Hockey players always have to work to get better. The most important aspect of any hockey player's game has to be skating. Players have many skating drills to get quicker and more capable on the ice. When the full length of the ice is not available, you can use half the ice to work on speed, balance, overall capability and endurance.
Endurance Drill
Start off at the goalline and sprint to the blue line. Race back to the endline. Then sprint to center ice and back. Take a 30-second break and repeat this drill. Do this at least twice at the start and finish of every skating session to build endurance.
Agility Drill
Set up five athletic cones beyond the center ice red line. Skate to the right of the first cone, the left of the second cone, the right of the third cone and continue in that manner until you finish the course. Return to the back of the line and repeat the drill when your get your turn again. This drill builds speed and quick responses.
Half-Circle Drill
Start off at the blue line and sprint to the face-off circle in the right offensive zone. Skate around the circle and sprint to the face-off circle on the left side and skate around that circle. Skate to the slot area 25 feet in front of the goal. As you set up, a coach passes you five pucks, one at a time. Quickly gather the puck and fire a wrist shot on net with each pass you receive.
Turn and Burn
Start off at center ice and sprint to the blue line. As soon as you reach that spot turn around and skate backwards to the goalline. Continue skating backwards around the net until you get to the blue line on the other side of the ice. Turn around and sprint to the redline. Continue sprinting until you get back to the starting point. Do this twice at the beginning of practice to get your legs warmed up and improve your ability to skate backwards.
References
- "Laura Stamm's Power Skating"; Laura Stamm; 1989
- Jes-Hockey: Skating
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