Curve Selection Program

[jjtt99 0]

Does anyone know if there is some kind of curve recommendation program or web site? Before I get jumped on, I know curves are personal etc. but it would be fun to type in certain inputs and have a computer calculate a recommended curve.

For example, you could fill in:

Height

Weight

Position

Shot strength (i.e. accuracy)

Shot weakness (i.e. velocity)

Style of play

Etc.

Then a program would come out with the top 3 curves you should try.

Has someone already been there done that? Often my great ideas tend to be a couple years old.

Just wondering. And I hope this hasn’t been covered already. I did a search on curve and saw lots, but nothing with this in the title.

Cheers,

JT

[Chadd 916]

There's no way to have a program pick a curve for someone with any accuracy. Things like lie could be, if you were to enter in stick length and height at the shoulder while skating, but even that is subject to preferences.

[bulletproof_funk 0]

I agree with Chadd, there are alot of factors that go into what blade lie is right for each person. Too many variables like posture and comfort, plus not everyone is proportioned the same (longer legs, etc.). As for curves, I'd probably play with the same blade at any position except goalie while others might want a different pattern altogether. Then there's always the pending pattern database.

[wolveshockey10 0]

I know for golf clubs companies can watch you swing on machines and then make you a custom made set of clubs (my dad had it done with Titalist). I wonder if you can or ever will be able to do that with hockey sticks.

[Chadd 916]

umm, the only comparison to golf clubs is the lie and you can tell that by looking at the wear pattern on your tape. With golf clubs you have face angle and lie on any given set of clubs, length is based more on height than anything else.

[Whip 0]

Style of Play: Simple but inaccurate

Deker/Dangler: Toe Curve

Complete player: Mid Curve

Pointman with big shot: Heel Curve

There is no way a program could choose what will work best for you its how you play the game. For example Datsyuk a really good puckhandler and he doesnt use a toe curve the last time I checked he used a slight heel so you see it would just be fun to see how messed up the program is but in terms of accuracy its not gonna work.

If you wanted something like it maybe try the Curve Selection Tool on Epuck it kinda has describitons and what the curve "works best for". Probally your best bet.

[Cavs019 710]

There really is no way to decipher what curve someone "should" be using. Im a "deker/dangler" however you want to put it, but i use a Drury.

[Perry94 0]

go out and buy a couple of wood blades...then decide

[joshy207 15]

A lot of guys who are great passers/playmakers have very slight heel curves, like Oates and Larionov.

It's mostly personal preference, some curves will help or hinder your play, but if you use something long enough, you'll eventually adjust to it.

[Racer8 0]

While the reality is that curve selection is really too complicated to base on a handfull of components, a computer program that dealt with curves would be a cool idea. I'd love to see a program that allowed a person to design a custom blade and see how the puck would virtually shoot off of it.

[jjtt99 0]

Interesting comments. With so many curve patterns out there I feel at a loss to try to figure out what works best for me through trial and error.

Trying a variety of curves could be timely and costly, not to mention I'm too shy to go up to a stranger during stick and puck and ask if I could try their stick out for a while. I guess I should bug teammates, but we don't practice a lot, mostly just games.

Right now I have a CCM Recchi curve. It's a mid, moderate, close angle curve. I play centre. I'm not bad at receiving or giving a pass, but my shot needs work.

- Slapper is always low -- off the ice 4 inches at best, which isn't a terrible thing.

- Wrister with velocity comes in at waist level so a goalie can easily stop it with their blocker or glove. If I fire a wrister aiming for top shelf, I end up taking speed off and it often goes over the net. Honestly, it's more of a flick really. Grrr.

- Snap shots are fun during stick and puck (but also low). In a game situation, never happens. Mental block I figure.

- As for backhands, does anyone really ever know where they're going to end up?

So, failing a magic curve solution for me I'll guess I'll have to practice practice practice!

[Chadd 916]

Is the tape wearing evenly across the bottom of your blade? Low shots are usually a result of shooting mechanics, strength and/or incorrect lie.

[jjtt99 0]

Hey Chadd. Wears out on the heel, to about the middle of the blade. Toe seems to get no wear, but I thought that was pretty common.

