Video A.J. Chavar/The Washington Post; Graphic by Bonnie Berkowitz and Todd Lindeman/The Washington Post
The slap shot
Ovechkin is a big (6-feet-2, 234 lbs.), speedy skater who accelerates quickly, so all that force adds to the velocity of the puck when he shoots. His slap shot hovers around 100 mph and is a go-to shot for power plays when one fewer player is between him and net; seven of his 11 slap shot goals came on power plays. In addition, he scored 10 goals last season with a "slap-wrist" or "snapshot" -- a hybrid with less windup and more wrist action than a true slap shot.
Action and reaction
Even if he sees the windup, a goalie cannot react to a 100-mph slap shot from 25 feet or less. All the goaltender can do is try to obstruct as much of the goal as possible using the butterfly stance.
For some perspective, a batter facing a 100-mph pitch released from 60 feet, 6 inches away has an eternity to respond -- .37 of a second -- compared to a goalie facing a 100-mph slap shot from 25 feet (.17 of a second).
The wrist shot
Ovechkin's wrist shot is his most effective shot, because he combines a lightning-quick release with a dose of trickery. He will fake a shot to get the goalie to commit to one direction before he fires the shot in another. He also has the patience and skill to wait until a defender skates into the goalie's line of vision, using the goaltender's teammate to screen the shot for him.
Action and reaction
Because human reaction time is, at best, .10 to .20 of a second, a goaltender will be unable to react to a 60-mph wrist shot fired from 15 feet or less.
Given the intricacies and dynamics outlined in that piece about Alexander Ovechkin's hockey prowess, it's clear we're delving into the physics, tactics, and biomechanics of ice hockey. As an enthusiast and someone with a background in sports science, let's break this down.
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Ovechkin's Physical Attributes: His size and speed play a pivotal role. Standing at 6-feet-2 and weighing 234 lbs., his physical stature contributes significantly to the power he generates in his shots. Physics dictates that force equals mass times acceleration (F=ma), so Ovechkin's ability to accelerate quickly amplifies the force he can apply to the puck.
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Slap Shot Technique: Ovechkin's slap shot is a spectacle, clocking around 100 mph. He capitalizes on power plays, exploiting the reduced number of players between him and the net. His ability to harness the quick accelerationand transfer that force into the puck's velocity is crucial here. Additionally, he incorporates variations like the "slap-wrist" or "snapshot," a hybrid with less windup and more wrist action, which adds unpredictability to his shots.
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Goalie's Challenge: The article underscores the immense challenge goalies face. Despite seeing the windup, reacting to a 100-mph slap shot from close range (25 feet) is nearly impossible within .17 of a second. This comparison to a batter facing a 100-mph pitch from a farther distance emphasizes the sheer speed and split-second decision-making involved for a goalie.
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Wrist Shot Mastery: Ovechkin's wrist shot is arguably his most effective. He combines a lightning-quick release with deception, faking shots to manipulate the goalie's movement. Moreover, his patience allows him to time shots when defenders inadvertently screen the goalie, obstructing their view and increasing the shot's chances of success.
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Human Reaction Time: Understanding human reaction time is crucial here. A goaltender facing a 60-mph wrist shot fired from a close range (15 feet or less) has virtually no chance to react within the .10 to .20-second window. Ovechkin exploits this limited reaction time to his advantage, making it incredibly challenging for goalies to anticipate and block his shots effectively.
In summary, Ovechkin's mastery of various shot techniques, his understanding of goalie reactions, and his ability to capitalize on split-second opportunities make him a formidable force on the ice. Understanding the physics behind his shots and the limitations of human reaction time helps appreciate the sheer skill and strategy involved in his gameplay.
