Brea Hockey

Many of the goalie drills that you see being practiced focus on positioning within the crease. This makes sense because if a hockey goalie cannot get into position to cut down the angle or make the save, then the odds are not in their favour to be successful. I feel that goalie drills focusing on hand eye reaction can also make a huge impact on performance, but I believe this type of training is under utilized. How often do you see a hockey goalie move across the crease, get in position, but simply miss the puck with their glove? Admittedly, this does not happen all the time, but one bad goal every three or four games can have a dramatic effect on your save percentage. Before going over[..]

Ice hockey is very unique when you compare it to most other sports. While many youth hockey players and parents have dreams of their child going off to play an elite level of hockey such as juniors, college and eventually professional hockey. Many parents and youth hockey players think that they need to leave home at an early age such as fifteen or sixteen years old. Is this true? Actually it is very debatable whether or not having a hockey player leave home in their early teen years is beneficial for that childs' development as a hockey player and as a person. While many hockey players who live in hockey hot bed areas of North America probably will not have to worry about going too far[..]

Welcome to the final installment of this five part special report on in-season training for ice-hockey. Let me as you a question. How many of you spent extra time working on your shooting or stick handling over the summer? Do these fundamental skills get the same attention during the season? Again it will depend a little bit on your coach and a little bit on your ice time, but do not believe that playing in games is a substitute for practicing your skills. Let's say you get a good amount of ice time - 21-minutes per game on average. Of the 21-minutes, how much time is spent handling the puck? Not very much right? If you can get on the ice a bit early or stay on the ice a few minutes[..]

I Grew up in the Boston area in the sixties when the National Hockey League consisted of only six teams and the Boston entry was something less than a source of pride for its followers. Mired in mediocrity for years, a savior cam from Parry Sound, Ontario in the form of a skinny sixteen year old kid named Bobby Orr. Shortly thereafter via some clever trades and sound draft picks, a whole new crop of players arrived, meshed almost instantly and the Big Bad Bruins were born. Suddenly, every kid in New England asked their parents for skates and hockey sticks for Christmas. I was bitten by the hockey bug in a big way. My brothers and I built a rink in my back yard so we could play after[..]

It's pretty tough to find a game that is more fun than floor hockey, in large part because it's a fast-paced, exciting sport that can be played by individuals of all ages and skill sets. Another great thing about floor hockey is that it can be played virtually anywhere. Unlike many other sports, it is a necessary to have specialized fields or equipment to play. In fact, the little equipment that you will need is relatively inexpensive, especially if you shop online. The Internet is loaded with quality sporting goods web sites that offer deep discounts on floor hockey equipment. Some of these websites may require that you buy multiple items in order to qualify for the savings. These[..]

Are you an avid hockey player who wants to be taken serious about the game that you love? Knowing how to tape your hockey stick is very important so you will want to learn how to do it the right way. Nobody wants to be the person hanging out on the side of the rink fumbling with their stick trying to get just the right amount of tape on there the right way. Here are a few tips that will help you learn to tape hockey sticks the right way. The first thing that you will want to do is make sure that you have a roll of black cloth tape handy to use. Next, you will want to remove any old tape that has been previously applied to the blade of your stick. Then you will want to apply a strip of[..]

Selecting the right type of ice hockey stick is very important in bringing your game to the next stage. There are a number of unique types of sticks available on the market nowadays, so it truly comes down to a player's personal preference. The sticks come in a variety of different materials and stiffness, so you should test out different varieties until you find one that works well for you. In addition,, the amount of flex that a stick has also plays a major factor in the performance of the stick. The most popular and cheapest type of sticks are made of wood. These types of sticks are frequently used by beginners because of their low price. They tend to be fairly stiff and do not offer[..]

Many outlets storing sports goods allow players to customize their own blade and shaft, making them believe that it is a custom build. However, for few hockey players, the feel of making one's own hockey stick is just incomparable. Good quality plywood is the best material to make hockey sticks. Wood For this, you require wood glue, high quality plywood, several c-clamps or vises, graph paper, fiber glass coating, tape measure, pencil, chisel, sandpaper and saw. With the blade set at wider than 90 degree angle, the entire project requires 70 cm width. Depending on personal preferences, a lot of stick size variation also comes into the picture. The lengthier the stick, the stronger is the[..]

