# Influence of Physical Properties of Hockey Stick Blade on Shots

## TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the physical properties of hockey stick blades, modified by different tape types, significantly influence shot performance, with sticker covers enhancing speed, rotation, and energy.

## Contribution

It reveals the substantial impact of blade surface properties on shot effectiveness, comparing traditional tape and sticker covers in high-speed hockey shot analysis.

## Key findings

- Sticker covers increase shot speed, rotation, and energy.
- Physical properties of blade covers significantly affect shot performance.
- High confidence in the differences observed between tape types.

## Abstract

Parameters of a shot of an ice hockey player are mostly determined by the capabilities of the player and the physical properties of the stick used. To reach better performance, every hockey player uses also a hockey tape for an adjustment of the stick blade, that changes both the damping properties as well as the friction coefficient of the blade surface. To show the unexpected extent to which these physical properties of the blade affect the shot, we compared two types of blade cover: traditional tape (rolled onto the blade) and a blade sticker that adheres to both sides of the hockey stick blade. We analysed high-speed recordings of two types of shots by 13 players, ranging from amateurs and junior players to NHL superstars. The two covers differ greatly in friction coefficient and stiffness, which results in significantly (more than $99\%$ confidence) greater speed, rotation and energy when using the stiffer and rougher sticker.