Playing hockey is a very demanding activity. Pro players begin training camp in September, the regular season begins in October and the playoffs can go on until mid-June. To get in shape for the season and build your skills so you can perform at a high level, you must work on your skating, shooting and passing.
Function
To play hockey at a high level, you have to be in excellent condition. You must have endurance and strength, and a big part of what you do to prepare for the season must be done off the ice. Engage in a running program to help build endurance that will help you during the hockey season. Strength training is also a big part of your preparations. Getting in the weight room and building up your arms, shoulders, chest and legs are vital to your ability to withstand hard checks on the ice and creating velocity when you shoot.
Significance
The most significant part of your hockey workout plan is your skating. Power skating workouts can help you become a better skater and hockey player. Interestingly, many hockey players, who have been skating since early childhood, work on improving their skating in the off-season. Power skating instructor Laura Stamm works with hockey players of all ages to make them more efficient and effective on the ice. "It's all about using the right technique," Stamm said. "Minor corrections can help good skaters become great skaters."
Features
Shooting the puck is a vital part of the game. Players who can shoot the puck accurately want to add more velocity to their shot. Players with outstanding velocity need to work on their accuracy. Players also need to work on their quick release. Spending a part of the hockey workout on shooting drills can make a player more effective in his overall game.
Time Frame
Hockey workouts on the ice are intense, hard-hitting and demanding sessions. Players don't have to spend three to four hours per day working out. Instead, shorter, more intense workout sessions can help a player more than extra hours working out. "It's not necessarily the amount of time you spend on the ice preparing," said former U.S. Olympic coach Lou Vairo. "It's the quality of that time."
History
Prior to the 1970s, hockey players rarely did any conditioning during the off-season. Instead, players came to training camp and got in shape there. Now training is a year-round activity and players who don't take it seriously soon find themselves out of uniform and looking for a new job. Training must combine on-ice and off-ice activity to allow players to get the most out of their ability.
References
- Hockey Workout: Off-Ice Workouts for Power and Speed
- Bodybuilding.com: A Solid Program To Get You Solid for Hockey
- Laura Stamm; Skate Great Hockey; Hawthorne, N.Y.
- Lou Vairo; Former U.S. Olympic Hockey Coach; Providence, R.I.
Member Comments