Having a strong stride is essential in hockey. This is what gives you an advantage over your opponent. Because, no matter how good your stick handling or shooting is, it is worthless if you can't get to the puck first. Having a good stride is the secret to skating fast and getting to the puck first. To get the best stride you can, you need to commit to working off-ice and on-ice. You can improve your stride through strengthening, conditioning and proper form.
Off-Ice Preparation
Step 1
Strengthen your legs by doing resistance exercises such as wall sits, leg lifts and squats. Also use weight machines that work your legs. The stronger your legs are, the harder you can skate.
Step 2
Exercise by using plyometric training drills to increase your explosiveness, which allows you to start your stride with a burst of speed. Also work on your speed and agility by doing drills on agility ladders.
Step 3
Sharpen your skates at a local hockey store or ice rink. This allows you to use your edge to dig into the ice with each stride.
On-Ice Tips
Step 1
Start fast by making a 'V' with the heels of your blades touching and toes angled out. Squat down with your back straight as you are sitting in a chair. Then, start to lean forward. Begin with three quick choppy steps on your toes to get a burst of speed before falling into your normal stride.
Step 2
Push hard and exert as much force as you can in each stride. Practice by seeing how far you can get by pushing off once on each side.
Step 3
Bend you knees under you to stay low and keep your back straight. Straighten your leg behind you when you push to take a stride.
Step 4
Recover quickly by rapidly drawing your foot back under you and starting to push off with the other leg as quickly as possible. Even though you want to get as far as you can with each stride, you should continue to move quickly.
Things You'll Need
- Weight machines
- Agility ladder
- Hockey skates
- Ice rink
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