Question for D-Men under 6' tall...

[Visirale]

Do you guys cut down your stick to your height? I've played with the full length for over a year now... Today our new coach said that I'd be a lot better if I cut the stick down to my height. His logic made sense, so we introduced his saw to my STX Ti... In about 2 minutes, my stick was about 8 inches shorter.

Don't kill me.

I'm 5'8'', and now I can control my stick so much better. I can guard it much more effectively with less stick exposed. My stick skills were greatly increased just by this tiny change. Sure, I gave away 8 inches of my radius... but I think I'll make up for it in better stick skills.

I talked to my friend who plays hockey, and he said they do the same thing with their sticks.

Let me know what you think...

[WickedDpole21]

my coach made me do that. but it was with a platinum alloy, not a good pole..

[Led_Zeppelin]

How long was your stick to begin with? Most D-poles they sell nowadays are 60'', which is well under 5'8''.

[bigDman]

yes but if you add the head its above 6'

[dram183]

if you add the head its close to 5 10 because basiclaly every head made nowadays is 10inches

[Visirale]

My stick had at least 3 or 4 inches on me. I'm not some tiny kid, trust me. I may be 5'8'', but I'm also 190, and not fat. I always found it extremely difficult to run with the ball, because I always had that extra 4 inches protruding from behind me or above my head... and since I'm not tall, it wasn't hard to check above me.

Now it's a lot easier to protect it.

We'll see how it goes at practice tomorrow.

[shiftylax]

I cut mine at my first camp when I was 16 and never looked back. I'm also 5' 8'', so I feel your pain.

Although, I don;t play pole anymore it did help me with ym stick skills and force of my checks.

[Led_Zeppelin]

if you add the head its close to 5 10 because basiclaly every head made nowadays is 10inches
Oh, right :imparied:

[a2lacrosse]

ehh, not all defenders are going to be 6 ft tall, i dont think its worth it to cut your dpole. I know plenty of like 5'9 defenders that are amazing with there full lengths, i think its more of you getting use to it then the stick changing for you. thats just my opinion

[HdGLaxWarrior]

Plus you're still growing. I wouldnt do it til you stopped growing.

[stegmakk]

I am just under shifty's height and I play D/LSM...
When I first started with an old bulky aluminum pole I had it cut down...I think now looking back that the main reason was to get me comfortable with a long pole...
Now I play with a regular full size shaft...

Bottom line is that you have to do what you feel more comfortable with and what you play better with...
I WOULD suggest that once you have played a while with your cut shaft you try to use a full one...

[BuckWyld]

I am about 5'7" and I have always played with the full length pole.

[D-Unit]

I started with a full length shaft, but I couldnt really control it. So I ended up cutting it down for my first year playing. All my checks were like 2 inches short, and it was very frustrating, So I eventually just went out and bought another full size shaft. I have never cut down another stick since then.

[laxman359]

ive never cut my shaft and coaches have said it might help but i like the feel of a full length