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 […]