WHAT IS FLEX ON A FLOORBALL STICK?
Flex (or “shaft flex”) indicates how much the shaft bends when you put pressure on it. A lower flex number means the stick is softer and bends more, while a higher number means the shaft is stiffer. The measurement is given in millimeters and is based on how much the shaft bends under a certain load (e.g., 23 mm, 27 mm, 32 mm).
HOW DOES FLEX WORK IN THE GAME?
Flex affects how much energy you get in your shot and how much control you have over the stick. A lighter player needs a softer stick to take advantage of the shaft’s bend, while a heavier player generates more power and should have a stiffer stick to avoid losing precision.
WHO SHOULD HAVE HIGHER OR LOWER FLEX?
· Soft shafts (30–36 flex): suit juniors, beginners, and lighter players (children, youth, some women). More bend = more help with the shot.
· Medium flex (26–29): suits technical players and recreational players who want to combine ball control with shooting power.
· Stiff shafts (23–25): for heavier, stronger, or experienced players with powerful shots and good technique who can utilize the flex in the shaft.
WHICH FACTORS AFFECT THE CHOICE OF FLEX?
1. Body weight – A rule of thumb is: the heavier you are, the stiffer stick you need.
2. Playing style – Fast technical players often want softer shafts. Shooting players often choose stiffer ones.
3. Position – Defenders often play with stiffer sticks for power, while forwards prefer lighter and softer for speed and technique. Not always, but generally.
4. Level – Beginners often benefit from softer flex that helps with technique and can assist in the shooting moment.
EXAMPLES OF FLEX BASED ON WEIGHT
|
Player weight |
Recommended flex |
|
< 50 kg |
31–36 |
|
50–70 kg |
29–31 |
|
70–90 kg |
26–29 |
|
< 90 kg |
23–26 |
(Note that this is a general guideline and should be adjusted depending on technique and preference.)
CAN I NOTICE A DIFFERENCE OF A FEW FLEX POINTS?
Yes, definitely. The difference between flex 25 and flex 25 is obvious for most players. A stiffer shaft requires more power to be able to bend, compared to a softer flex that requires less to be able to “use” the torque in the shaft.
