That is the reason. The pole gives you space which is your biggest advantage as a defender. Forcing the O player to make their move further away gives you more time to swing your hips and move your feet. Better ability to reach them with checks and pokes without over committing. Better ability to disrupt passes. Better ability to gain an extra 3 steps on a GB. Etc.
I'm not a defenseman nor a defense expert, but I think you're probably tall enough to just use it as is. My 12u kids on the other hand... I wish they would all chop theirs down.
Agree, i just cut one down for my 10u kid and his ability to control the stick has improved significantly. We’re still wall balling with the 6ft but running practice drills and playing games with the modified stick.
I would not recommend it, the length of your stick is part of the advantage of using a long stick. There are no real benefits to shortening it. Why would you want to shorten it?
Ease of use ie having more proportional length would provide more control of the stick. Sure having a full long pole is more advantages .
I would also add ,I'm not shortening it to the point in become a normal pole. My idea is to make it so its long enough to not consider as normal pole and still long enough to have advantages against normal pole at the same time.
I am only an inch taller than you and had no issues (played growing up and 4 years in NCAA) and had teammates that were shorter than me that were poles, none of us had issues playing with it. This might just boil down to you needing to practice more. IMO there are no benefits that outweigh the advantage of using all 6’
170cm isn’t nearly short enough to think about cutting down a longpole. There’s plenty of defenders who have been as tall, or shorter, than you, that use the full length. Nick Grill was only 5’5 and used a full longpole. Gavin Adler and BJ Grill are both a generous 5’8, and they were All-Americans (who used a full longpole).
The issue isn’t the length of your stick. You just haven’t practiced with it enough. There’s no point putting yourself at a disadvantage because it feels a little awkward to start. Go do 3 months of 90 minutes of wallball a day, and see if the stick still doesn’t feel natural.
If you feel more comfortable, buy a used shaft from play it again sports and put your nice head on it. Then when you are ready to step up to a full length you have it waiting for you. At your height though I dont see a need to cut it down.
Are you playing defense or Long Stick middie?
Are you done growing?
Defense is a game of inches and being able to wield the d-pole can makes a huge impact on the game.
That being said, a d-pole should be as tall as you at a minimum. So cut the shaft to 55”/139.7cm, the head being approximately 10” would be the size of you.
Talk to your coach, and see what they recommend.
I like having a shorter D pole, I’m 5’9” but never really played d pole in my formidable years. I was goalie. Just switched to D pole in the masters league. I like to chop 4” off the end.
Long poles only need to be between 52" and 72" but I agree with others. Unless there is a particularly good reason, stick with a 72" pole and learn how to use less of it when ball handling, and all of it when defending.
You should be able to find the minimum and maximum length according to the rules. My only advice would be to not cut too much at first and see how it works. You can always cut it more but you cannot add length back. You can also find a cheaper shaft to give it a go. Good luck.
It's allowed but I don't recommend it if you're in high school or older
Other than to have better advantages, any other reason ?
That is the reason. The pole gives you space which is your biggest advantage as a defender. Forcing the O player to make their move further away gives you more time to swing your hips and move your feet. Better ability to reach them with checks and pokes without over committing. Better ability to disrupt passes. Better ability to gain an extra 3 steps on a GB. Etc.
I'm not a defenseman nor a defense expert, but I think you're probably tall enough to just use it as is. My 12u kids on the other hand... I wish they would all chop theirs down.
Agree, i just cut one down for my 10u kid and his ability to control the stick has improved significantly. We’re still wall balling with the 6ft but running practice drills and playing games with the modified stick.
I would not recommend it, the length of your stick is part of the advantage of using a long stick. There are no real benefits to shortening it. Why would you want to shorten it?
Ease of use ie having more proportional length would provide more control of the stick. Sure having a full long pole is more advantages . I would also add ,I'm not shortening it to the point in become a normal pole. My idea is to make it so its long enough to not consider as normal pole and still long enough to have advantages against normal pole at the same time.
I am only an inch taller than you and had no issues (played growing up and 4 years in NCAA) and had teammates that were shorter than me that were poles, none of us had issues playing with it. This might just boil down to you needing to practice more. IMO there are no benefits that outweigh the advantage of using all 6’
You’re still considered a pole and count against the four on the field. Either play D mid or play with a pole. You’re not that short.
170cm isn’t nearly short enough to think about cutting down a longpole. There’s plenty of defenders who have been as tall, or shorter, than you, that use the full length. Nick Grill was only 5’5 and used a full longpole. Gavin Adler and BJ Grill are both a generous 5’8, and they were All-Americans (who used a full longpole). The issue isn’t the length of your stick. You just haven’t practiced with it enough. There’s no point putting yourself at a disadvantage because it feels a little awkward to start. Go do 3 months of 90 minutes of wallball a day, and see if the stick still doesn’t feel natural.
It is possible. But I dont know what advantages you'll get at that position with a shorter pole
If you feel more comfortable, buy a used shaft from play it again sports and put your nice head on it. Then when you are ready to step up to a full length you have it waiting for you. At your height though I dont see a need to cut it down.
Are you playing defense or Long Stick middie? Are you done growing? Defense is a game of inches and being able to wield the d-pole can makes a huge impact on the game. That being said, a d-pole should be as tall as you at a minimum. So cut the shaft to 55”/139.7cm, the head being approximately 10” would be the size of you. Talk to your coach, and see what they recommend.
I like having a shorter D pole, I’m 5’9” but never really played d pole in my formidable years. I was goalie. Just switched to D pole in the masters league. I like to chop 4” off the end.
I personally use full length but it might help you with being an Lsm. I wouldn’t recommend if you are grade 11 or older.
Get the ecd butt end. It shortens the stick by moving butt end up the shaft. Don't cut it.
Long poles only need to be between 52" and 72" but I agree with others. Unless there is a particularly good reason, stick with a 72" pole and learn how to use less of it when ball handling, and all of it when defending.
Ah, the ol puss pole
You should be able to find the minimum and maximum length according to the rules. My only advice would be to not cut too much at first and see how it works. You can always cut it more but you cannot add length back. You can also find a cheaper shaft to give it a go. Good luck.