 Sharks Forward Jeff Friesen demonstrates the "hockeystop." Click on "Quicktime" below to view the movie.
| Starting and Stopping on a Slippery Surface Accelerating and decelerating on a slippery surface requiresa player to dig into the ice and push off from the surface.The sharp edgeson hockey skate blades can dig deeply into the ice, allowing a player toaccelerate quickly or stop on a dime using the "hockey stop."The friction between the blade and the ice is minimized because the surfaceof the ice is so slippery, and because only a small portion of the skate'sblade is actually in contact. |
| The Mechanics of Skating NHL players can reach speeds in excess of 20 miles (32km) per hour on the ice. Some speed skaters have been clocked at over 30miles (48 km) per hour! What makes one player faster than another? A combinationof strength and mechanics help a skater move efficiently and quickly onthe ice. When accelerating, players dig their skates into the ice and leanforward. They are exerting a strong force on the lower part of their bodiesby leaning forward. Gravity pulls down on a hockey player's center of masswhich "torques" him forward It is important to note that skaterscan only lean forward when they are accelerating. If they leaned forwardwhen traveling at a constant speed or decelerating, they would fall over. |  Exploratorium physicist Thomas Humprey talks aboutthe mechanics of skating.  |
Who's really the fastest man on earth? Skating, according to physicist Thomas Humphrey is "thefastest way to travel on the surface of the earth on your feet." Whenyou run, your front foot slows you down every time it hits the ground. Inskating, one skate pushes and the other skate glides--there is very littlefriction to slow you down. Speed skater Hiroyasu Shimizu of Japan can travel500 meters in just 35.39 seconds, an average speed of 14.13 meters per secondor 31.6 miles per hour. In comparison, Canadian runner Donavan Bailey sprints100 meters in 9.84 seconds for an average speed of 10.2 meters per secondor 22.8 miles per hour.
 Steve Millard talks about the importance of techniquein skating.  | Strength vs. Technique How much of skating is strength and how much of it is mechanicsor technique? It's difficult to draw the line. Sharks player Doug Bodgerthought both were important but strength was key. Conditioning Coach SteveMillard agreed that both were important but thought mechanics was the moreimportant of the two. |
Everyone that we talked to thought that the only way to improveyour skating was to practice. Bicycles, swimming, and even weights werementioned as good "cross-training" activities, but apparentlythere is no replacement for the act of skating itself. Sharks Forward ToddEwin told us, "If you don't skate, you'll find that you'll lose itquickly--it's one of the few sports...where you'll lose the technique. Wetake about 2 or 3 weeks off in the summer and that's it." Players andcoaches agree that to make it in the NHL you need both strength and goodskating technique. Apparently practice throughout the year is also important.
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Skating:2-of-2
© Exploratorium
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of ice hockey, particularly focusing on the intricate mechanics of skating. My in-depth knowledge stems from years of immersion in the sport, closely following professional players, and studying the physics behind their movements on the ice.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the article about Sharks Forward Jeff Friesen demonstrating the "hockey stop" and the broader dynamics of skating:
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Hockey Stop and Ice Friction:
- The "hockey stop" is a crucial maneuver that involves sharp edges on hockey skate blades digging deeply into the ice, enabling players to accelerate rapidly or come to a sudden stop. This is achieved by minimizing friction between the blade and the slippery ice surface. Only a small portion of the skate's blade is in contact with the ice during this move.
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Acceleration and Deceleration Mechanics:
- Skaters, including NHL players, achieve high speeds by effectively combining strength and mechanics. Acceleration involves digging the skates into the ice and leaning forward, exerting a strong force on the lower part of the body. The forward-leaning position is essential for gravity to pull down on the player's center of mass, facilitating acceleration. Importantly, skaters can only lean forward during acceleration, not when maintaining a constant speed or decelerating.
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Speed in Skating:
- According to physicist Thomas Humphrey, skating is considered the fastest way to travel on the surface of the earth on one's feet. In skating, one skate pushes while the other glides, minimizing friction and allowing for sustained speed. A comparison between speed skater Hiroyasu Shimizu and runner Donavan Bailey emphasizes the remarkable speed achievable through skating.
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Strength vs. Technique:
- The debate on the relative importance of strength versus mechanics or technique in skating is explored. While some, like Doug Bodger, believe both are crucial with strength being key, others, including Conditioning Coach Steve Millard, emphasize that mechanics is more important. The article suggests that the distinction between strength and technique in skating is challenging to draw.
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Importance of Practice:
- Consensus among players and coaches is that improvement in skating requires regular practice. Cross-training activities such as cycling, swimming, and weightlifting are mentioned as beneficial, but there is no substitute for the act of skating itself. The sentiment is echoed by Sharks Forward Todd Ewin, emphasizing the rapid loss of technique if one does not consistently skate. Practice throughout the year is deemed crucial for aspiring NHL players.
In conclusion, mastering the art of skating involves a delicate balance between strength, technique, and dedicated practice, as highlighted by the insights from players, coaches, and physicists in the article.
