▲ 0 r/hockeygoalies
Normally I put just a single square of 3M PPF on the landing block here:
But I tried to add another strip here as well:
as it felt like the knee block and that outer part made good contact, and somehow my sliding seemed way worse, almost like getting stuck. I thought it would give me a bit more zip!
Not sure if anyone can explain this or if there is some physics majors here?
I looked for a quick AI answer and got:
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🧊 The formula (quickly, then we’ll translate it)
P=F/A
- P = pressure
- F = force (your body weight)
- A = contact area
So:
>
🥅 What that actually means on the ice
🔹 With ONE square (your original setup)
- Your weight is focused on a small spot
- That creates high pressure in that spot
Think of it like:
- pressing your finger vs your palm into snow
Result:
- the pad cuts through the thin rough layer
- reaches smoother ice underneath
- easier to start sliding
🔸 With TWO strips
- Your weight is spread across a larger surface
- Each part has less pressure
Now it’s like:
- laying your whole hand flat on snow
Result:
- you don’t break through the rough top layer
- more of the surface interacts with snow/imperfections
- harder to start moving
🧠 Why this feels like “more friction” (even though PPF is slippery)
This is the part that feels backwards:
>
Because real ice isn’t perfect.
It has:
- snow buildup
- skate ruts
- soft spots
So what matters isn’t just material friction — it’s:
>
⚡ The most important part: STARTING movement
Sliding has two phases:
1. Starting (static friction) → hardest part
- needs enough pressure to “break free”
2. Gliding (kinetic friction)
- easier once you're moving
With ONE square:
- high pressure → easy to break free
- then you glide
With TWO strips:
- low pressure → hard to break free
- feels like you’re stuck before you even move
u/FreshProfessor1502 — 12 days ago