Hockey Speed is comprised of two elements: Skating power and foot speed. Both of these areas must be developed for a hockey player to reach his or her full speed potential. Improving foot speed is relatively simple, players can perform quick feet and agility drills both on and off the ice. However, increasing skating power is much more complex than increasing foot speed.

Skating power is a combination of stride technique and strength & explosiveness in the legs and core muscles of the athlete. For that reason, players should develop certain on and off-ice skills that will help to attain a powerful skating stride. Here are a few tips to increase skating power during practices and off-ice training:

1. Slow Down – practice using slow, powerful strides, while focusing on executing perfect technique. This will allow you to develop proper technique, balance, strength and power.
2. Low, Strong, Skating Strides… Then Explode! – Focus on changing from 50% speed to 100% speed. Hockey consists of quick, explosive, bursts of speed. When exploding, nothing should change except your foot speed. Many young players find it difficult to maintain proper technique as they skate at faster speeds.
3. Increase Leg Strength and Explosiveness through Off-Ice Training – Few players take advantage of the benefits of off-ice training. This opens a door for you to gain an edge over your opponent. A well-designed off-ice training program that includes resistance training and plyometrics can catapult your skating speed to new levels!

Game simulations can be used by coaches to teach and reinforce speed and technique concepts. Skating technique usually breaks down as players become fatigued as the regular season progresses. By selecting and implementing effective hockey drills and designating time to focus on fundamentals, coaches can help their players to maintain proper skating technique throughout the entire season and be ready to go for playoffs!