Sticks

Question
Rob,
  I read your reply to a question regarding youth or junior sticks. You stated have them stand in tennis shoes and measure to his nose. Every time my son gets fited they have him stand on his tip toes and then measure to his nose, to make sure its right when he wears his skates. So I'm a little confused. Also, a jr stick comes to just above the tip of his nose in skates. I'm trying to determine when to move from youth to JR. He is almost 11 and 4'8" and about 100 lbs.

Jeff

Answer
Jeff,

Nope...sorry, you are correct.  Standing on the toes would be correct.  However, I Russian coach, who coaches 5 players to the NHL told me, that it is better to allow the stick to be just a few inches shorter because it forces the player to keep a deep knee bend, thus having more power in their stride, thus making him faster.  However, he made sure to cut all of the stick to just above the heart area.  Yeah, I wouldn't cut it that low.  Cut cutting it a few inches smaller would be better.  The nose thing is just standard to use.  But for him and his youth stick, I would say just want a few more months, then buy him the junior stick.

However, I have found that when I use a longer stick that is 3 inches higher then my nose...my shot is better...crazy isn't it.

Rob