The hockey stick is certainly among the most important pieces of equipment for players on the ice. It helps you score the puck, pass the puck, and even take the puck away from opponents. While all hockey sticks might look similar, this is not the case.
Hockey sticks come with different flex levels, are made by different brands, and even come in different sizes. But how can you choose how tall your own stick should be? Well, it largely depends on your height, play style, and even the position you play.
The size of your stick can have a big impact on your game on the ice, and it can be very noticeable to go from playing with a tall stick to a short stick. I generally have preferred a taller stick, and it instantly feels different when I use one that is even a little shorter.
Keep reading to learn how tall a hockey stick should be, and how to discover the perfect size for you.
How Tall Should Your Hockey Stick Be?
Thankfully, the way to learn the right size of stick for a player is quite easy. There is a simple guideline for determining how tall your stick should be. You begin by standing up straight with your skates on.
Next, stand the stick up on the toe of its blade in front of your body. The butt end of the stick should reach somewhere between your chin and eyebrows, often right around your nose. If this is the case, the stick is a suitable size and should be comfortable to play with.
However, these rules are not perfect, and may not work for everyone. Some players simply prefer playing with a taller or shorter stick, even if they aren’t the right size according to the aforementioned guidelines.
Tall vs. Short Sticks
So what are the actual differences between playing with a tall stick vs. a short stick? Well, a tall stick gives you more reach, and is great for blocking shots, disrupting passes, and generally playing a good defensive game. Also, longer sticks can often generate more power in shots.
Because of this, these sticks are generally preferred by defensemen and other physical players who take pride in their defense. On the other hand, a short stick is great for quick dekes, and the lighter and shorter stick can be moved with much more precision and speed.
These aspects make shorter sticks commonly used by shooters and passers, as the shorter stick gives them more freedom, and keeps the puck closer to a player’s body for even better control and possession of the puck.
A player that is a “jack of all trades” will often use an average stick as it is adept at both the offensive and defensive parts of the game. If you’re not sure which you prefer, consider playing with all of them to see which feels the best and most natural.
Common Stick Length Mistakes
While the process for learning the approximate stick size you should use is simple, there are still some common mistakes being made in regards to hockey stick lengths. If you are buying a stick for your child, you might want to buy them a larger stick than they need, so they can grow into it.
However, this is generally going to have bad results. Playing with a stick that is far too big and can be uncomfortable, which could lead to your child growing frustrated with the game itself and beginning to resent it.
Also, if you buy a stick that is far too big, be careful about trimming it down to size. The shorter you trim a stick, the stiffer (and less flexible) that stick will become. An inch or so is fine, but any more than that will generally impact the feel and performance of the stick.
I hope this guide has been able to help you learn a little more about how tall a hockey stick should be for best results. Each player is different, but there are certain guidelines you can use to get a good idea of the size you should use.
Is there anything I missed that you think would have been beneficial in this guide? If so, I would love to hear from you in a comment below!
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