What Are The Benefits Of A Shorter Hockey Stick?

What Are The Benefits Of A Shorter Hockey Stick?

Short Hockey Sticks

Hockey sticks come in a variety of lengths and designs to suit player preferences. If the size and flex of the stick aren’t correct, then the risk of failure in performance is much greater. Therefore one needs to try out and test several lengths and sizes of sticks before they decide which one to purchase.

The benefits of shorter hockey sticks include easier handling and better puck control. Playing with them also makes it easier to have a bent posture for better balance and a faster pace. It is also easier for beginners to learn with shorter sticks as longer ones can get challenging to handle and control the puck with.

Typical lengths of hockey sticks are from about chest height all the way up to the eyes. Some people suggest that the stick should come just below the chin while measuring. This is also called the middle length.

Benefits of a Shorter Hockey Stick

The correct length of a hockey stick is essential for a player as it can change the way they will skate, shoot, and play the game. Even though stick length and type are dependent upon every individual player’s personal preference and playing style, shorter hockey sticks have some advantages over longer ones.

Knee Bends are Easier

While playing hockey, a proper hockey knee bend is vital to give the player a position to generate power to shoot. It is difficult to maintain this position with long sticks, while with shorter ones, it is easier to keep the stick blade flat. Also, with a good knee bend, players are able to attain more balance while playing as well as having good stride lengths and speed.

They are Easy to Handle

If a player is a beginner and is slow, then it is easier for him or her to handle the puck with a shorter stick. With more stick, there is more length to work with because the arm, acting as the lever, finds it hard to control the puck, and there are less smooth strikes.

Dangling is Easier

One can control the puck in closer to the body with shorter sticks; therefore, people who like to dangle prefer short lengths because the blade will lie flat close to the feet.

Shorter Sticks Can Also Help with Good Defence

It is generally agreed that longer sticks increase play defence; however, because of this idea, players depend too much on the stick to defend instead of learning defence without relying on the stick. Defence can also be maintained with angles of the body and learning to anticipate shots. Therefore, a good defenceman will be able to defend efficiently with a short or long stick.

Benefits of a Longer Hockey Stick

Just like short hockey sticks, longer ones also come with a set of advantages. They are preferred by some types of players, including defencemen and tall people.

They Provide More Flex and Reach

Longer sticks increase shot power because there is a lot of stick to flex. They also are less stiff than shorter hockey sticks. They provide the player with more reach, and there is a lesser chance to miss passes because they can reach out and grab them easily.

They are Preferred by Defencemen

Usually, the defence like longer sticks because they can reach further away and intercept passes. They are also better able to block shots and get bigger poke checks. They also get a lot of power and more stick with which to shoot the puck at the net.

They Cause Less Back Pain

You are likely to play the game with a more upright posture with a longer stick, unlike the bent one. Playing repeatedly bent down can cause back pain, which could be possible when playing with a shorter stick.

How to Correctly Measure the Length of a Hockey Stick

There are different ways to measure the length of a hockey stick, and these methods are different for beginners than for people who have been playing for a while. Since new hockey players have no personal preference or playing style, they should measure the length by putting on their skates and holding the stick up against their body. About chin height is a safe size for these players.

Players who have a particular playing style and are experienced can measure the lengths differently. If you are an aggressive skater who is going be bending a lot of knee while playing, then you should go for a shorter hockey stick because if the stick is long, then the heel of the stick would be the only thing touching the ground with the toe-off which would give you less puck contact.

Similarly, if you are a more upright player, then usually a longer stick will be better for you than a short one.

Factors to Keep in Mind When Getting a Hockey Stick

Companies provide with a variety of hockey sticks to choose from, and players have a lot of options that can fit their style and needs. Apart from the stick’s length, several other factors influence its performance and the preference of a player.

Height

Stick height depends on the individual height of the player. A tall individual would need a longer stick more often than a shorter person, but it also depends on the player’s skating stance. If you skate upright, you will need a longer stick while someone who skates bent over will need a shorter stick.

Grip

Hockey sticks are available with and without grip. Gripped sticks have a few variances; for example, one type of gripped sticks have ridges down their backs. If players prefer a smooth stick, they will go for sticks with no extra grip.

Blade Pattern

Blade pattern is mainly influenced by the personal preference of a player. It includes the length and openness of the blade and the depth of the curve. These all change the way a shot will roll off the blade and the way the player will be able to use a stick to its most effectiveness. Different patterns affect shots in different ways. Blade patterns are the most hands-on aspect of sticks, so one should go out and try a few before purchasing.

Flex

Flex is the number attached to how flexible your stick is. It means the amount of pounds needed to flex the stick one inch. Some stick lengths are only available in certain flexes. If you are a player who usually is taking slap shots, you will need a higher flexing stick because you will be putting a lot of energy, and the stick needs to be designed such that it kicks back.

Conversely, players taking quick release and tight shots will prefer a lower flexing stick so they can get more force through that stick without putting in too much energy. The flex on the stick is also going to be influenced by the length of it. Slap shots require higher flex and kick points, while low kick point sticks are more suited for snapshots.

Kick Point

Hockey sticks are also designed according to kick points. They come in types that are designed for mid, low, or super low kick points. Super low kick point sticks are more often used for a snapshot or maybe a wrist shot, whereas slap shots require a high kick point stick if the player is looking to get the most out of the stick.

Conclusion

There are definitely some advantages to shorter sticks for certain play styles. But in other cases, longer sticks would be better suited for the player. It really is a personal preference that will be the defining factor for what type of stick is used.

No particular stick prevents you from taking a certain kind of shot. It is just that some sticks are better suited to taking a specific type of shot, and that’s where they excel. It is also not problematic to have too long or too short a stick because either way, the stick can be altered by adding or cutting the stick according to the player’s needs.

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bbtr8qhMHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CScWrTbAFz4
https://markzarbohockey.com/2017/09/stick-length-can-change-everything/
https://eastcoastice.ca/blog/2017/02/07/the-importance-of-proper-stick-length/
https://www.purehockey.com/c/how-to-fit-a-hockey-stick