Oh I knew the flex generated power, though the way you described it is helpful to crystalize it in my mind. I like the image of "loading up" like you're loading a gun.
I'd be curious to see what kind of advice you give to the youngsters on how to use that flex power.
Personally I suspect my problem is that I have a longer leg, which gives me a much better weight transfer on one side, which is unfortunately not the good one. I see it when I go hit some golf balls (ambidext at golf). So my problem is not about using the flex per say, but about how should I go about loading it?
In any case this is all very interesting.
Always get them the right flex to start.
About half the body's weight and make adjustments for body type and strength after. A few years ago, I had one player show up with and adult's 85 flex stick that had been cut down. I placed it on the bench, had him stand on the thing, and it didn't budge! You shouldn't really have to lean hard on it to flex.
I can flex my 104 with only wrist power.
I focus on hands mostly, so here goes....
Bottom hand below the shoulder. Top hand out in front of the body -
you want the blade and puck behind your bottom hand. Just as you start to shoot, dip your should a few inches to start loading up. Once the blade gets past your bottom hand, it will unload. Your top hand should still be away from your body, so as the stick kicks, pull the top hand back like the top of a lever. That gives you the kick of the stick, plus the whip of you pivoting the stick in your bottom hand.
That's the base for me. Once they get that, we go into turning the torso, weight transfer and all that.
Tough to do this via written word... usually video the players and walk them through it looking at themselves lol.