Off-Ice Hockey Speed Training

Yesterday I mentioned that, on the ice during a game, top speed isn’t reached or maintained for long.  Having said that, it is still important to understand that many of the direction changes in hockey occur at near-top speeds.  Also, many all out sprints start from a glide or light skate, and involve varying foot/leg positions.  

Your off-ice training should reflect this.  Try incorporating these three things to improve the quality of your hockey speed training:

1. Include longer range accelerations (20-30 yards) with a quick deceleration and direction change (similar to a pattern a wide receiver may run).  
2. Include agility circuits that start with a speed build-up.  This allows the athlete to practice accelerating from a moving position, which is usually the way it happens on the ice. 
3. Vary starting and transition movements to include lateral steps, crossover steps, and pivots.

Keep working hard…