When you think of ice skates, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it the pair of blades that glide across the frozen pond in town or the skates that trudge through competitors during an NHL hockey game? There are numerous reasons why people buy and wear ice skates, from the Olympic ice dancer to the recreational user. While various kinds of skates exist, an assortment of factors separates the skates from one another, in terms of shape, maintenance, and purpose. Ice skates are really just a pair of boots with blades placed on the bottom. After properly securing this sort of footwear, the ability to glide across a surface made from ice is possible. What we use today are a[..]

Ice hockey evolved and developed from the concept of field hockey that was played in Europe for many years. A McGill University student named J.G.A Creighton, as most of us know took the modern day version of ice hockey from its roots in Canada. He was the dubbed the 'grandfather' of ice hockey regulations since his rules were used in the first game of ice hockey played in Montreal in 1875. Around the 18th century the first rink or playing area for ice hockey was used in a game common right at that moment in Scotland called 'curling'. The original team line up consisted of 30 people on each side and their reply to a goal was frozen stones on both ends of this line of business which is[..]

It is well after midnight and I am just starting to write this article. I have attended a Valentine's party at my son's preschool, had two meetings at clients' offices, lost a large contract that we had bid, played toddler street hockey, closed a deal by phone with another client on the other side of the country, cooked dinner and watched the winter Olympics as a family, attempted an internet conference, and now, in less than five hours my son will be waking up ready for a new day. Being a work-at-home dad is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. When you work at home you are, in effect, taking on a second job. Your family, the same family you decided to stay home and raise, the[..]

Located in the northern Snohomish County, Arlington city is roughly 40 miles north of Seattle. The area covered by the city is 8.2 square miles. In the south of Arlington there exists The City of Marysville and in south west the Tulalip Indian Reservation is there. The city is bounded by the flood plains in north and the Stillaguamish River. The city is sub urban and rural residential. In the central portions of the city Light industrial and manufacturing business are located. This not so big city is still luring the tourists to its attractions. Arlington city have those things that are worth visiting. If you ever go in the Arlington city then you may experience the city at its best. The[..]

I have facilitated a sports program at Camp Med, a licensed day care program sponsored by the City of South Pasadena, for five years now - that's about 500 sports hours. Generally about thirty children from the ages of 5-11 participate, although this number can go as low as ten and as high as sixty. The children are very engaged with their sports hour, the competitive spirit of the games is high and through the years, their teamwork and sportsmanship have increased. There are three basic strategies/dynamics at work that help make their sports hour a happy hour. Praise the Children Positive feedback gives the child a lifeline to expand into the sport and participate in a greater way.[..]

One of the major teams of the National Hockey league, the Penguins have a fanatical fan base. The team has also very rarely put down its followers by always fulfilling their talent. Their wins have been clinical and many of their defeats also have not been because of the lack of talent or focus. It is no wonder that the team has a large following in spite of varied standing. The Penguin fans are special and are easily caught out by their liking to use the Penguin team's jerseys. Amongst all the jerseys of several the teams, the penguin dresses are the most sought after and this indicates that the fans prefer to show their support by donning the team jersey. If you are a fan and have[..]

A recent study coming out of Warwick University cited that girls are more likely to be victims of bullying in the age group 6-10 years old. As a junior hockey coach, bullying is something you'll need to deal with, so I thought it would be relevant to generate a brief synopsis so we can manage this better when it happens. Bullying is subtle and corrosive to kids self-esteem. As an adult and a person with influence within the team environment, bullying needs to be identified early and the behavior needs to stop. Here are the findings: * A child bullied at the tender age of 6 years old is twice as likely to be bullied at 10 years old than someone who wasn't bullied at 6. * Girls formed what[..]

