The Story behind the FAZR PUCK

What is it?

The FAZR PUCK stands as the world’s first smart hockey puck that automatically detects hockey shots and calculates shot speeds in real-time.  The FAZR PUCK’s built-in LEDs deliver immediate visual feedback on shot speed instantly after a shot has been detected.  Frank Roberts of Sensor Maestros designed the FAZR PUCK with built-in LED’s that provide immediate visual feedback on shot speed.  His passion for hockey and 3D motion sensing technology drove him to create the FAZR PUCK smart hockey puck.

What inspired it?

The idea struck Frank one day while sitting at his desk. He had been testing a BLE-controlled wearable LED string he called FAZR LED.  Frank had on his desk another one of his creations, the SFM2(Product Page) , a wearable 9 DOF IMU.  Because Frank coaches hockey, plays mens leauge and raises two daughters who play hockey there were a couple of pucks also on his desk.  Having said that hockey pucks are commonly seen around the house.  Watching the FAZR LED flash during testing and glancing at the SFM2 and seeing the hockey pucks Frank had a flash of ingenuity.  He would combine these products into a unique smart hockey puck.  That single moment of inspiration launched the FAZR PUCK.

That spark ignited the journey of the demanding, challenging and deeply rewarding FAZR PUCK product development.

FAZR Name What does it mean?

Many people ask where does the name FAZR come from or what does it stand for?  Earlier on Frank was trying to think of a cool name for the BLE controlled LED string and Frank experimented with names associated lasers and LED’s and came upon FAZR which stands for

                                                         FRANK AYSHA ZOE ROBERTS

The name now is a tribute to Frank’s daughters which ultimately gave him the inspiration for the FAZR LED hence the FAZR PUCK.

Building on that inspiration Frank spun FAZR PUCK off into a separate company called FAZR SPORTS.  FAZR SPORTS is dedicated to Smart Electronic Training devices.  You can find the FAZR SPORTS company page HERE

WHAT IS THE FAZR PUCK?  WHAT DOES IT DO?

The FAZR PUCK is a Smart Hockey Puck with electronic sensors and LED’s designed specifically for hockey training.  Frank developed this smart hockey puck after hundreds of experiences sending his kids to the basement to shoot 100 pucks.  Sometimes he was there with them, but many times he was not.  He told them tell them to return after they shot 100 pucks but could never confirm the actual shot count.  Frank also did not have a direct way to track their progress unless he watched them shoot himself.  Those experiences drove Frank to develop the FAZR PUCK.  Now parents, coaches, and players can directly track and record each young hockey player’s progress.  Frank equipped the FAZR PUCK with BLE connectivity to interface with a mobile app.  He also added RGB LEDs to deliver immediate visual feedback to the user.

FAZR PUCK How Does it Work?

The FAZR PUCK is the first and only smart hockey puck that automatically detects shot speed and delivers immediate visual feedback.  Frank worked and refined shot and speed shot speed algorithms for the FAZR PUCK.  Frank designed the FAZR PUCK to also detect stickhandling and provide visual feedback when it detects a stickhandle.

FAZR SPORTS mobile App

In addition to real-time speed detection, the team also developed a mobile app to provide a user interface and training modes.  The FAZR SPORTS app delivers 3 Operating modes: Shot Training, Stickhandling Training and Fun Mode.  The Fun Mode lets players customize their FAZR PUCK(s) to their favorite LED color, blink pattern and brightness.  Using the FAZR SPORTS mobile app, the players enter their Shot Speed Goal and the Number of Shots for their training session. The FAZR SPORTS app programs each puck with the player’s target shot speed.  Each time a player shoots the FAZR PUCK calculates shot speed, compares it to target speed goal and flashes the LED’s providing immediate feedback.  The mobile app displays the speed of each shot while keeping track of the total number of shots.  The app also displays a rolling average shot speed for the training session.

Using FAZR PUCK(s) without the app

After players configure their settings in the app they can use the pucks as stand-alone devices.  Once the app has programmed the target shot speed the player can use the pucks without the app.  Each puck stores the target shot speed and provides GREEN, YELLOW, and RED feedback on every shot – no app required.

FAZR PUCK OPERATING MODES

The FAZR PUCK gives players, parents, and coaches a fully trackable hockey training system in a single puck. Our team designed the FAZR SPORTS app to be simple and intuitive — users simply add their FAZR PUCK(s) to their Profile and Synced Device list.  Players then choose from three available Sessions/Modes:

Shooting Training Mode

Using the FAZR SPORTS mobile app the player enters their Shot Speed Goal and the Number of Shots for their training session.  During the Shooting Training the FAZR PUCK provides the user visual feedback as shown below.

• • GREEN FLASHES => Shot met or exceeded the User Speed Goal
  • YELLOW FLASHES => Shot came within 10% of the User Speed Goal
  • RED FLASHES => Shot did not reach within 10% of the User Speed Goal

At the end of the training sessions the app generates a Shot Training Session Report showing:

• • Graph showing each shot speed
  • Number of Shots Taken
  • Average Shot Speed
  • Shot Speed Goal
  • Number of Shots that exceeded Shot Speed Goal

Stickhandling Training Mode

Players enter their Total Number of Stickhandles/Touches and the Session Time Period in minutes. At the end of the session the app generates a Stickhandling Training Session Report showing:

• • Number of Stickhandles
  • Session Time Elapsed
  • Stickhandles Per Minute

Fun Mode

Fun Mode lets players personalize their FAZR PUCK(s) – choosing LED color, blink pattern, blink rate, and brightness from a color wheel.  A built-in color wheel provides a rainbow of color choices.

