09/29/2023
Power skating...
Coach: "Skate as hard as you can until you 🤢🤮!"
HARD NO. Let's talk about it.
Do you know what an inside and outside edge is?
Do you have a proper stride?
Are you hitting your full stride potential?
How are your fundamentals?
Can you stop with both feet both directions?
What can you do on one skate?
Can you do the same on the other skate?
Can you even get up from the ice without using your hands or stick?
We have seen high level players who still cannot stop on both feet in both directions. This is one of the basic techniques in the very first column of criteria in the Canadian and USA skating development models.
Why would a coach tell you to skate harder and faster if you cannot answer "yes" to all of these questions? The only thing you're doing fast is risking injury and further encouraging improper technique.
If you are a player or a parent of a player, you need to understand even the most elite hockey players are continuously working on edge work and skating fundamentals. There is no free lunch here and absolutely no short cuts to development.
We see it all too often that players skip over their skating to work on their stick handling and shooting. Ask yourself, what is the main difference you notice from rec