In part one of this series, we focused on mobility training for hockey players and now we will shift our attention to core training. Like the mobility exercises, you should be able to complete your core training within 10-20 minutes. Let me make it clear that this is not an article about "ab" training; this is not an article about how to get a ripped six-pack. This article is written for athletes who need to use the muscles of their torso to generate power and maximize stability while they dominate their sport. The first thing I want you to do is test yourself by performing the following exercises. - core plank for 45s with perfect technique - bent knee sit up bringing elbows to knees[..]

There are various different reasons why people put on a pair of ice skates as there are many different varieties of skating. The list is pretty much endless of every category there is so it is nearly impossible to cover all of them at once. However, certain types are more popular and more well known than others. Figure skating has become more and more popular over recent decades thanks to ice skates becoming more advanced. Whereas before people were limited in their movements because of the way ice skates were made, nowadays skaters are able to perform all sorts of fancy movements. In figure skating alone there are several different categories such as singles, pairs, ice dance and[..]

Hockey warm ups are a crucial part of both training and on-ice play, yet countless players do them the wrong way every single time! The vast majority of players, do static stretches to loosen up and get ready to either train or play. What they don't know is that doing static stretches is sure-fire way to reduce your performance. That's why you need to be doing dynamic stretches including these 3 great dynamic warm-ups. Jumping Jacks The simply jumping jack is one of the absolute best dynamic warm ups you can do to get your blood pumping, your heart rate up, and your muscles and joints loosened up and ready to go. Just find an open area you're free to move around and jump and perform a[..]

In hockey agility is of the utmost importance. Speed is great, but it's worthless if you're only fast in a straight line. Being able to quickly change direction while maintaining speed and balance is something that every dominant player can do. Here are three great tips to help you become more agile on the ice. 1) Start slow but make speed the ultimate goal. If you can't do a drill properly there isn't really any point in doing it. And rushing to do a drill at full speed if you haven't mastered all the aspects of it will do you far more harm than good. Re-enforcing bad habits is not something you need. Start your drills at a speed where you can execute every aspect perfectly, but[..]

Hockey is a popular game played all over the world. The exact date of its origin is not known. One belief is that it originated from the English game of field hockey. When the English came to North America, they realized that ice is faster than grass and started playing on ice covered ponds. Today, the term "hockey" in the US is synonymous with ice hockey. The term "hockey" is derived from the French word 'hoquet' meaning 'shepherds crook' which is similar in shape to a hockey stick. Modern ice hockey was played for the first time in the United States in 1893. The game became very popular and in a very short time spread to Great Britain and other European countries. It is now played in[..]

3 Tips for learning how to ice skate When you are trying to learn how to ice skate the task may seem impossible. How are you going to step on to a slippery ice surface, with thin metal blades beneath your feet and actually be able to move? Well it seems like a hard task, and it does take a lot of practice, but the firs thing you should do before trying to ice skate is learn the process. Below I have written 3 tips that should help you learn how to ice skate faster 1: Stay low - If you are standing pencil legged when you on the ice it is very difficult to balance. Remember to bend your knees and put your legs shoulder width apart this will lower your center of gravity. This is called the[..]

I had comment posted on one of my hockey training videos posted on YouTube, the athlete asked me what hockey team I played for. Although I do play some adult pick up hockey from time to time, I don't think this is what he was looking for. I had to confess that I am a fitness coach who happens to work with many hockey players. I typically leave the on-ice training to the hockey coach or power skating coach, after all he or she is the expert in that realm. One exception is on-ice conditioning. Where many elite level players take time away from the ice for the summer, I like my clients to do some power skating and on-ice conditioning once or twice per week during June and July, expecting[..]

Before the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabers met only two days after the Olympic Games break the Penguins honored all Olympic players and coaches involved in the 2010 Men's Ice Hockey Tournament on both teams rosters. When they got up to the two Silver Medalist's representing the United States of American the Tournament MVP's name was announced. Ryan Miller! The opposing teams player on the night of the game received a hefty and long standing ovation as so did Pittsburgh's own Brooks Orpik also representing the US. When they announced and honored the Gold Medalist's from Canada Pittsburgh's own Marc Andre Fleury, the cheers were much less than Orpik and Miller. Then they[..]

