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The Physics of the Hockey Stick

Curvature Curvature has a large role to play in the design and use of a hockey stick. "One of the key features of a hockey stick that affects puck control is the curvature of the blade, which acts as a type of self-centering mechanism.  When the puck is struck the curvature of the blade "forces" it towards the bottom of the curve, where it tends to sit for the brief duration of impact before flying off.  This allows a player to make more consistent shots since the puck tends to fly off the same part of the blade every time. " - http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com - http://galleryhip.com The larger curvature a stick's blade has the easier it is to apply spin when shooting the puck, which provides gyroscopic stability when in the air. Many famous players use specific curves which they've adapted for the way they play.

"Lie" and "Loft" The lie of the blade is the angle the blade if the stick makes with it's shaft. This is important because to provide the greatest possible force on the puck when shooting, the blade must lie flat on the ice. The lie of the stick will be different for many players because it depends on each persons specific height and their preferred stick length. - http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com The loft, also called the face, is the angle the the blade is tilting when looking downwards from directly above. The greater the tilt is, the easier it is to lift the puck into the air.