Speed is an essential component of hockey. Quick feet, quick hands and quick decisions are part of virtually every shift of every game. Some players are naturally quicker than others, but every player's quickness can be improved with specific on-ice and off-ice drills.
Jumping the Line
Jumping the line is a one-legged off-ice drill designed to improve leg strength and foot quickness. Set a "line" along the ground that is about 2-feet wide and stand next to it. The line can be made from two ropes or tape measures or hockey sticks, as long as it isn't too far off the ground. Lift one leg and bend the leg you're standing on to 90 degrees. Jump over the line, keeping your leg bent, as many times as you can in 10 seconds. Perform three sets and then switch legs.
Downhill Running
Running uphill will help you develop power and stamina, but running downhill will help you improve your foot speed. Running quickly down a hill forces your feet to move faster to compensate for gravity. Choose a hill that isn't overly steep at first, and then find steeper hills as you progress. Run as quickly as your feet will allow, and try to maintain good form so you don't fall.
The M Drill
The M drill can be performed on or off the ice, and your footwork will improve with either method. Either on the ice or in a grassy area, set up five pylons so each one is a point in the letter M. You can decide on the size of the M but keep it small enough so you can sprint on or off the ice. Start at one of the bottom points, and run or skate to the top pylon on the same side. Stop at the top and quickly run or skate backward to the middle point. Stop and go forward again and then backward to finish the drill.
Skating Lines
Line skating helps to develop both skating speed and endurance. The quick starts and stops promote foot speed and will help with quickness during games. Start at one end of the rink and skate hard to the blue line. Come to a complete stop and then skate back to the end of the rink. Stop and skate to the center red line, and then back to the end. Continue the drill to the far blue line and back, and then all the way to the other end. Perform the drill close to the boards to help gauge if you're in the proper skating position. If you can see over the boards, you are too upright.
Stick Handling Drills
Developing quick hands helps you maneuver with the puck in close quarters and create more scoring chances. Performing stick handling drills will improve your hand speed with the puck. Line up pylons from one end of the rink to the other so they are 3 to 5 feet apart and have players weave in and out with the puck all the way down. Do a figure 8 with the puck by placing two small items on the ice roughly 2 feet apart and stick handling the puck around them from a standing position.
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