FAZR PUCK is Patent Pending

Explore the FAZR SPORTS mobile app in the screenshots shown below.

FAZR PUCK Questions

CAN I BUY FAZR PUCKS?

Yes FAZR PUCKs are available for puchase right now!!  The initial release of the FAZR PUCK is designed for Youth hockey training and pond hockey.  Boys 6-13U and Girls 6-16U.  The FAZR PUCK if used as instructed below can easily handle higher velocity shots.  MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT shoot the this smart hockey puck directly at hard objects such as hockey boards, brick or concrete walls, etc.

How should I use the FAZR PUCK(s)?

ANSWER:  The Youth/Pond Hockey FAZR PUCK is very durable and can be shot with slap shots.  While this is the case  it is critical that some simple precautions are taken for what the FAZR PUCKs are shot against.  With being said follow these 3 simple rules…

• For training we recommend players use a shooter tutor if shooting at a net.  If they are shooting at a wall we recommend to hang a thick cloth or vinly tarp a couple of feet away from the wall to avoid having the FAZR PUCKs directly impact the wall.
  • A Shooter Tutor made of Thick Vinyl or Heavy Canvas material will act as a shock absorber for shots.
  • If you don’t have a Shooter Tutor and are shooting at a net.   Wrap the back center support pipe with a Pool Noodle or Rubber Pipe Insulation
• For shots >60mph users should wrap goal posts and cross-bars with either Pool Noodles or Rubber Pipe insulation(3/4″ is ideal) and use Zip Ties to secure the Pool Noodles or Pipe Insulation around the Goal Posts and Cross Bar.
• Shot speeds >60mph care should be taken with concrete/brick walls behind a net.  Either hang a heavy cloth or vinyl tarp 1-2 feet away from the wall to avoid having the FAZR PUCKs directly hit the walls with shot speeds >60mph.

Doing these things will ensure a VERY LONG life for the FAZR PUCKs you own.  

Can I use more than 1 FAZR PUCK at the same time?

ANSWER:  YES!!  We HIGHLY recommend having at least 3 FAZR PUCKs for training.  This ensures that the player is not chasing the same puck over and over taking away from the training session.  Having 5-6 of them is even more ideal.  Players can use >20 pucks at the same time.  Older mobile devices can sometimes struggle to work with 20+ FAZR PUCKs simultaneously.

Can I use FAZR PUCKs without the app?

ANSWER:  YES!!  This is a design feature that Frank thought of.  Once the pucks have been programmed with the user shot speed goal by the app they will retain that shot speed goal.  The stored shot speed goal is updated upon a new user shot speed goal having been programmed by the app.  Since the pucks retain the shot speed goal they will now provide the GREEN, YELLOW and RED visual feedback without requiring the mobile app.

Is the FAZR PUCK Official Size and Weight?

ANSWER:  YES!!  I developed the FAZR PUCK smart hockey puck to be official size and weight.  Each FAZR PUCK weighs 165g(5.82oz).  USA Hockey indicates an official hockey puck should weigh 5.5oz(156g)-6oz(170g).  I weighed 50 individual hockey pucks and the median range came to 165g so I developed the FAZR PUCK to weight precisely 165g(5.82oz).

Can the FAZR PUCK be used in an official hockey game?

ANSWER:  Technically Yes as Frank designed the FAZR PUCK to be official size and weight. However the FAZR PUCK should NOT be shot directly against hard/solid objects such as hockey boards so we generally don’t recommend this for players that have shot speeds >60mph.  If they happen to miss the net which we all know they do and hit the back-boards the FAZR PUCK could be damaged.

Does the FAZR PUCK have a Warranty?

ANSWER:  YES!!  These initial pucks are warrantied for 30days after purchase.   The warranty is valid for intended use of the FAZR PUCK as a youth hockey training device or for pond hockey use.  It should NOT be shot directly against solid surfaces such as but not limited to brick or concrete walls, hockey boards, etc.  For training purposes hockey goal posts, crossbars and center support bars should be wrapped with a protective material such as foam pool noodles or 3/4″ pipe insulation.  If a Shooter tutor is used the center support pipe does not need to be wrapped with padded material.  Walls and surroundings around a net should be taken into consideration for shots >60mph.  Plywood or a thick tarp for example should be placed in front of a concrete or brick wall if directly behind the net used for training.

Can the FAZR PUCK be customized with a Logo?

ANSWER:  YES!!  The FAZR PUCKs can easily be customized to have your own logo on the top and bottom of the FAZR PUCK.  Inquire with the FAZR Inquiry Form below.

Where can I purchase FAZR PUCKs?

Players can purchase FAZR PUCKs individually or save with a discounted 3-pack or discounted 9-pack directly below.  We also offer bulk discounts — contact us to inquire.  We recommend having at least 3 FAZR PUCKs for training so players avoid chasing the puck after every shot.  FAZR PUCKs will hit various retail locations soon, and players can purchase them online here and at the FAZR Sports webpage.  We made purchasing your FAZR PUCKs as easy as possible. Select your purchase quantity below.