Hockey School - "Skating in the Modern Game"

Without a doubt the most important aspect of a player’s game today is skating. Hockey Skating is a science of its own. It is different than that of figure skating, speed skating and recreational skating. The world’s best are efficient in the proper mechanics of stride length, frequency, edge control, glide turns, sharp turns, Mohawk turns, stops and transitional skating. Stick length and its relation to proper skating mechanics, upper body posture and proper knee bend are at the core of the modern techniques of hockey skating.  

Before a player is to fully engage in the Advanced Techniques of Hockey Skating which includes speed, quickness, agility, over speed and resistance training; they must master the foundational aspects. Too many skating programs focus on advanced techniques before ensuring the player has sound skating fundamentals first. Many players and parents make this mistake; wanting to go 100 mph all of the time is not necessarily going to make you a better skater. 

Sometimes we need to take a common sense approach; Bend your knees, focus on lengthening your stride and cut your stick at a comfortable and beneficial height. Many Pros who come back to me to work on their skating are fascinated by how much they improve by making simple adjustments in their knee bend, body posture and stick length. The key word in all of this was mentioned earlier; efficiency. The goal is to create an efficient skater. Players can work on their speed, quickness and agility with their personal trainers and in their sport conditioning programs. These programs are tremendous compliments to a good skating program that will focus on efficiency.