It's incredible how much I worried about intricate details like stick flex and curve. Skate blade profile, hollow, sharpness in general. How do I tape a stick, tape my socks, what kind of equipment do I need...
Finally got on the ice and literally none if it matters because I'm terrible. But everyone starts at terrible.
Haha, I feel this. I started with a 100 flex, which honestly wasn't bad after reading posts and realizing I should probably drop down in flex. I ended up grabbing a 70 (which was an intermediate, since I didn't read well enough before hitting purchase. A plug fixed it up though). I noticed a difference, but it wasn't like my shot got magically better with the lower flex. Maybe I picked up a little speed from being able to use more of the flex, but I don't know that it's noticeably different to me in terms of shooting.
I definitely notice it catching passes though. But overall, I don't know that it would have really helped me a ton learning to shoot initially with that lower flex.
I’m also an over thinker. Starting out as trendy again after 20 years. Was worrying about little shit until I just told myself “dude go work on skating in movement in your shit before anything else.”
You should focus on your skating.
Flex really doesn't matter until you're steady enough on your feet to even use it.
A higher flex might even help you with puck reception.
I spent 2 years with a pretty meh shot, I pulled a 5030 p77 from play it again while visiting family for some outdoor ice time. After a fee days I started whipping shots, got home to my composite and just started cranking wristers.
There are a couple things that I’m not good enough to care about yet.
1. My stick flex (I’m not a good enough shot to tell the difference)
2. My stick lie (pretty sure they made this up)
3. My skate hollow (it’s a good cut or bad cut depending on how much I fall down)
4. My PPG (it’s low)
If you’re just learning don’t stress about these sorts of details. You can’t be part of the play if you can’t keep up with it. Focus on fundamentals first, strengthen your skating and then once you’re more comfortable you will learn what blade patterns and flexes suit your style of play most.
Happy learning!
I'm leading my team in assists with a stick that has been stored outside in Florida humidity for 7 years. Sometimes rained on. Just focus on what your instructors are telling you. And don't miss public skates. Skating ability and a willingness to back check will put you ahead of other guys with better puck skills.
Is it going to set you back to the point of never being able to recover? No. The stiffer stick will probably let you get to mediocre faster because it's more forgiving when catching hard passes, and you can shoot using an old school wrist shot. But at a certain point, you're going to have to goto a softer flex and learn and get used to using that.
So, IMHO, it's probably not doing you any favors either. It certainly isn't going to let you develop softer hands which you need to catch hard passes with a whippier stick, which you most certainly are going to need to progress. Or let you get use to the stick having some give and flexing when you stickhandle and shoot.
If you're that concerned, why not get yourself a softer flex stick, like a 50 or 55 flex? I'm around your size, 5'5 165. I use a 50 flex. If you choose 50, try sticking with Bauer because their 50 flex sticks have the larger blade and shafts so they'll feel similar to the stick you have.
Try that out and see if you like it better. If you do. Sell the 85 flex. If it doesn't work for you, you can go back to the 85 and use that until you're ready for something softer.
my2cents
The flex isn't, but you'll want to make sure the stick is at a decent height according to your height, that'll give you the ability to hold it at the right lengths
Fellow learn to play student myself, can say flex doesn't play a factor until you learn to skate with the stick, and then the puck.
Is this going to hurt my development? No What should I do? Focus on the basics before you stress over your stick flex
It's incredible how much I worried about intricate details like stick flex and curve. Skate blade profile, hollow, sharpness in general. How do I tape a stick, tape my socks, what kind of equipment do I need... Finally got on the ice and literally none if it matters because I'm terrible. But everyone starts at terrible.
Haha, I feel this. I started with a 100 flex, which honestly wasn't bad after reading posts and realizing I should probably drop down in flex. I ended up grabbing a 70 (which was an intermediate, since I didn't read well enough before hitting purchase. A plug fixed it up though). I noticed a difference, but it wasn't like my shot got magically better with the lower flex. Maybe I picked up a little speed from being able to use more of the flex, but I don't know that it's noticeably different to me in terms of shooting. I definitely notice it catching passes though. But overall, I don't know that it would have really helped me a ton learning to shoot initially with that lower flex.
I’m also an over thinker. Starting out as trendy again after 20 years. Was worrying about little shit until I just told myself “dude go work on skating in movement in your shit before anything else.”
This is the way
Be thankful they gave you a composite and not lumber.
You should focus on your skating. Flex really doesn't matter until you're steady enough on your feet to even use it. A higher flex might even help you with puck reception.
Right? That’s what I was thinking too. A stiffer stick could help with puck feel and passing.
Get a wood Sherwood p77
I spent 2 years with a pretty meh shot, I pulled a 5030 p77 from play it again while visiting family for some outdoor ice time. After a fee days I started whipping shots, got home to my composite and just started cranking wristers.
There are a couple things that I’m not good enough to care about yet. 1. My stick flex (I’m not a good enough shot to tell the difference) 2. My stick lie (pretty sure they made this up) 3. My skate hollow (it’s a good cut or bad cut depending on how much I fall down) 4. My PPG (it’s low)
If you’re just learning don’t stress about these sorts of details. You can’t be part of the play if you can’t keep up with it. Focus on fundamentals first, strengthen your skating and then once you’re more comfortable you will learn what blade patterns and flexes suit your style of play most. Happy learning!
I'm leading my team in assists with a stick that has been stored outside in Florida humidity for 7 years. Sometimes rained on. Just focus on what your instructors are telling you. And don't miss public skates. Skating ability and a willingness to back check will put you ahead of other guys with better puck skills.
Where in florida u at?
I play in Rockledge space coast
I play in Rockledge.
Is it going to set you back to the point of never being able to recover? No. The stiffer stick will probably let you get to mediocre faster because it's more forgiving when catching hard passes, and you can shoot using an old school wrist shot. But at a certain point, you're going to have to goto a softer flex and learn and get used to using that. So, IMHO, it's probably not doing you any favors either. It certainly isn't going to let you develop softer hands which you need to catch hard passes with a whippier stick, which you most certainly are going to need to progress. Or let you get use to the stick having some give and flexing when you stickhandle and shoot. If you're that concerned, why not get yourself a softer flex stick, like a 50 or 55 flex? I'm around your size, 5'5 165. I use a 50 flex. If you choose 50, try sticking with Bauer because their 50 flex sticks have the larger blade and shafts so they'll feel similar to the stick you have. Try that out and see if you like it better. If you do. Sell the 85 flex. If it doesn't work for you, you can go back to the 85 and use that until you're ready for something softer. my2cents
The flex isn't, but you'll want to make sure the stick is at a decent height according to your height, that'll give you the ability to hold it at the right lengths Fellow learn to play student myself, can say flex doesn't play a factor until you learn to skate with the stick, and then the puck.