Flex is a measurement of how stiff a stick is, or how much it bends when you take a shot. A lower flex suits players who like wrist shots with a quick release, while a higher flex provides more power for slap shots and is often preferred by defensemen. No matter your skill level, the right flex affects your stick feel, and since cutting a stick makes it stiffer, length adjustments should be done with care.

How Do I Choose the Right Hockey Stick Flex?

A common rule of thumb is that an adult player should choose a stick with a flex rating close to their body weight in pounds, or about 45% of their body weight in kilograms. For example, a player who weighs 80 kg can start with a flex of about 75. But the most important factor is always feel. Choose a stick that you can easily bend and load for a shot. It shouldn't feel too soft or too stiff.

What happens if my flex is too low or too high?

• Too low flex = more bend but a risk of less precision.
• Too high flex = harder to load the shot, especially for younger or lighter players.

How Does Flex Affect Different Types of Shots?

A lower flex usually provides a faster release on wrist shots, while a higher flex is better suited for slap shots with more power.

Is Flex Affected by Cutting the Stick?

Yes, when you cut the stick, it becomes stiffer. You lose some of the designated flex the more you cut. Generally, the flex increases by about 5 units for every 5 cm you cut.

How Does Flex Affect Youth and Junior Players?

For youth and junior players, it's important to choose the right flex to get a good start in hockey. Junior and youth sticks have a lower flex, usually between 30 and 55, which is adapted for younger and lighter players. If your arms are weaker, a softer stick will help you generate speed in your shots with less force. Flex also affects the type of shot you get the best results with; a lower flex is especially good for wrist shots where a quick puck release is important.

How Does Flex Affect Amateur Players?

For adult recreational players who play mostly for fun, flex is not a make-or-break factor, but the right stick stiffness can still make a big difference in stick feel. A stick with the right flex provides better control and shot precision, which makes the game both more fun and more effective. You can test which flex suits you by bending the stick against the ice and feeling if you can easily load a shot. It shouldn't feel too soft or too stiff. If you've accidentally bought a stick that is too stiff, there's unfortunately no way to make it softer, but you can avoid cutting it too much or switch to a model with a lower flex.

How Does Flex Affect Elite or Professional Players?

For elite and professional players, the choice of flex is a tactical detail that's adjusted to their playing style and position. Many forwards consciously choose a lower flex than recommended to get a faster puck release and better control on quick shots. Even small differences, such as adjusting the flex by 5 units up or down, can have a big impact on the feel of the stick and the shot's precision. Position also plays a role: defensemen tend to choose a higher flex (90–110) to be able to fire off powerful slap shots from the blue line, while forwards often prefer a lower flex (70–85) to get faster and smoother shots in tight spaces.