The CAG Profiler is a revolutionary innovation that was inspired by the physics of Speed skating. Speed skaters use long flat blades to achieve increased power and glide by pushing the blade into the ice. This creates more thrust and reduces downward pressure, resulting in better gliding characteristics. CAG applied this knowledge to design a hockey blade that incorporates a flat area of steel while still allowing for maneuverability. The Profiler can be easily programmed to grind the flat area and position it in the optimal location based on the player’s skating style. For forward lean style skaters, the flat area can be positioned a little more forward of blade center to maximize their initial stride push off and glide zone. The CAG Profiler is a game-changer for hockey players looking to enhance their performance on the ice.
Ice hockey players need to pay attention to the blade contact area and the radius of hollow (ROH) of their skates to optimize their performance and prevent injury. Deep hollows (e.g., ½ “to 3/8”) with increased flat blade contact can lead to knee and ligament injuries and reduce gliding ability. Therefore, players should strive for a shallow hollow that allows them to glide on top of the ice instead of cutting into it. Increasing the blade flat area will also help with cutting and turning without sliding out.
When making a quick pivot turn, players should transition their weight slightly back towards the heel, just behind the blade flat of the Cag Profile, and on the radius region of the blade. This area has less blade to ice contact, making quick turns more efficient. Once the turn is complete, the body weight shifts slightly forward over the Cag Power Zone (flat region) to push off with increased power and use the flat for increased glide. When turning using a wide radius, such as behind the net, players should use more of the mid portion of their blades under the arches. The Power Zone created by the Profiler allows players to get lower in the turns without sliding out due to the increased blade contact in this region.
By optimizing their blade contact area and ROH, ice hockey players can improve their performance and reduce the risk of injury.
If you’re a hockey player or a figure skater, you know how crucial it is to have the right equipment for optimal performance. One key component of your gear that can significantly impact your skating efficiency is your blade’s pitch and radius. In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind blade pitch and radius and how the Profiler tool can help you optimize your blade for maximum power transfer and speed.
Blade Pitch and Power Transfer
The pitch of your blade refers to the angle at which the blade is mounted on the skate boot. Most professional teams use a 9ft. neutral or 9ft. 1/64″ (very slight) forward pitch as their starting point. This is because the most efficient skating style is with the player using the region under their arches for powerful push-offs and strides. A more forward lean pitch changes the position of power transfer to closer to the frontal arch area. When pushing off or striding from an area front or back of this region, less energy is transitioned to our feet, reducing stability and the body’s efficient use of energy.
Blade Radius and Lateral Ability
Blade radius refers to the curvature of the blade along its length. The Profiler tool places a much more efficient flat contact point only in the area needed. When using larger radius templates on our blades to gain speed, we diminish our lateral ability. This is due to the larger arc extending behind and forward of the arch of the skater, reducing our ability to turn tightly. More blade contact forward of the arch makes it more difficult to naturally roll the blade forward to finish our toe snap.
Profiler Tool for Optimal Performance
The Profiler tool is a precision machine that can help you optimize your blade for maximum power transfer and speed. With the Profiler, you can adjust the pitch and radius of your blade to fit your skating style and needs. For example, Sidney Crosby uses a 30/60 Cag Profile, which means the total flat ground onto his blades is 60mm or about 2.36 inches. The number 30 (1.18 inches) tells you how much of that 60mm of flat is ground forward of blade center. The flat is ground directly center under the arch of his feet, 30mm in front of blade center and 30mm behind.
Conclusion
Optimizing your blade pitch and radius is crucial for efficient and powerful skating. The Profiler tool can help you achieve the perfect blade setup for your skating style and needs. With the right pitch and radius, you can maximize power transfer, speed, and stability on the ice.