Power Skating for Hockey

Power skating means that you utilize proper edges so that movement becomes intuitive. This allows a skater to have natural speed, agility, power, and endurance that will ultimately result in tight, quick movements.

Many hockey players, learn most of their skills through trial and error. Unfortunately, this method often results in skaters with a lack of fundamentals. The players may reach a point where they no longer improve. 

Aimée works with beginner skaters as well as strong, advanced players and can help rebuild their skills with sound fundamental theory and progressive training to ensure consistent skill development. 

This approach provides the skating foundation in which all other hockey game skills can be built. 

Aimée aims to establish the biomechanics of proper muscle movement with intentional skill drills, so that skaters can embody these attributes as they develop and evolve as hockey players and the elements become second nature.

Hockey players that have mastered critical skills have the edge over their competition! 

In addition to skating skills, I can also help hockey skaters preparing with strategies to succeed in tryouts, as well as periodized training plans - both on and off the ice!

Aimée is Certified by the PSA in Hockey Skating 1, 2, & 3, and works with hockey players to develop the following critical skills, both on and off the ice:

Edge Quality:

• Proper body alignment 
• Correct posture 
• Stable core muscles 
• Proper placement and pressure on the blade

Power:

• Deep knee bends 
• Acute ankle bends 
• Long pushes- full extension
• Toe snaps 
• Falling (such as onto the crossing foot of a crossover) 
• Rhythm 
• Equal bilateral strength and technique 

Extension:

• Extend free leg 
• Stretch up core 
• Lift head 
• Stretch arms 

Quickness:

• Reduce upper body movement 
• Correct body alignment 
• Falling steps (running) 
• Correct direction of pushes and free leg returns 
• Full commitment to a direction (all out forward- no side motions) 
• Cadence 

Turn Execution:

• Wider base for stability after turn 
• Good posture 
• Clean edges in and out of the turn 
• Accelerate out of turns 
• The stick may be used to create and check turns 

Continuous Flow:

• Constant pressure through the foot 
• Returning free leg without tension 
• Setting the returning free foot down, skate not hitting the ice 
• Skating a straight line between transitions 
• Send momentum, don’t control it 
• Rhythm 

Acceleration:

• Hockey players must be able to go from a standstill to full speed in just a few strides or gain speed as they finish most moves. 
• Falling (like a runner in a starting block) 
• Quick free leg returns 
• Rhythm 
• Arm swings (done correctly) should adjust to the length of the strides 

Agility:

• The core and glutes isolate the upper body from the lower body 
• Good posture 
• Proper body alignment (factoring stick handling)

Stability:

• Wider or narrower base as needed 
• Proper body alignment 
• Good posture 
• Low center of gravity 
• Good knee and ankle bends 
• Proper placement on the blade 
• Constant pressure of blade into the ice 

Balance:

• After contact a hockey player must regain their balance quickly to: avoid more contact, shoot the puck, pass the puck, catch a pass, or give a check. 
• Strong core muscles 
• Avoid a twisted body 
• Head up—keep a panoramic view 
• Lower the center of balance 

Direction Change:

• In a hockey game, the direction of the play, offense to defense and defense to offense, often happens multiple times per shift. The ability to move laterally and change direction rapidly are mandatory skills for hockey players. 
• Fully use the entire rock of the blade 
• The stick often leads a rapid direction change