| Plyometric exercises are one of the top ways that ice | | | | Tuck Jumps: |
| hockey players can improve their speed and power | | | | Tuck jumps are done by starting from a standing |
| on the ice while in the gym. Plyometrics focuses on | | | | position and jumping into the air and tucking your knees |
| jumping and bounding explosively, and is one of | | | | up to your chest. Land on the balls of your feet and |
| incredible value to hockey players. Despite the fact | | | | immediately spring back up again. Once again, the goal |
| you don't need any special equipment to do | | | | is constant, explosive movement. Try and land softly |
| plyometrics, many players ignore it. Here are three | | | | and use the energy you store from landing to help you |
| great exercises you can do at home or in the gym to | | | | push back into the air. Keep your feet on the ground |
| make you faster and more explosive on the ice. | | | | for as little time as possible. |
| Squat Jumps: | | | | Box Drill with Rings: |
| Squat jumps are probably one of the simplest types | | | | The box drill is a great one because it has you jumping |
| of plyometrics exercise, and you can do them almost | | | | back, forth and side to side. For this one, set up four |
| anywhere. To perform a squat jump, simply lower | | | | rings (or any kinds of markets) in a box pattern. Stand |
| your body into the position you'd be in for a normal | | | | in the first ring (or on the first marker) and with your |
| squat, and then explode upward into a jump, raising | | | | feet kept together, jump from one market to another, |
| your arms above your head. When you land, | | | | never stopping in between, until you've completed the |
| immediately lower yourself back down and repeat. | | | | entire box. Once again, never keep your feet on the |
| The key is to not hold the squat position but to be | | | | ground. |
| constantly going up and down. | | | | |