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Physics of a Hockey Shot

During break, I attended my brother's Christmas hockey tournament. After watching many games, and analyzing the playing tactic of each player, I was able to apply my knowledge of projectile motion and kinematics to the shot range of each player. Of course, many factors are considered in analyzing the type of shot of each individual player. These factors include the curvature of each player's stick, the friction between the stick and the ice, the angle of shot, the backspin applied to each shot, the grip tape applied to each individual stick, and of course, the force and body swing that is put into each shot.

A diagram expressing the angle, or curvature of a shot can be demonstrated as so:

This image also shows how the use of kinematic variables is used to define each individual shot, using formulas for velocity and magnitude:

Velocity = change in distance / change in time
Magnitude = velocity @degree of angle
      - initial velocity is the magnitude of the player + the magnitude of the shot*
      -  final velocity is the magnitude of the puck after certain period of time or distance




The angle of shot is an important aspect to the type of shot a player must take in a certain situation:
     1. Short Angles (0 deg. - 30 deg.)
     2. Moderate Angles (30 deg. - 60 deg.)
     3. Steep Angles (60 deg. - 90 deg.)



There are three main types of hockey shots that correspond to these three angles:

     1. Chip Shot = Shots that are typically used to score "top shelf" or when a goalie is laying/sitting down. These are quick shots and do not require a big swinging motion from the body. These shots correspond to the steep angles on the left. Lasting only a short distance in the air, the point of the chip shot is to quickly get the puck to the top shelf of the goal before the goalie has time to react.

     2. Slap Shots = These shots correspond to the short angle diagram on the left. Because these shots are typically the highest velocity shot, the body motion and release time often takes longer for a player to wind up the shot. The puck stays low to the ice and travels far, meaning that the shot must be powerful enough to travel far while only staying a short time period in the air.

     3. Wrist Shot or Snap Shot = Wrist shots correspond to the moderate angle pictured above. As a defensive player, my brother uses slap shots almost always to effectively clear the puck from one side of the ice to another. The shot reaches a medium height, while staying a long distance in the air to maximize distance. These shots usually reach medium velocity and are effective and accurate for targeting shots.


This image shows the wind-up pattern of a player ready to take a shot:


https://www.hockeyshot.com/shooting-tips/wrist-shot

Video Demonstration of a Chip Shot:

Video Demonstration of a Slap Shot:
 

Video Demonstration of a Wrist Shot:
 


 Works Cited:
https://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-hockey.html
https://www.hockeyshot.com/shooting-tips/wrist-shot

















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