Blogs

While the previous two videos (see: Integrated Core Training for Dynamic Stability and Core Training Variations for Dynamic Stability) help reinforce elements of low-position control important for skating, the Single Leg Stance Med Ball Figure 8 is more of a traditional balance exercise. The goal is to stay tall and centered over the foot. When someone […]

Following up on a previous post, over the next few days, I’ll share other core variations we use to reinforce stability across a variety of different positions. The video below is of a Split Squat Med Ball Figure 8. As with the last video, the goal is to maintain depth and a forward lean/shin angle, […]

One of the key skating characteristics of elite hockey players is that they adopt a low skating position. From an off-ice training perspective, hockey players should first demonstrate that they have the mobility and low position strength and endurance to get into and hold these types of positions. Once this has been achieved, it can be helpful […]

In a previous post, I discussed two strategies to improve hip abduction range of motion as a means of allowing hockey players to increase stride length from a deeper skating position. A key point of emphasis from that post is that range of motion is more likely to be integrated into dynamic patterns if strength/stability are […]

One of the things I’ve heard coaches mention frequently over the years is that a player “doesn’t move well laterally.” There are some key physical contributors to transitional patterns (e.g. range of motion, eccentric strength & rate of force development, effective use of range-specific stretch-reflex/stretch-shortening cycle), but skating technique and body control are also essential to […]

Last week I shared some research highlighting differences between acceleration and steady state skating, and between elite and sub-elite skaters through these two skating phases. In response to those posts, I was asked if I had any favorite exercises to improve acceleration and top-end speed. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I typically approach the training process […]

There are notable differences in skating stride characteristics between elite and sub-elite skaters in both acceleration and steady-state phases of skating. In the acceleration phase, elite skaters use a larger hip extension range of motion, and higher hip extension, hip abduction, and knee extension velocities. In steady state skating, the elite skaters used a larger […]

There are two general ways to approach linear speed training: 1) Improving the rate at which a player approaches top speed (e.g. acceleration) 2) Improving top speed It’s rare for a player to reach top speed with any regularity in hockey, whereas the ability to accelerate is integral to performance in every shift. However, the […]

One of the more consistent findings in determining what differentiates elite and sub-elite skaters is that elite skaters adopt a lower skating position. This study from Upjohn et al (2008) found that high caliber skaters had a deeper skating position, which translated into longer/wider strides with more extension range of motion through the knee/ankle. Ultimately, […]

I hope this finds you well, and that you’re as excited as I am for the start of the hockey season. Over the last few years, balancing my work responsibilities with family time and wrapping up my PhD has not left a lot of extra time for writing. When I started this site back in […]