| Many players and teams are starting to get the | | | | movements they will perform ice. The movements |
| message that off-ice warm-ups are never optional. | | | | used in this part of the warm-up are commonly |
| Players must prepare the muscles they use to skate, | | | | referred to as dynamic stretches, or stretching while |
| shoot and save before every ice session if they want | | | | moving. By performing simple movement patterns, |
| to guarantee that they feel and perform their best. | | | | such as side-shuffling and forward lunging, players will |
| While most players do some kind of off-ice warm-up, | | | | increase the readiness of the muscles used while |
| many of them are not getting the maximum benefit | | | | playing hockey which will allow them to engage them |
| from their pre-ice routine. Most start the warm-up with | | | | more effectively out on the ice. |
| a few minutes of jogging and then finish with some | | | | Specific |
| quick stretches. The whole routine is usually over in | | | | This final stage of the off-ice warm-up is extremely |
| less than 5 minutes - and that just isn't enough time to | | | | important - and often neglected. Although players will |
| get ready to perform your best. | | | | have 'warmed-up' the muscles and movements |
| To ensure that you come flying out of the gate in the | | | | involved in playing the game through the previous two |
| first period, you must complete an off-ice warm-up | | | | stages, they still need to address a critical need prior to |
| that progresses through three different stages, mimics | | | | stepping onto the ice - unpredictability. |
| the same movements and intensity that players must | | | | Hockey is unpredictable - players are always "reading |
| use on the ice, and lasts at least 10 minutes. | | | | and reacting" to a game that changes constantly and |
| General | | | | this requires players to be both physically and mentally |
| The first stage is the general warm-up and typically | | | | agile. By participating in small group games, such as |
| involves low-intensity jogging. | | | | variations of tag, players get used to the |
| While jogging for a few minutes increases blood flow | | | | unpredictability of the game and this ensures that they |
| and gets muscles loosened up, it doesn't address a | | | | are physically and mentally ready to hit the ice. |
| player's hockey-specific needs. | | | | Properly progressing through these three stages of |
| Dynamic | | | | the off-ice warm-up will ensure that players are |
| After performing the general warm-up jog, players | | | | physically and mentally prepared perform their best on |
| must perform exercises and drills that mimic the | | | | the ice. |