Skating Technique Crucial to Performance

Are you looking to take your hockey team to the next level? The skating treadmill might be the training tool you or your team needs. Skating technique is the single greatest factor that affects a player's speed, endurance and effectiveness on the ice.

What are some of the most common flaws with a skating stride?

• Poor Stride Extension

Often, a short, choppy stride is seen with hockey players. This type of stride not only decreases the athletes' ability to reach optimal top speeds, but it also significantly decreases the athletes' endurance

• Poor Trunk Stability

Often players will skate bending over too far at the trunk. This instantly decreases stride length and raises the athletes' centre of gravity. If a player, therefore, is puck handling with this type of stride they will immediately lose much of the stability on their skates

• Lateral Arm Swing

Many players use an arm swing that forces a lateral shift, from side to side as they skate down thee ice. This type of arm swing, however, causes all the power produced by the skater to move side-to-side, in a zig-zagging motion

 

What does the skating treadmill do for hockey players?

1. Enhances Stride Length

Hockey is a game of power endurance, or the ability to repeatedly be explosive, and reach and maintain a top speed in a matter of steps. A full stride extension allows for decreased effort, with increased top speed, endurance and efficiency. This directly relates to the strength and stability of the core, hip, and knee joint.

2. Improves Recovery Stride

As the leg returns from its previous extension, an efficient skater will place his/her recovery leg under their chest. This will ensure optimal stride length, and balance of the support leg which remains under the body while the opposite leg extends.

3. Increases Knee Flexion

Increased knee flexion, or sitting down, allows for greater leg extension which ultimately contributes to increases in speed and power.

4. Enhances Stability

With an increase in trunk stability, players will skate in a more upright position. This will increase their stride length and lower the athletes' centre of gravity, all increasing the stability on their skates. Thus, a hockey player will be able to move laterally with the puck quicker, and be less easily knocked off by thee puck.

5. Efficient Arm Swing

The quickest way from point A to B is a straight line. A more efficient arm swing, similar to that of a runner, consists of arms moving linearly in an up-and-down motion, rather than a side-to-side range.

Skating Treadmill Assessments

At the Performance Institute, we have a unique system to assess skating technique & efficiency, max. power and endurance. Our knowledge and understanding of human physiology allows us to better understand the athletes' strengths and weaknesses based on their personal assessment.

To book a session on our treadmill, call the Performance Institute at (604) 291-9941