| In part one of this series, we focused on mobility | | | | fingers off the table slightly. Keep your hands close to |
| training for hockey players and now we will shift our | | | | the table though so you can re-balance yourself |
| attention to core training. Like the mobility exercises, | | | | quickly. Practice this until you can balance for 60 |
| you should be able to complete your core training | | | | seconds without touching the table. |
| within 10-20 minutes. Let me make it clear that this is | | | | #3 - Ball kneeling with puck control is the next |
| not an article about "ab" training; this is not an article | | | | progression. It teaches your body to reflexively |
| about how to get a ripped six-pack. This article is | | | | stabilize your torso while your conscious control is |
| written for athletes who need to use the muscles of | | | | focused elsewhere. Take a stick handling ball and |
| their torso to generate power and maximize stability | | | | perform figure eights around small pylons or any of |
| while they dominate their sport. | | | | your favorite puck control drills. Practice for 60 |
| The first thing I want you to do is test yourself by | | | | seconds. |
| performing the following exercises. | | | | #4 - You are getting good mileage out of that stability |
| - core plank for 45s with perfect technique | | | | ball, because now you are going to kneel in front of |
| - bent knee sit up bringing elbows to knees without | | | | the stability ball with your arms straight and both hands |
| lifting feet for one rep | | | | resting on top of the ball. You will remain tall in your |
| Can you do these exercises with perfect technique? If | | | | torso and brace with your abdominals as you slowly |
| so then completing the following exercises will help you, | | | | roll the ball forward to the point where you feel your |
| but you are doing pretty well. If you cannot do these | | | | abdominals tighten. If you go too far with your hands, |
| exercises with perfect technique, then read this article | | | | you may feel tension or straining in your back. This is |
| as quickly as you can and start with these core | | | | why it is important to roll forward slowly and |
| training exercises right away. | | | | concentrate on finding the point where you feel your |
| #1 - Your first exercise might be running to the store to | | | | abdominals start to tighten. Make sure you do not bend |
| purchase a good burst resistant stability ball. | | | | at your hips as you roll the ball forward; stay tall. |
| #2 - Practice kneeling on the shiny new stability ball | | | | Complete 10-15 repetitions with perfect form. |
| that you just purchased. Be safe when you do this. | | | | Complete these exercises 2-3 times per week to help |
| Begin with your hands on a table or counter top, once | | | | build a strong core during your hockey season. |
| you feel that you are finding your balance, lift your | | | | |