Hockey players depend on their skating ability. You can have a dynamic shot or be a tremendous passer. However, if you lag behind every play because you skate too slowly or are not sure on your feet, you won't be able to realize your potential as a hockey player. Even if you're a good skater, you can always become a better skater by working on your technique, developing leg strength and building endurance.
Step 1
Concentrate on body position and posture if you want to become a power skater. Work on body lean, knee bend, balance and developing a powerful stride. Keep your head up, push with your hips and maintain a great arm swing to develop power. Work on developing the correct form as you do a three-lap warm-up around the ice. Power skating teacher Laura Stamm, who has been working with NHL players since the 1980s, emphasizes proper technique before she teaches the power and speed aspect of skating.
Step 2
Practice your starts. One of the most important parts of power skating is to get a quick start. Move your feet quickly to get a fast start. Take four running steps and then start pushing with your edges.
Step 3
Start off at the end line to do interval training for speed in hockey. As you work on your form to develop into a power skater, you also have to train your muscles to perform quickly. Race from the end line to the blue line and race back. Then skate moderately to center ice and maintain that same pace back to the end line. Then race from the end line to the far blue line and race back to the starting point. Finally, skate at a moderate pace to the far end line and back. Take a one-minute break and repeat the drill.
Step 4
Run on land to build strength in your legs for power skating. To help develop explosive power, engage in sprint training. Go to your local high school or college track and sprint 100 yards. Follow that with a 90-yard sprint, then go 80 yards and finish that with a 70-yard sprint. Take a one-minute break and repeat the sprint exercise.
Tips and Warnings
- Always stretch and do warm-up exercises before you train on the ice or run on the track.
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