

[@mhicaoidh1]

@@RedmondsCorner I get it. Using adult weights just makes it easier to illustrate. But, it doesn't work with kids either as you even show in your video. You take the kid's weight of 100, half it ... come up with 50 flex, then throw that out to choose a 40 flex stick because that what he prefers. I would wager most kids his age and weight prefer a 40 flex to a 50. My point is ... there needs to be a better method presented to parents that is more informative and tailored to the actual player. Sure, "half your weight" will get you a stick in your hands ... but so will just pulling one off the rack ... and you don't really know any more with either method. Edit: to that end, here's a video where a guy gives *good* information tying flex to height and strength ... not weight... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iamlepqkiN6SZ6M

[@gravenewworld82]

Heh, you try being a shorter stockier dude. It is awful, because you get penalized with the short man tax. I’m about 5’5” and a solid 172 lbs (Nathan Gerbe kinda build). The intermediate sticks have the more appropriate length, but the flexes almost always top out at 60-70. Far too low. You are stuck buying a senior size and have to lop off 4-6”. Even if you buy a 70 flex senior, the adjustment will boost it to almost 90 flex. Many senior sticks can only be found at 75 or above flex, meaning after adjustment you’re getting to almost 100 flex due to the short man tax. Sigh….nothing I can really do. In the end, hyperfocusing on all of the specs of your equipment won’t make you a better player. A player who has better skating ability and better hockey IQ who knows how to position themselves on the ice with a crappy stick os going to be better than any bad hockey player with the best stick in the world. No one cared about any of this flex and blade curve stuff when I played as a kid. Most goals were dirty rebound punch ins anyway. I know we all dream of ripping shots from the top of the circle like we are Ovi or Matthews, but that rarely happens in most amateur hockey. I can hit the puck forward with a $40 stick with 80% effectiveness as I can with the perfect $400 stick.