July/August, 2007 

SKATING FOR THE “NEW HOCKEY”  Part 2.

This tip is a continuation of the previous (May-June, 2007) tip, Skating for the New Hockey, Part 1.

Starts (Explosive Acceleration):

            Forward Starts:

a. Frontal - Accelerating from stop to go – using the front start.

Front Start sequence

b. Frontal - Accelerating from stop to go – using the crossover start.

Crossover Start sequence

Players must also be able to accelerate from skating slowly to skating explosively, both when skating straight forward or while doing crossovers.

Backward Starts:

Players must be able to accelerate from stop to go with either a straight backward start or a backward crossover start.  They must also be able to accelerate backward from skating slowly to skating explosively, both when skating straight backward or while doing crossovers.

Backward crossover start sequence

Hockey Stop:

A good hockey stop sets up an explosive hockey start. Both are critical to get off the mark quickly.  

Hockey Stop

Transitional Moves:

Transitional moves are used to change direction

1.         Changing direction from forward to backward

2.         Changing direction from forward to forward:

The Pivot or tight turn.  These are some of the most often used transitional moves in today’s hockey.

The Pivot: the entry phase

The Pivot (tight turn) is used in many different game situations:

a.         As escape turns:  Used by players as an escape move to lose the defender who is tracking closely from behind.

b.         As delay turns:  Used by players in the offensive zone when looking to pass to a trailer or to lose a defending player.  

Note:

The Pivot turn must be tight and quick, not wide and slow.

Turn toward the action, not away from it.

The Pivot: The Sequence

3.                   Changing direction from backward to forward.

These turns can be done on a straight line or on an angle. They are done on an angle (angling) when defenders turn from backward to forward on an angle from their initial line of travel.  The idea is to angle and cut off opposing attackers.

Turning (Angling) from backward to forward without using a backward crossover

Turning (Angling) from backward to forward using a backward crossover prior to turning

4.         Changing direction from backward to backward.

The above exercise can be done from forward to forward, forward to backward, backward to forward, or backward to backward

5.         Bulling:

Bulling is a powerful transitional move used when trying to protect the puck and keep it away from an opponent.  It is an effective way to draw a penalty while driving toward the net.   

Bulling – Protecting the Puck

Points to Remember:

* Skate with one hand on stick while accelerating in open ice. This is the best way to use your arms effectively. When used properly and forcefully the arms significantly enhance one’s speed.

* Keep the hockey stick on the ice. Too many players lose opportunities to get the puck because they can’t get the stick down in time to catch a puck or a loose puck.

* When angling and checking an opponent, hold the hockey stick in one hand.  Keep the stick on the ice during the check. This will help you pick up the puck as well as to avoid penalties.

* Keep your head up!  Be AWARE!  See everything that’s going on around you. The game “happens” so fast that the advantage is gained or lost in a fraction of a second.

Ask players such as Scott Niedermayer, Rob Niedermayer, Doug Weight, or Chris Drury how important proper skating technique was to their development as supreme hockey players. I’m sure they would encourage you to work on your skating skills in the off season.

The skating moves described above are covered in detail in my book and demonstrated in my DVD, LAURA STAMM’S POWER SKATING.

Laura Stamm power skating clinics are offered throughout the US. Take advantage of them - they will help you to

SKATE GREAT HOCKEY!

LAURA STAMM

Copyright, May, 2007.

Tip Index