What Is Kick Point on a Hockey Stick?

Published by Stick Fit Hockey

Kick point describes the region or profile of a shaft designed to load during a shot. Low, mid, and hybrid designs offer different release feels. Start with a manageable flex and playing length, then compare the loading style you prefer.

A flex profile, not a hinge

A shaft bends across a region; it does not fold at a tiny fixed joint. Kickpoint labels summarize how a manufacturer designs that response. They help organize a comparison but cannot predict the exact feel of every shot you take.

CCM's kickpoint guide distinguishes low, mid, and hybrid profiles. Manufacturers generally describe low profiles around quick release and mid profiles around fuller loading. These are design intentions, not a guarantee that one stick will produce a faster or harder shot for you.

Compare low, mid, and hybrid

The names are not standardized performance scores. A hybrid from one line may feel unlike another hybrid, and two low-kick sticks can still differ in shaft shape, blade feel, balance, and flex. Compare the exact configuration you would buy.

There is no rule that forwards must use low kick or defenders must use mid kick. A player at either position may release in a hurry, pass frequently, or prefer a more deliberate shot. Your actual motion is more useful than your position label.

Keep kickpoint separate from flex

Flex asks how stiff the shaft is; kickpoint describes its loading profile. Buying a low-kick stick with a rating you cannot comfortably load does not automatically solve that mismatch. Likewise, a mid-kick label does not require choosing a stiff senior model.

Read how to choose flex before using kickpoint as the deciding factor. If you cut a stick, evaluate the final playing length as well. A change in length may affect the feel you are trying to attribute to the profile.

For a new recreational player, learning a controlled release with a comfortable setup is a reasonable priority. You can develop a preference between profiles later without treating the first choice as permanent.

Test the shots you actually use

1. Choose comparable sticks with similar flex, length, and curve.
2. Try a few controlled shots with short preparation and a few with more time.
3. Notice timing and comfort, not just where the hardest single attempt goes.
4. Receive passes and handle the puck before switching back.
5. Record which motion felt easier to repeat, including any differences in specifications.

If every stick produces inconsistent contact, the comparison may be testing technique more than equipment. Use the weak-shot checklist or ask a coach to watch your release before buying.

A demo is most informative when you keep the task consistent. Shooting from a different surface, using a ball instead of a puck, or changing your footwear can make a stick feel different without establishing anything about its kickpoint.

Choose within your budget

A desired profile does not require the most expensive model in a manufacturer's line. Confirm the exact stick's listed kickpoint instead of assuming that all models sharing a family name have identical construction.

The beginner value guide explains why weight, materials, and fit are separate buying considerations. Choose a configuration you can use and replace comfortably, rather than buying a premium badge and hoping it improves your mechanics.

Our assessment uses your loading feedback and release preference to suggest a profile, then matches real sticks from the catalog. Use those candidates to narrow the comparison; the final choice should still make sense in your hands.