NOT ALL HOCKEY STICKS ARE THE SAME
With hockey stick prices going thru the roof, it is imperative that you purchase the right stick
for your player. When shopping for the right stick there is a lot more involved than picking a
favorite color, one that matches your team color, or because a fellow teammate has it and “Likes
it a lot”.
Here are some questions you NEED to ask before you purchase a stick.
• What is the Lie?
• What is the curve pattern?
• What is the flex?
Hockey stores and outlets will heavily discount irregular size lies, curves, and flexes to move
thru high inventory levels. The reason the inventory levels are high is because the regular size
sticks have already been picked thru. Most times clerks are instructed to move thru this
inventory.
NOT ALL HOCKEY STICKS ARE THE SAME
THE LIE MATTERS!
Let us look deeper into this and see if I can help to educate the majority of people who are
buying the improper stick lie for their skating and playing style. First, the price really plays
no factor in whether the stick will help you to score or not. If you do not have the proper
lie, flex, length it will not matter if the stick cost you $100.00 or $300.00. With my recent
research I have noticed that some stick companies have done way with displaying the sticks
lie on the stick itself, but some companies still display it on the upper portion of the shaft.
The hockey stick lie refers to the angle of the blade in reference to the shaft. Typical lie
values range from 4-7 with most sticks near 5.5. The majority of players will play with a 55.5 lie; this however does not mean it is for everyone. Players look for a lie that will place
their blade flat on the ice while they are in their typical skating stance. What you want to
do is pick up a stick, grab it in your playing position and get into your skating stance with
the stick on the ground or ice. Now look at how much stick blade you have on the surface.
If you see lots of light under the toe or heel of the blade you have the wrong lie. Keep
trying different sticks, different models, and different blade patterns until you find the one
that covers the surface with minimal light showing under the toe or heel of the sticks
blade.
Without a doubt, the lie is the most important aspect of a stick because it affects how much
blade is on the ice for a particular type of skater and player. Do not feel pressured by the sales
associate who is trying to sell you a stick based solely on the fact so-and-so in the NHL is using
it. If this should occur perhaps consider spending your money elsewhere at a place who
understands how important the stick lie is to handling the puck and shooting the puck. Your
overall stick handling and proper puck control will improve when using the proper stick lie for
your skating and playing style. The length of your hockey stick will also play a role in finding the
correct lie. If you find the correct lie and cut off 4 inches it will bring the blade closer to you
and your blade will be mostly on the toe. If this happens then your lie is too low. If you start
with a stick that has the correct lie and add inches with a stick plug it will move the blade
further from your body and your blade will be mostly on the heel. If this happens then your lie
is too high. A lower lie is for the player who likes to skate lower to the ice or in a forward
leaning position or players who use a longer stick. Higher lies will keep the puck closer to your
body and is preferred by more upright skaters or skaters with shorter sticks.
To know if you are playing with the proper lie now, check the
bottom of the blade on one of your well used game sticks. If
most of the wear is on the heel, choose a lower lie. If most
of the wear is on the toe, choose a higher lie. If the tape is
evenly worn across the bottom of the blade you have the
right lie for your skating and playing style. - See more at:
http://itsourice.com/adams-take-onlies/#sthash.LC3X2ndp.dpuf
HOCKEY STICK CONVERSION CHARTS
LISTED ON THE FOLLOWING SLIDES
ARE BRAND CONVERSION CHARTS
BASED ON NHL PLAYER NAME
AND HOW THEIR STICK PATTERNS
CONVERT OVER TO YOU
YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND REVIEW
OTHER BRANDS IF NEEDED!
NOT ALL HOCKEY STICKS ARE THE SAME
STICK FLEX
STICK FLEX GUIDE
With all the different sticks available on the market, it can be hard to
choose the right one. Not only are there many models, but curves
and flexes can also be a challenge. Picking the right flex is a crucial
step. If a player picks a stick that is too soft or too stiff they will not
be able to load the stick efficiently. This chart was developed to help
guide players, by using two simple criteria, weight and height.
STICK FLEX GUIDE
THE POINT OF THIS IS TO GIVE YOU SOME QUICK
INFORMATION TO USE WHEN YOU SHOP FOR YOUR NEXT
HOCKEY STICK, OR IF YOU THINK YOUR HOCKEY PLAYER MAY
BE HAVING ISSUES WITH THEIR CURRENT STICK. IF YOUR
PLAYER IS HAVING PROBLEMS SHOOTING, STICKHANDLING,
OR CATCHING PASSES PART OF THE PROBLEM MAY BE THE
STICK.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK
AND FIND THE CORRECT STICK FOR YOUR PLAYER. FROM
THERE YOU CAN DECIDE ON COLORS AND SHOP FOR DEALS!