Ice Hockey Training & Fitness
Playing ice hockey is a very different sport to lots of the other sports out there. Ice hockey is a very fast and demanding game. Unlike some sports ice hockey does not require long continued lengths of endurance, but requires a lot of energy in small bursts. Ice hockey is played with many players, but they are all not on the ice at the same time. Each set of players on the ice at the one time is called a line and there are usually enough players in the team to play three lines. This means that a line of players will go out on the ice for a small amount time such as a few minutes, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. Those players out on the ice will need to give 110% to the game when they are out there, attacking and defending at every opportunity possible. They will need to skate fast and make the most of any breakway situation as well have the strength to battle in front of the goal to find an opening and shoot. Then, when they decide it is enough or their bench manager calls, they come off the ice and fresh players with fresh legs go on the ice to continue with the game and those players can take a quick rest, water break and recompose their bodies and minds before going back out there and doing it all again. It is for this reason that their ice hockey training is so important and that each player focuses on what they need to get out of their specific ice hockey drills, coaching and fitness regimes. They need to ensure that they work on their fitness and body strength to be able to give their best to their games and training.
Ice Hockey Training & Drills
With this in mind, ice hockey coaches have to consider the age and ability of their players they are coaching making sure that they get the best from their players, that they achieve their basic skating skills and then add to these skills with the addition of drills. Junior players being children of a varying age range need particular attention to the ice hockey training session to ensure that they are suitable for all the players. Ice hockey coaches also need to consider that their bodies are at different stages in growing and developing and it is important that a younger child is not tired or pushed too hard by over developing and having too long a session so that they become too tired.
It is important that ice hockey training drills are explained and understood. It can add great benefit if the players understand what they should be getting out of each drill, what is happening, why it is being done and most important of all when or how it can be used in the game.
Being an ice hockey player requires commitment and dedication to your team to keep your development and performance at its best. This dedication will improve you as player, make you an asset to your team and give value to your contribution to the fast and exciting game of ice hockey.
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