How to Size a Goalie Stick

It's important to have a properly sized goalie stick, as it will make everything easier. Your blade seals flat on the playing surface, your blocker sits in a natural position, and you can handle pucks without fighting the stick. The right size isn't chosen just on your height; it depends on your game-ready stance, butterfly position, and how you like to play the puck.

Paddle length is the primary measurement when it comes to goalie stick sizing, referring to the vertical section between the blade and the shaft. At IW, we measure the length of the paddle from the heel's point of contact with the playing surface to the start of the handle, which we call Universal Paddle Length. This is because one paddle length (ie, 25") can vary between brands. The chart below is a general sizing guideline and a good way to narrow down a paddle size range to start with.

It is most effective to have your skates, blocker, and leg pads on when trying out different paddle lengths. This ensures you know exactly how the stick will feel during gameplay.

Step 1: In your standing, game-ready position, grab the goalie stick where the shaft meets the paddle. The blade should be flush with the playing surface, and the blocker should sit flush with your leg pad. If the heel of the blade is lifting off the ground or your blocker is overlapping your leg pad, go up in paddle size. If the toe of the blade is lifting off the ground or your blocker has a significant gap between your leg pad, go down in paddle size.

Step 2: Next, drop into your normal butterfly position. The bottom edge of the blade should sit flat on the playing surface so it can seal the five-hole. Your blocker arm should feel natural and relaxed, with the blocker positioned in front of your body, neither too high nor too low. Look for a clean seal under your blocker arm as well: there should be only a minimal gap between your arm and body, and you should be able to stay square and stable without adjusting your hands to keep the blade flush.

Stick feels too tall:
If your paddle is too tall, your blocker hand will ride high, and your blocker arm will lift, which often creates a noticeable gap under the arm and can make it harder to keep the blade sealed. In that case, drop down one paddle size and re-test in your stance and butterfly.

Stick feels too short:
If your paddle is too short, you’ll feel like you’re reaching down. In that case, move up one paddle size and repeat the same checks until your blocker height feels natural and the blade stays flush without effort.

If you are between paddle sizes after checking your stance and butterfly positions, it's recommended to go down in paddle size.

What size goalie stick paddle length do I need?
With your skates, leg pads, and blocker on, hold the stick where the paddle meets the shaft. Get into your game-ready stance and then drop into your butterfly. In the game-ready stance, the blade should sit flat on the playing surface, and your blocker should rest naturally alongside your pad. In the butterfly, the blade should still lay flat while your blocker sits comfortably in front of your body without having to force your arm up or down.

How is a goalie stick paddle length measured?
Paddle length is measured from the top of the shoulder down the paddle to where the heel makes contact with the playing surface.

Is paddle size based on my height?
Using your height with a goalie stick sizing chart is a great starting point to help you narrow down which paddle size to start looking at. From there, it's important to check how the stick feels when in your butterfly and game-ready stance, going up or down in paddle size to ensure proper coverage and blade seal.

How should a goalie stick sit in my stance?
In your game-ready stance, the blade should sit flat on the playing surface, and your blocker should align naturally with your leg pad. You want a minimal gap under your blocker arm, with a comfortable, relaxed arm position.

How should a goalie stick sit in my butterfly?
In your butterfly, the blade should stay flat on the playing surface to seal the five-hole while your arm remains in a natural position. Your blocker should remain comfortably in front of your body with minimal gap under your blocker arm.

Should I size my goalie stick with skates on?
Yes, goalie skates change your stance height and angle, so testing in skates gives the most accurate fit and feel. Additionally, it's important to wear your leg pads for testing the fit in your butterfly and wearing your blocker to get a feel for coverage.

Why does paddle size feel different between brands?
Brands measure and shape goalie sticks differently, causing two sticks with the same printed paddle size feel different in your stance and butterfly. Always retest when switching brands.

How do I choose Regular vs Full Right?
Regular means you hold the stick in your right hand (blocker right, catcher left). Full right means you hold the stick in your left hand (blocker left, catcher right).

If I'm between two paddle sizes, which one should I pick?
It's recommended to choose the smaller paddle size, as it will be easier to maneuver the paddle in the butterfly and when playing upright.

Can I cut the shaft to make a stick fit better?
You can cut a goalie stick to shorten the overall height, but cutting doesn't change the paddle length. Cutting the shaft can help improve stickhandling mobility for passing. If the paddle is too tall and it forces your blocker hand too high, drop down to a shorter paddle size.