What is Bubble Hockey? Lets drop the puck and let the fun begin... Bubble, or dome hockey as it is also called, got its name because of the very apparent dome that covers the play-field. Typically the game is played either one on one or two one two with the competitors being responsible for the 5 players and the goalie. Game play is fast and furious as the puck never leaves the playing surface. Face-offs are automatic as the puck is either dropped onto the surface from above or ejected onto the playing surface. Most of the games have audio effects that offer realistic gaming experiences. Some, such as the classic Super Chexx, offer coin-op options that can be switched on and off for[..]

Not all training is alike, and hockey strength training will specifically target exercises that will translate into improvements when you hit the ice. To be at your best at the rink, you need to always be training, and the weight room is one of the best places to do it. Here are three tips on getting the most out of your workouts. 1) Train for power as well as strength and endurance.Not all lifting trains your muscles in the same way. A lot of players will go to the gym and do 8 or more reps of certain weight, at a pretty medium pace. This kind of lifting will train strength. To train power, a necessity in hockey, you need to use more weight, through fewer repetitions, and explode[..]

Hockey Speed is comprised of two elements: skating power and foot speed. For a hockey player to reach his or her full speed potential, both of these areas must be developed. Improving foot speed is relatively simple, players can perform quick feet and agility drills both on and off the ice. However, increasing skating power is much more complex. Skating power is a combination of stride technique and strength & explosiveness in the legs and core muscles of the athlete. Therefore, in order to achieve a powerful stride a hockey player must develop certain skills both on and off the ice. Here are a few tips to increase skating power during practices and off-ice training: 1. Slow Down -[..]

Training for any sport is a necessity. Even if your naturally good at any sport in particular, working on those acquired skills will make you even better. The sport of Hockey is no different. If you look at the best players in the world, you would be out of luck trying to find any of the "greats" that didn't incorporate some form of training into their routine. To put it simply, training is important. It's a must. It helps you improve, and the benefits can be tremendous. The Importance of Flexibility Flexibility may be one of the most overlooked aspects of physical preparation. For some, flexibility consists of nothing more than some half hearted stretches following their endurance,[..]

During the course of a practice, it is not uncommon for players to get bored and become sluggish, especially at young ages while working on monotonous skills like technical skating. Adding hockey shooting drills into the mix is a great way to liven up your practice and keep your players motivated and up beat. High tempo shooting drills can also help spark some competition and mentally rejuvenate your players during longer practices. When working with hockey shooting drills, I try to implement a few key points that help my players to get the most benefit possible: 1. Insist that players keep their feet moving while shooting, or shoot in stride. Many players slow down and glide just[..]

Many hockey players are looking for ways to improve their game. Here are five ways to help guide you to becoming that great player that you want to be. Step One - Knowledge. Study up on hockey by watching as many games as you can whether it be in person or on television. Dont always watch the person with the puck. Find out who is playing your position and focus on their movements, watch how they study the developing play and step in to either stop a shot or score a goal. Step Two - Conditioning. Skate as often as possible. Use some of the conditioning techniques posted on the web site to help you out. Go to the gym or work out as much as possible at home. Work on lots of cardio exercises[..]

Playoff hockey is just about the most exciting sporting event to watch, live or otherwise, especially when a #8 seed beats a #1 seed. The Sharks were the victim of a freak overtime goal, but who cares if it was a freak goal? A win is a win. I'm not a big fan of either the #1 seeded San Jose Sharks, or the #8 seeded Colorado Avalanche, so it's easy for me to pull for a great hockey game hoping in the end that David nips Goliath. In game #3 Sunday night in Colorado, that's exactly what happened, even if it happened in a weird way. First, the great game. Craig Anderson, goaltender for the Avs, stopped a whopping 51 shots on goal, beating the Sharks 1-0 in overtime. Now for the weird. San[..]

