HOW TO DEVELOP SKATING SPEED
SKATING
When we say skating we are referring to skating forwards, backwards, speed, edgework, crossovers, stopping, starting, tight turns, stride length, stride frequency, etc. Without being taught the proper skating mechanics, a player has little chance of becoming a great player. Each of the above parts to skating will take a player years of “perfect practice” to become proficient. In our clinics we always tell our players that “If being great was easy everyone would be great”. You have to be willing to put the work in to be great. Now let’s get to work.
The first thing every player must realize is that skating is an unnatural movement. The legs do not naturally want to push to the outside of the body. The natural movement for each leg is seen in walking or running not pushing outwards as seen in skating. Because this movement isn’t natural it will take a great deal of proper technique training (perfect practice) to become proficient.
By “perfect practice” we mean that the player must be taught the proper techniques and execute these techniques thousands of times to maximize their potential. There is a certain geometry to an excellent skater. At Pro Performance Hockey we take great pride in showing every single player the science of proper knee bend, leg extension, skate blade angle, etc. We will now touch on one of the most important skating skills needed to become a great hockey player.
SPEED
Everyone wants to be fast but very few people actually know what it takes. It is our opinion that it takes 3 main things to be a fast skater. Stride length, stride frequency and attitude. Missing any one of these three components and you will be slow. We breakdown these 3 main components below:
STRIDE LENGTH must start with the proper knee bend. It is a fact that really good athletes can bend well. We call the bended knee position “loaded”. At the start of the stride the knees must bend to at least a 90 degree position. We start every single skating clinic at Pro Performance Hockey with double and single leg squats. It is absolutely critical for a player to feel the 90 degree position and build the leg strength to return to that position after every stride. The second part of the stride is leg extension. We call this position “unloaded”. The unloading of the leg must include the full release of 3 joints (the hip joint, the knee joint and the ankle joint). A constant verbal reminder and visual representation of this must be included in every skating session.
STRIDE FREQUENCY is the “turnover ratio” of each stride. After the full extension of the leg a player must return that leg back to the 90 degree position as quickly as possible. Players must realize that their right leg cannot release until the left leg returns fully under the body and the left leg cannot release until the right leg returns fully under the body. Most slower skaters have a pronounced arc with their skate when returning the leg to the loaded position. If this arc is not corrected to a low and level movement (barely off the ice) it will be nearly impossible for a player to be fast. It takes the proper mental pictures and comprehensive skating drills to enhance frequency. Painting a clear mental picture in each hockey players mind is critical to their success.
ATTITUDE. The top players are taught about “sports psychology” at an early age. When we do speed drills at our clinics we tell each participant that…“Today you are going to skate faster than you ever have in your life”. If you want to be fast than you need to practice fast, with the proper techniques of course. We strongly believe that every player is capable and willing to put the work in if they are treated with respect and given the reasons as to why they need to do something. A player will inherently know when being properly coached and will try harder and smarter when given the proper knowledge and reasons as to why this will help them succeed.
Thank you,
PRO PERFORMANCE HOCKEY STAFF