Hockey Skills Training System with Polymer Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing the skill of 'saucing' in hockey, which involves passing a puck over opposing players and landing it flat on the ice, requires extensive practice and lacks effective training aids.
Innovation Solution
A hockey skills training system comprising a hard low friction polymer surface with goal frames and netting, along with a method of playing a game where teams take turns shooting pucks into opposing goals, allowing for the development and practice of this specific passing technique.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If players practice 'saucing' technique repeatedly on regular ice surfaces, then passing skill improves, but training effectiveness is limited without structured guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The training system segments the passing skill development into distinct components: the polymer surface provides consistent friction characteristics, the nested goals create progressive difficulty levels, and the structured game format breaks down practice into measurable repetitions. This segmentation allows players to focus on specific aspects of the saucing technique independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary training system between casual practice and competitive game play. The structured game with standardized surfaces, goals, and scoring acts as a mediator that translates informal practice into systematic skill development, providing the missing structured guidance while maintaining engagement.
2Productivity
If players engage in unstructured practice, then they can practice at their own pace, but skill development lacks measurable progress
Solution Approach 1:
The training system incorporates multiple feedback mechanisms: the standardized polymer surface provides consistent tactile feedback, the nested goals offer visual feedback on pass accuracy, and the scoring system quantifies progress. This feedback loop allows players to measure improvement objectively and adjust their practice accordingly, eliminating the time loss associated with unmeasured practice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters to enable measurement: it standardizes the surface friction coefficient, defines specific goal dimensions and nesting configurations, and establishes scoring parameters. These parameter changes transform unmeasured practice time into quantifiable skill development data, allowing players to track progress systematically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hockey practice is used, then players maintain game context, but specific passing technique practice is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The training system applies local quality by creating a specialized zone with unique properties (the low-friction polymer surface) dedicated solely to passing practice. This localized area with optimized characteristics allows players to develop passing precision in isolation, then transfer the skill to full game contexts, thereby maintaining both technique precision and training adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a structured and effective means to practice and improve the 'saucing' technique by allowing players to develop their passing skills in a controlled and competitive environment, enhancing their hockey skills through repeated practice and scoring points.
Implementation Method 1
a hard low friction polymer surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hockey skills training system comprising a polymer game board surface; a pair of nested goals disposed on one side of the shooting surface; a handle attached to the shooting surface; and at least one puck.