This is another example of an “integrated” mobility exercise that I’ll write into pre-practice or training prep work. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin Neeld, PhD (@kevinneeld) 3 quick notes: 1️⃣ Anchoring the hips back, and then rotating through the t-spine helps create hip/shoulder separation, an important motor control quality for… Read more
One thing I used to hear from a lot of hockey players is “my legs are big enough.” In most cases, this was the player’s way of saying “lower body training is hard, and I don’t want to do it” but aside from the laziness, there’s a misconception that bigger means stronger. Muscle size relates… Read more
In making workload or recovery recommendations, it’s important to consider the timeline of the anticipated training/recovery response. Recovery recommendations are often made with minimal consideration for the primary goal of the training phase or time an athlete has before they need to be recovered. 🥶 For example, cold water immersion can help reduce soreness/fatigue, increase… Read more
The Alternating Crossover Run is an exercise I’ll integrate into our pre-practice prep and as a main exercise in speed development blocks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin Neeld, PhD (@kevinneeld) It’s a great option to teach: 1️⃣ Hip/shoulder separation2️⃣ An aggressive push-under3️⃣ Introductory single-leg deceleration. The goal here is to… Read more
Improving lower body strength is the foundation for being able to adopt lower skating positions and generate maximal power with each stride. The Forward Sled March is an effective option for developing lower body strength while also emphasizing: ✅ Single-leg strength✅ Concentric “push” dominant pattern✅ Horizontal force production (pushing “back”) View this post on Instagram… Read more
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.
“In my mind Kevin Neeld is one of the top 5-6 S&C Coaches in the ice hockey world, It’s not often I turn to younger coaches for advice but, Kevin is a guy I count on to be on top of all the latest info and, to use it with his athletes.”
Michael Boyle, Owner, Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team