| Training for any sport is a necessity. Even if your | | | | improve both core strength and postural stability are |
| naturally good at any sport in particular, working on | | | | critical. Strengthening the abs in particular, which can be |
| those acquired skills will make you even better. The | | | | done using a medicine ball in addition to other methods, |
| sport of Hockey is no different. If you look at the best | | | | can greatly improve strength and explosiveness. When |
| players in the world, you would be out of luck trying to | | | | using weights in a strength conditioning program, it is |
| find any of the "greats" that didn't incorporate some | | | | recommended to start off with light weights, build |
| form of training into their routine. To put it simply, | | | | some initial strength, and then work your way up. |
| training is important. It's a must. It helps you improve, | | | | Increasing the strength of one's upper body will allow |
| and the benefits can be tremendous. | | | | players to shoot with more power and pass over a |
| The Importance of Flexibility | | | | greater range of distances. Most importantly though, |
| Flexibility may be one of the most overlooked aspects | | | | sports demand that you work your whole body, and |
| of physical preparation. For some, flexibility consists of | | | | thus you should incorporate a whole-body workout, |
| nothing more than some half hearted stretches | | | | especially for improving core strength. |
| following their endurance, speed or strength session(s), | | | | In all, the "practice routines" mentioned above are only |
| giving little importance to this crucial aspect. This is | | | | a few ideas that can be applied to help improve your |
| something that shouldn't be overlooked. Don't leave this | | | | game of hockey. There are many articles you can find |
| part out. | | | | on the Internet that go in-depth about each aspect and |
| Working On Speed | | | | more for your sport of choice, including hockey. |
| If you want the power to move quickly and the | | | | Regardless of what anyone tells you, training for your |
| stamina for sustained hard skating, you must condition | | | | sport of choice is a necessity. Whether that's baseball, |
| the muscles and cardiovascular system to build | | | | basketball, or even hockey. It doesn't matter what the |
| strength, power, and endurance. While flexibility is an | | | | sport is, training will help improve not only your skills, but |
| important aspect to your training routine, strength and | | | | of course, your overall game performance. One thing I |
| power are equally important as the key for speed | | | | must stress is that training shouldn't be looked at as |
| development. The Step-Up in particular is an excellent | | | | something negative. Something that "has" to be done, |
| exercise as it targets the quad, glut-hamstring muscle | | | | but you don't really feel like doing. In reverse, it should |
| groups that are key for speed development. Stick | | | | be looked at as something that's positive, knowing that |
| handling can also greatly improve your speed, in | | | | the effort you put in will be well worth it and most |
| addition to timing, eye and stick coordination, precision, | | | | definitely pay off. |
| puck control, touch, feel and consistency when handling | | | | Make the "training routine" that you create for yourself |
| a puck or stick handling ball. | | | | a fun one. That's so important. In whatever you do, and |
| Working on Strength | | | | it's not just limited to sports, you should look for the |
| Strength conditioning has increasingly become a central | | | | "fun in it." Get friends to join you and have them |
| factor to one's hockey training routine. For most | | | | actually partake in the actual exercises or have them |
| athletes, it is an essential component in their training | | | | act as your coach, lending you some motivation. So, |
| program(s), and therefore should not be neglected. | | | | what are you waiting for? Get out there and train. |
| Incorporating exercises in your routine that help | | | | Good luck! |