We’d be foolish to think that ADM advice about practices dedicated to skills is THE ANSWER to developing skillful hockey. It’s only a small part of the project. If we want the next generation of young hockey players to play a more skillful, safer game, adults (coaches, parents, and referees) will have to make major […]
Category Archives: State Of Hockey
02
Jun
Jun
So would Isaac Newton, because he understood physics It’s not the size of the dog in the fight. It’s the size of the FIGHT in the dog. Let’s Play Hockey photo by Mike Thill Let’s look at some facts, not myth: Smaller players are NOT at a disadvantage in hockey except at two times in […]
28
May
May
Hip abduction-rotation-extension (A-R-E) Using the largest muscles in the body (gluteal muscles of the hips), the power for every skating stride (except cornering) begins with hip abduction-rotation-extension (A-R-E). In simpler terms, this means thrusting to the side while rotating toward the next stride, and finally extending almost straight back as you move past the ice. […]
23
May
May
Creative geniuses who thought outside the box Unlike college and professional football, offensive creativity in hockey comes mainly from players, and each year it is increasingly “coached” out of the game. Avoiding mistakes has become the highest priority, even at the youth level where the need to win eliminates creative trial-and-error. Not only do coaches […]
21
May
May
Training should be integrated, rather than isolated Words cannot define “hockey athleticism” as well as a picture of great athletes in competition. The ability to move your body quickly on the ice requires sprinting, jumping and skating-specific strength exercises integrated into each workout. With no apologies to the on-again, off-again basketball superstars of today, I’d […]
17
May
May
Workouts should focus on speed of hands, speed of feet and speed of mind. For 150 years, North American hockey coaches have NOT met to outline the purpose of dryland training. Instead, it was left to strength coaches, scientists and fitness instructors to tell hockey what to do. On the other hand, in 1947, the […]
13
May
May
Student-athletes are lucky, and the more they appreciate their opportunity as students, the richer their life will be for decades Let’s Play Hockey photo by Mike Thill The greatest gift you can give an 18-year-old is an education. After all, they already have an iPhone, a car and every other expensive gift their parents couldn’t […]
11
May
May
Building confidence is the single most important task for a hockey coach. When you’re teaching a high school math class, it’s not always easy to find ways to praise the struggling students – I mean the ones who truly struggle: working hard and finding it difficult to experience success. Not easy? Why should “easy” be […]
07
May
May
It’s essential for brain development Young animals (and humans) have played for tens of thousands of years. It is important for diverse growth of the brain, and most likely helped their species survive challenges of evolution. Neuroscientists use MRI and other technologies to produce images from inside the brain, so they can follow changes over […]
04
May
May
Build strength outside the weight room with highly dynamic exercises that feature balance, flexibility, coordination and explosiveness Cameron Champ hits the ball longer than anybody else because he uses his strength efficiently. Photo: James Woolridge/Deseret News Force efficiency in skating or sprinting requires forward lean and Straight Line Extension (SLX) of the body during acceleration. […]
