Analyze my Tape Marks!

[theflash0000 0]

I've read in a few different places that you can learn things about your shot technique by looking at puck marks on your tape.

So, I put a fresh white tape job on my stick and went for a 1.5 hour stick-n-puck session this week. After taking a ton of shots (not sure exactly how many, probably 100-150ish), approx. 85% wristers, 10% snappers, 5% slappers, here's what my tape looks like:

My wrister is pretty hard for my level (low-mid C) and I don't have much trouble picking my corners. My main issue is having the puck flutter or even tumble on me. Anyone have any thoughts on what the markings might indicate?

Here is some more data to assist:

-Stick is Warrior Dolomite 70 flex (Int), Kovalev pattern (Warrior lie 5), stick is uncut from Intermediate length.

-My wrister is the more traditional variety--sweep back, cup puck, sweep forward, flick wrists

-I'm 5'8", 145 lbs, play center, usually skate medium-deep in my stance.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[chk hrd 164]

If the puck is tumbling or fluttering you are probably not turning your hands over

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

The only thing I've been able to tell from my tape is the wear on the bottom; which will help you figure out if the lie and length combination on your stick is right.

[Buzz_LightBeer 973]

My opinion is the lie is correct for your style, but perhaps your shooting form is off, like previously said.

[Chadd 916]

If the puck is tailing left to right it would be an indicator of a lie that is too high. Tape wear is really only good for checking on the lie and that would be on the bottom of the blade. It does seem like quite a bit of wear high on the toe of the blade. That is the only thing that seems abnormal to me and that would be with your shooting motion.

[markstmartin89 0]

no offense if you dont know your technique on how you shoot, thats not a good start. but i like the idea you tried with this alot. but if i was you try and shoot off the toe, most of the marks are coming off your toe. so wrist shots you sweep back with the toe kind of like a toe drag, and shoot forward, snap shot you just bring your stick in more towards your body so you can shoot off the toe. and slap shots you stay more towards the middle with those

[Jarick 5]

Chadd mentioned this once and I'm trying to find it, but he said something about if the lie was off the puck would end up tilting one way or another. Hopefully he (or someone who knows what they're talking about) chimes in.

EDIT: and he already did.

Chadd, to clarify, for a left-handed shot, if the puck is tilting down to the right (i.e. looks like "\") is that a possibility of too high a lie?

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, to clarify, for a left-handed shot, if the puck is tilting down to the right (i.e. looks like "\") is that a possibility of too high a lie?

I believe so. In the cases that I've seen it happen unintentionally, lie has been an issue for the the player.

[theflash0000 0]

If the puck is tailing left to right it would be an indicator of a lie that is too high. Tape wear is really only good for checking on the lie and that would be on the bottom of the blade. It does seem like quite a bit of wear high on the toe of the blade. That is the only thing that seems abnormal to me and that would be with your shooting motion.

Would that indicate that I need to turn my wrists over more, as someone else above suggested? Or is there some other defect in my motion I should pay attention to?

no offense if you dont know your technique on how you shoot, thats not a good start. but i like the idea you tried with this alot. but if i was you try and shoot off the toe, most of the marks are coming off your toe. so wrist shots you sweep back with the toe kind of like a toe drag, and shoot forward, snap shot you just bring your stick in more towards your body so you can shoot off the toe. and slap shots you stay more towards the middle with those

Thanks, these are interesting suggestions. I'll give them a try next time I skate (which should be tomorrow morning). That could be a bit of an adjustment for me since I'm used to stick handling with the puck close to the heel of the blade and loading and shooting from there, but I'm always willing to try something new

Chadd mentioned this once and I'm trying to find it, but he said something about if the lie was off the puck would end up tilting one way or another. Hopefully he (or someone who knows what they're talking about) chimes in.

EDIT: and he already did.

Chadd, to clarify, for a left-handed shot, if the puck is tilting down to the right (i.e. looks like "\") is that a possibility of too high a lie?

I haven't really been paying attention to this, but I will now. Thanks for the info!

[markstmartin89 0]

Thanks, these are interesting suggestions. I'll give them a try next time I skate (which should be tomorrow morning). That could be a bit of an adjustment for me since I'm used to stick handling with the puck close to the heel of the blade and loading and shooting from there, but I'm always willing to try something new

No problem man try it out, shooting off the toe will change the angle you shoot on net and youll actually start to score more often too.