From what I understand, if it was all heel wear, and didn't come close to the middle then that would be an indication. What do you think?

[Chadd 916]

If it was only on the heel and didn't come to the middle you would need a drastic change in lie. As it is a slightly lower lie may help you, but your main issue is probably technique. A blade that is slightly more open could help as well, if you want to elevate your shot more.

I carry my bottoom hand fairly low on my stick, that forces my shoulder to drop and my shots tend to go up. Slappers are usually a bit worse than wristers for me as I grip lower on slappers. I use the same motion for snappers and saucer passes, it helps improve my release on both.

[SB39 2]

There's also teh hero factor; Pavel Bure i sone of my favorite players of all time, and I started using his Bauer curve, now I can only use mids... ehh, I guess I'm a complete player...

[Sniper#39 0]

People are right - so much of what makes a curve work for each player is reliant on the mechanics of said player.

The only way to find a curve that works unfortunately is to experiment with different ones - throwing the baby out with the bathwater (trying to change technique) because you want to use a specific pattern is not the route I think anyone would suggest.

[Chadd 916]

People are right - so much of what makes a curve work for each player is reliant on the mechanics of said player.

The only way to find a curve that works unfortunately is to experiment with different ones - throwing the baby out with the bathwater (trying to change technique) because you want to use a specific pattern is not the route I think anyone would suggest.

I don't suggest changing technique, unless it's poor. If you do have to change technique, do so at the direction of a coach who can watch you shoot and make that determination. You should be able to shoot anywhere you want with whatever curve you are using.

[Sniper#39 0]

Sorry Chadd - didn't mean to imply you were suggesting changing technique - merely trying to back your comments up.

[Chadd 916]

Sorry Chadd - didn't mean to imply you were suggesting changing technique - merely trying to back your comments up.

I should have been more clear about having a coach helk out in the first place, it's all good.

:D

[thejackal 46]

Interesting comments. With so many curve patterns out there I feel at a loss to try to figure out what works best for me through trial and error.

Trying a variety of curves could be timely and costly, not to mention I'm too shy to go up to a stranger during stick and puck and ask if I could try their stick out for a while. I guess I should bug teammates, but we don't practice a lot, mostly just games.

Right now I have a CCM Recchi curve. It's a mid, moderate, close angle curve. I play centre. I'm not bad at receiving or giving a pass, but my shot needs work.

- Slapper is always low -- off the ice 4 inches at best, which isn't a terrible thing.

- Wrister with velocity comes in at waist level so a goalie can easily stop it with their blocker or glove. If I fire a wrister aiming for top shelf, I end up taking speed off and it often goes over the net. Honestly, it's more of a flick really. Grrr.

- Snap shots are fun during stick and puck (but also low). In a game situation, never happens. Mental block I figure.

- As for backhands, does anyone really ever know where they're going to end up?

So, failing a magic curve solution for me I'll guess I'll have to practice practice practice!

I would suggess a lower flex. I could shoot fine with a Easton Typhoon 80 flex but I'd have bad days where slappers woudnt want to get off the ice with a stiffer CCM V40.

[jjtt99 0]

There's also teh hero factor; Pavel Bure i sone of my favorite players of all time, and I started using his Bauer curve, now I can only use mids... ehh, I guess I'm a complete player...

Pavel a complete player? I live in Vancouver so I got to watch him lots of times. Definitely fun, but far from complete!

Hockey, like most sports, is a game of constant tinkering for improvement. That's probably why we're all here!

I agree with the stick flex suggestion, I'm a light weight so it makes a lot of sense to bring on the flex to help with my shot, but again, something I'd like to test drive before I commit the cashola as I wouldn't want to sacrifice my good face off skill or ability to receive passes.

Gotta love the relentless pursuit of perfection!!

[SB39 2]

Pavel a complete player? I live in Vancouver so I got to watch him lots of times. Definitely fun, but far from complete!

I meant that since I can only use mids that I am a complete player, but thanks for the vote of confidence.

[Cavs019 710]

The tech is a fairly simple concept. Follow through to where you want the puck to go, finishing with your weight on your lead foot. Curve should be irrelevant. Practice makes perfect, wasting money on new sticks to act as a crutch to the problem doesn't.