Hyökkäyskulma

Hyökkäyskulma, literally attack angle, is a term used in Finnish to describe the orientation of an attacking action relative to a reference direction. In sports analytics, it refers to how obliquely a player or a team moves toward a target, such as the goal, a zone, or an opponent. The concept helps analysts assess the effectiveness of offensive movements, shooting angles, and how defenders might react to different approaches. The terminology can appear in discussions of football (soccer), ice hockey, basketball and other ball or puck games, where a more favorable attack angle can increase scoring chances or create better shooting opportunities.

In aerodynamics and related fields, hyökäyskulma is sometimes used as a translation of the angle of attack (AoA). Here it denotes the angle between the reference line on a body (such as a wing or a blade) and the oncoming flow. This angle influences lift, drag and overall aerodynamic performance, and it is critical for maintaining control and avoiding stall. The term is most common in Finnish-language technical literature and may be encountered in discussions of aircraft performance, rotorcraft, or wind-tunnel testing.

Measurement is by degrees, with the reference axis depending on context: in sports, the goal line or attack direction; in aerodynamics, the body reference line and relative wind. Factors such as speed, technique, wind or airflow, and opponent positioning all affect the practical implications of a given attack angle.

See also: Angle of attack, Offensive tactic, Tactical analysis.