heel vs mid vs toe curves

[domm17]

i am a noob what are the advantages and disadvantages to these 3 curve types: heel mid and toe.

i am playing in a roller hockey league in the spring/summer. i mainly want to be good at taking wrist shots and decent with passing and receiving pucks (will not be taking many slapshots or one timers). which curve type would you recommend for this?

also, i think i read somewhere that the toe curve is best for wrist shots. this may be a stupid question, but is that only for players that roll the puck from the toe towards the heel (like nhl players)? i shoot normally, rolling the puck from the heel to the toe. i just didnt know if this would have an effect on it.

thanks

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

You want to shoot off the deepest part of the curve (in the pocket). Don't let the choice of the curve dictate how you shoot. Since you shoot off the heel, go with the heel curve. Due to the nature of my shot, I prefer toe curves.

 

[Jarick]

It's really hard to say for sure, and my thoughts have evolved over time.

One Timer is right that you want to (usually) shoot off the deepest part of the curve, or where the curve starts at least. So if you carry the puck closer to the heel of the blade, a heel curve might be easier to use. Same if you like to carry in the middle (mid curve), or if you like to toe drag before you shoot (toe).

But then you have the quirks of how the loft feels when you have the puck in tight vs far away, and a lot of other factors. So the easiest answer is to try different curves and see what you like.

Also, very few NHL'ers have enough time and space to roll the puck on the blade dramatically while shooting, which is why they prefer quick release shots like snap shots and one timers.

 

[wehojp84]

If you're going to be doing a lot of slappers and one timers, a heel or mid-heel curve would probably be best because the sweat spot is easier to hit. If you do a lot of snap shots and wrist shots a mid (which is a utility type curve) or mid-toe curve is what you want. Keep in mind, the closer to the toe the curve is, the harder it is to receive passes but at the same time the more accurate your wrist shots will be. This is also why you very rarely see a pure toe curve any more and most use a mid-toe. Most beginners are recommended to start with a mid curve and then go from there depending on how it treats them.

But as others have said, a lot of it comes down to your technique and what type of shots you use the majority of the time.

The other major factor you need to consider with your blade is the lie (which is the angle between the top part of the blade and the stick shaft). In general, people who like to stick handle more and keep the puck closer to their bodies use a blade with a higher lie (6 or above). However, the best way to figure out your natural lie is to look at the bottom of some of your used sticks and see if the heel part has more wear than the rest of the blade. If that's the case then you need a lower lie (flatter lie) and if the toe part has more wear than the rest of the blade you need a higher lie (more angle). In roller hockey if you have the correct lie for your skating style, the blade should wear relatively evenly along the bottom of the blade.

 

[Rainman56]

You want to shoot off the deepest part of the curve (in the pocket). Don't let the choice of the curve dictate how you shoot. Since you shoot off the heel, go with the heel curve. Due to the nature of my shot, I prefer toe curves.

I really like the toe curves as well.Trouble is finding one.Loved the Gionta Warrior but guess it didn,t sell very well?

 

[RPHockey53]

FWIW... I have tried toe curves a few times in my life and find it much harder to stick handle... but it's really just preference.. some people stick handle better with toes... depends on your style.. I use mid curves.. always have and always will.. switched to a toe once and noticed I was losing the puck randomly off my stick at times...

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I really like the toe curves as well.Trouble is finding one.Loved the Gionta Warrior but guess it didn,t sell very well?

I don't know why Warrior doesn't sell the Gionta curve anymore, but they now have the W28 Yakupov, which is the curve I currently use. It's a nice toe curve.