Blogs

In this episode, Vicki Bendus shares incredible insights into speed training for hockey, including: Key findings from her research on identifying the most impactful physical factors and related off-ice tests for on-ice speed Speed profiling strategies to identify where a player ranks relative to their peers and what qualities they need to improve to maximize […]

Isometric exercises are one of the more powerful and under-utilized training strategies available to athletes, especially in-season. I recently wrote an article for Metabolic Elite discussing three isometric training methods, how they benefit performance, and how to appropriately perform them. Check it out at the link below: Click here to read: Maximizing Adaptation while Minimizing […]

Over the last few years, balancing my work and family schedules has led to me consuming a lot more audio books and podcasts than I did earlier in my career. While there are a lot of great podcasts out there, I find that that many are (WAY) too long and/or fall short on practical application. […]

Check out this short clip from “Bruins Academy” where  Tim Lebbossiere and I discuss two exercise variations hockey players at all ages can do to improve their upper body strength. If you’re interested, you can check out the full episode here: Bruins Academy (Season 9, Episode 7) Feel free to post any comments/questions below. If […]

Core strength is an essential physical quality from both performance and durability perspectives. Learning to generate stiffness through the torso can help athletes transfer energy from the lower to upper body, deliver/absorb contract, and prevent undesirable motion of the hips, spine, and rib cage.           View this post on Instagram   […]

The Valslide Skate Position Circle and 2-Way Skater are two exercises we’ll integrate into our prep work or pair with main exercises to help reinforce low position stability of the stance leg.           View this post on Instagram                       A post […]

Med Ball Throws are a great way to develop rotational power. As the off-season progresses we’ll move from static throws, to static throws with a partner pass, to throws with dynamic starts.           View this post on Instagram                       A post […]

One of the many differences between goalies and forwards/defensemen in hockey is that they rely more on short, powerful pushes to move around the crease, whereas skating is characterized by longer pushes. Traditional jump training has a lot of value in improving lower body power in players at all positions, but when this work is […]

Despite this, many athletes succeed without possessing elite speed. Ultimately, speed serves to help create and close space. Making fast/accurate decisions with ball/puck movement can also create space. Being in the right position can minimize the need to travel excessive distances, allow players to win races without being faster. Speed development should be a key […]

Start basic. Eliminate joints, teach control.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Kevin Neeld, PhD (@kevinneeld) ½ Kneel eliminates lower leg and enforces single-leg stance control at the hip/core. Tall Kneel adds in rotational control at […]