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For January/February, 2002
THE
HOCKEY STOP
The hockey stop is that sudden, flashy move that sends snow
flying and has spectators gawking. It
is the move that players use to “stop on a dime”. Many coaches insist that when changing direction, their
players should use stops and starts
rather than wide turns; they feel that when properly executed, stops and starts
are faster and more efficient than turns.
The hockey stop leaves players well prepared to start out
either in the same or in the opposite direction.
Following are some important things to remember when
executing hockey stops:
1. All stops require that the skates
slide or skid against, rather than cut into, the ice.
Use
shallow edges when stopping. The
front or outside skate should be on the inside edge; the back or inside
skate
should be on the outside edge.
2. Both skates are used to
stop.
Body weight distribution is usually 60% on
the front (outside) skate and 40% on the back (inside) skate.
3. Hockey stops
involve a 90 degree change of direction.
To
effectively execute the hockey stop the following steps are essential:
When gliding
forward in preparation for stopping, release your weight by unbending your
knees.
Now flip your hips 90 degrees (so you are facing sideways)
Re-bend your knees deeply as you scrape the ice with the skate blades.
Scrape the ice by
applying pressure to the ice with the balls of your feet, not with the heels.
The heels will dig into
the ice,
causing a turn rather than a stop.
Keep your feet at least shoulder width apart as you scrape the ice and
re-bend your knees.
For a more in-depth explanation of hockey stops, see my book, LAURA STAMM’S POWER SKATING, Third Edition. To order the book, click on Merchandise . The book is also available in most bookstores.
Skate Great Hockey,
LAURA STAMM
Copyright, January, 2002
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