When first introducing strength training to youth athletes (and everyone else for that matter), it’s important to teach the fundamentals. Basic movements, performed correctly.
One strategy to help speed up the learning process is to slow down the movement. This gives the athlete more time to feel different positions throughout the exercise and the coach more time to recognize opportunities for improvement.
This is a 3-0-2 Tempo DB Goblet Squat we’ve used as a teaching tool for kids in the past. The goal here is to start grooving an optimal squat pattern, so it can be loaded more at the appropriate time.
Typically performed for 2-3 sets of 5-8 reps.
Feel free to post any comments/questions below. If you found this helpful, please share/re-post it so others can benefit.
To your success,
Kevin Neeld
SpeedTrainingforHockey.com
HockeyTransformation.com
OptimizingAdaptation.com
P.S. If you’re interested in how core training fits into a hockey-specific training program, check out Ultimate Hockey Transformation.
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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.
“Every goal I've set for myself to translate on the ice, I’ve hit, and I give 100% credit to my off-season program. I won't train with anyone else.”
Anthony DeAngelo, Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL