Question, can you spin fast on icehockey skates? I would think it is theoretically possible, but I heard that only figure skates can do this. Is that true?
We needed to order another batch of journals for our goalies. I'm quite happy with the new redesign.
Discussion
I don't think so.
The hockey skates' are optimized to change direction quickly, with tight turns and stops/starts. The blade at the toes is rounded, and is shorter than a figure skate.
Figure skates are optimized for smooth skating and balance. They have a pick at the toes, to maintain the same point of contact, when spinning.
Is it then guaranteed that you will slip without this toepick?
It's physically possible, I don't see why it wouldn't be. However, I don't think it's practically doable. If that makes sense?
Also, it depends on what we mean by "spinning". Are we talking a couple spins, or multiple spins while maintaining the same point of contact like figure skatera do?
The latter one. If there is only one contact point on the ice blade, I would think it would be feasible. What if someone only practised spins on icehockey blades, I think that the ones movements would be tailored to the iceblade of hockey skates.
I don't think that the method that figure skaters use (skating backwards) would work with icehockey skates, but I would suspect that with a different technique tailored for hockey skates, you can get the same results.
You can spin in hockey skates but it is much harder. Figure skates have a wider blade and are sharpened with a shallower hollow. This creates less drag in their spin. Hockey skates have a thinner blade and have a deeper hollow.
Ice skates have whats called a radiud, its the shape that runs from the heel to toe of the blade. This determines how much blade is in contains t with the ice at any given time. Hockey players have to be able to turn a corner really tight and fast vs a figures skater who tend to take wider turns in order to set up for jumps and spins. Hockey skates have a tighter radius so less blade on the ice.
Next is the body position over the skate blade itself. Figure skaters skate more up right so they are more centered between the back of the ball of the foot and the front of the arch, hockey players have deeper knee bends and skate more towards their toes and the front of the ball of the foot.
Spinning in hockey skates is very awkward, your weight is too far forward. I have to stand more on my heels, once mastering that balance you can try to go faster using basic physics. Centripetal force, start with arms and free leg away from your body and slowly bring them in closer to go faster.
To really go fast though having a new radius put on the skates and having them sharpened with a shallower hollow is needed.
Hope that helps a bit, unfortunately I have to run😊
