It’s the 2011 NHL Skills Competition. The crowd is cheering as Zdeno Chara stands calmly, waiting for the go ahead to shoot the puck in the slapshot competition. His fellow All Stars from various teams across the NHL kneel on one knee in anticipation, waiting to see the 6’9 Slovakian blast the puck into the open net. Chara get’s the go ahead and speeds towards the puck. He winds up, and with a burst of power shifts his weight on 
the downswing as the stick blade collides with the puck sending it flying into the net. The radar gun registers 105.9 miles per hour, the hardest slapshot ever recorded in history. His fellow all stars applaud by tapping their sticks on the ice as the crowd goes nuts. As hockey fans, we sit in awe wondering how this is possible. We are going to take a look at the physics behind the slapshot.
A good slapshot is all about technique, timing and equipment. Like most movements in sport the better the technique the better the outcome of the movement. Technique includes timing. For instance, it takes timing to hit a 98 mile an hour fast ball. The slapshot is no different. What also comes into play is the kind of stick the pros use to get the intended results. This will be analyzed as we move on.
The slapshot requires a huge wind up which gives the stick speed. The power of the shot is in the weight transfer from the wind up all the way to the follow through. This means that the physical strength of the player needs to be in the core muscles such the low back, abdominals, hips, and thighs. The stronger these muscles are, the more of a potential for a harder slapshot.
As the player brings the stick down on the downswing, the player will hit the ice. By doing this, the player will store potential energy by hitting the ice before hitting the puck. It seems like hitting the ice with the stick would slow down the shot by wasting energy. By hitting the ice, it gradually releases the potential energy stored in the stick like a slingshot it will actually make the puck fly faster than he can raise the stick. This takes timing hitting the ice three to five inches away from the puck.
Follow through is extremely important at this point. As the player follows through, the stick hits the puck and spins off the blade similar to a wrist shot. The average blade-puck for a professional is .38 milliseconds. The average force a pro puts on the puck is 100 pounds. As the puck is shot it spins in the air. The spin keeps the puck stabilized. The better the shot, the better the spin, making the puck soar at an excess of 100 miles per hour.
The hockey stick plays a big role in generating a powerful slapshot. There are two parts of the shaft of the stick that help in this role. The first is the flex number of the stick. The flex number is the amount of weight it takes to make the stick bend one inch. This number is listed on the stick. The higher the flex number is the more suited the stick is for a slapshot.
The next aspect of the shaft is the kick point. The kick point is where the stick will flex on the shaft. A lower kick point will help with stickhandling and a wrist shot or a snapshot, whereas a mid kick point is more designed for a slapshot.
The science behind the slapshot is very fascinating. As we have seen, it takes technique, timing and the right kind of stick to generate an NHL type slapshot. The next time you see a player such as Zdeno Chara or Duncan Keith take a shot from the point, you will know what goes into a goal scoring shot.
Related
I've delved extensively into the physics and mechanics of hockey, particularly focusing on the slapshot, which Zdeno Chara remarkably demonstrated during the 2011 NHL Skills Competition. His record-breaking 105.9 miles per hour slapshot showcased the culmination of technique, timing, and equipment.
Let's dissect the key components mentioned in the article:
1. Technique and Timing: A successful slapshot hinges on the player's technique and timing. Similar to hitting a fast ball in baseball, the timing of the swing is critical. The wind-up generates stick speed, and the transfer of weight through the swing maximizes power. This requires not just strength but a coordinated movement involving core muscles like the low back, abdominals, hips, and thighs.
2. Equipment: The hockey stick is pivotal. Two factors significantly impact the shot—the flex number and the kick point. The flex number, denoting the weight required to bend the stick one inch, influences its suitability for a slapshot. A higher flex number indicates a stick more conducive to powerful shots. The kick point, where the stick flexes on the shaft, differentiates sticks for various shot types. A mid kick point is preferred for a slapshot.
3. Utilizing Potential Energy: Contrary to intuition, hitting the ice before striking the puck stores potential energy in the stick, acting like a slingshot. This action, about three to five inches away from the puck, gradually releases the stored energy, contributing to the shot's velocity.
4. Follow-Through and Spin: A crucial aspect is the follow-through after striking the puck. This action not only imparts force to the puck but also induces spin, crucial for stability during flight. The better the shot, the more efficient the spin, propelling the puck at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
The amalgamation of these elements underscores the science behind a powerful slapshot. It's a meticulous interplay of technique, timing, and equipment that creates the spectacle witnessed in professional hockey, as exemplified by players like Zdeno Chara and Duncan Keith.
Understanding these mechanics enhances appreciation for the skill and precision required to execute a successful slapshot at the highest level of the game.
