Kevin Neeld — Hockey Training, Sports Performance, & Sports Science

Off-Ice Hockey Speed Training

Yesterday I mentioned that, on the ice during a game, top speed isn’t reached or maintained for long.  Having said that, it is still important to understand that many of the direction changes in hockey occur at near-top speeds.  Also, many all out sprints start from a glide or light skate, and involve varying foot/leg positions.  

Your off-ice training should reflect this.  Try incorporating these three things to improve the quality of your hockey speed training:

  1. Include longer range accelerations (20-30 yards) with a quick deceleration and direction change (similar to a pattern a wide receiver may run).  
  2. Include agility circuits that start with a speed build-up.  This allows the athlete to practice accelerating from a moving position, which is usually the way it happens on the ice. 
  3. Vary starting and transition movements to include lateral steps, crossover steps, and pivots.

Keep working hard…

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Kevin Neeld

Kevin Neeld Knows Hockey

Kevin has rapidly established himself as a leader in the field of physical preparation and sports science for ice hockey. He is currently the Head Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins, where he oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery. Prior to Boston, Kevin spent 2 years as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the San Jose Sharks after serving as the Director of Performance at Endeavor Sports Performance in Pitman, NJ. He also spent 5 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach with USA Hockey’s Women’s Olympic Hockey Team, and has been an invited speaker at conferences hosted by the NHL, NSCA, and USA Hockey.

Pete Friesen

“I have had the privilege of interacting with Kevin Neeld for some years now. His depth of knowledge in the areas of Human Performance and Strength and Conditioning is only surpassed by his passion and enthusiasm for his profession. He truly is a great resource for anyone who trains athletes at any level.”

Pete Friesen, Head Trainer / Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Carolina Hurricanes
Adjunct Professor Duke University, School of Physical Therapy