Being a fast player in female hockey has very little to do with how fast you can skate in a straight line. The reality is that when most girls hockey players of the same age and ability level get up to their full speed, they are all pretty much equally fast. What separates the fastest players from the rest is how fast they can get up to full speed, their ability to change direction and their ability to react to the puck and their opponents. Speed is about being fast in every direction you move and being fast with every decision you make. Being able to read and react to the play instantaneously is what separates the best female hockey players from the rest. You can be the fastest skater[..]

When it comes to achieving "mastery" in your chosen activity, experts say you need to spend 10,000 hours perfecting your craft. Now 10,000 hours is a lot of time, especially when you consider that most girls' hockey players are only on the ice for an average of 7 hours a week during the season and much less frequently in the off-season. So how would a young player looking to make it to the highest levels of hockey be able to accumulate enough hours to reach the top of her sport? When would she have to start? Here's how those 10,000 hours might breakdown (assuming that she is training all year around with a two week break): => If she spent 10 hours per week training for 50 weeks of the[..]

While I was finishing my basement I got a very nice idea of what to make of it. We all wanted a place where the whole family could have some fun and spend time together. Of course we have an entertainment center at home with a great sound system and a big flat screen TV; however we also needed a place for some interactive fun as well. And the decision of the entire family, taken after long discussions, was to get an air-hockey table. We chose that due to a few good reasons. To start with we have an exciting game that's quite energetic and fast and despite all that you do not need any strategy or any special knowledge in order to play. In fact you only have to hit the puck and pray it[..]

The majority of young players will be participating in skill-based training camps this summer. However, a select number will be heading off to high-performance tryout camps over the course of the next few months. These camps are usually by invitation only or at least require a player to go through an application process in order to be selected. Players will be trying to impress scouts and coaches in order to make their regional, provincial or national all-star team. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce. How To Stand Out From The Crowd and Make The Team These tryout camps are less about learning and more about performance. While players will certainly be able to learn a lot[..]

Ask just about any dominant player, and they'll tell you that they took hockey power skating at some point in their lives. Power skating lessons are absolutely essential in developing proper mechanics and no player can possibly play at their highest potential if their skating isn't as strong as possible. Here are three simple tips on improving skating speed and power. 1) When it comes to skating, form is everything. Skating is a completely unnatural movement that no human being can naturally do without much practice. Because of this, people who never take power skating will undoubtedly skate with improper form. The longer this goes on, the deeper the bad habits get. Tiny corrections[..]

Off-ice off-season training programs for hockey are much easier to find than ever before. However, becoming more mainstream does not mean that these programs are any more effective for developing young hockey players. Most summer hockey training programs fall victim to the same four problems and players, parents and coaches should do everything they can to avoid programs that have any of these fundamental flaws. 1) NOT Youth-Specific You can open up virtually any fitness magazine and find a strength training program. You could take this program down to your local gym and start training right now. But you should NEVER give one of these programs to a young athlete. Odds are that the[..]

Over the past few years, the number of youth-specific fitness facilities has exploded across North America. While many are focused developing on general fitness, many are attempting to branch out into the sports-specific markets - and the youth hockey market is certainly no exception. These fitness chains boast that they are "interactive fitness facilities designed especially for youth". They are jam-packed with video game-based exercise bikes and kid-sized strength training equipment. Youth-specific training facilities are a good idea, whose time has finally come due to increased concerns about childhood inactivity and obesity. However, machine-based facilities that focus on training[..]

Looking for Value? Who isn't. Staying clear of Team Canada, the USA and Sweden with your Olympic hockey bets this season is a sure thing. Literally. While the major teams have the best chances of winning the tournament outright, if you're smart, you can easily make some cash on smaller games. Making prop bets especially on the early round games and any contest that doesn't involve Team Canada can not only be a fun way to waste through the early competition but also offers some good chances for making a buck. Underdog teams that offer great odds: 1. Czech Republic. They haven't won Internationally in a while, but they're stacked with NHL talent and their Goal tending is superb, even their[..]