Each year coaches try to help
players with the three most common mistakes that players make in
their skating (with respect to their overall skating
techniques). These include: not enough kneebend, using two hands
on the stick, and poor edge-control. Correcting one or all of
these common errors will automatically improve your skating
ability.
Kneebend
Explanation:
One fundamental that will improve your skating is bending your
knees to more than what feels comfortable. You will find that
your balance immediately improves, as well as your stride
length, mobility and speed.
Tips:
Bend your knees deeply so that they are covering or about 2" out
in front of the toes of your skates. The Knee should always be
out in front of the toes of your skates (except for in the tight
turn, where the outside edge skate should lead you into the
turn). If your legs are not burning (especially the thigh area)
after a shift or at the end of practice, than you know you are
not bending the knees to the optimal position.
Stick Control
Explanation:
Obviously, when you shoot, pass, catch a pass, etc. you should
use two hands on the stick. However, when you are attempting to
gain top speed in open ice you should have one hand (your top
hand) on the stick (even with the puck). Be sure to stretch your
arms fully to the front, rather than side to side, so that you
are able to keep all your momentum and speed going in the
direction you are traveling.
Tips:
Use one hand on the stick whenever you are in open ice
situations. Keeping one hand on the stick will dramatically
improve your balance, especially when skating backwards.
Remember to turn the palm of your stickhand up once the arm has
fully extended to the front, this will flatten your stick out on
the ice, allowing you to maintain top speed while pushing the
puck on your backhand side.
Edgework
Explanation:
You have to be able to grip the ice with the edges of your
skates in order for you to get maximum power and control. The
proper angle of an edge rolling to the ice should be maintained
at 45°, halfway to the ice. Too many players we see never roll
the ankles of their skates which means they are standing mostly
on the flats of the blades. This causes your grip against the
ice to be lessened. In other words, shoddy
edgework causes you to slide on top of the ice, rather than
digging into it. This mistake will severely hamper your power,
turns, starts, etc.
Tips:
Make sure your edges roll at least halfway to the ice. Be sure
to center all of your bodyweight directly over your edge to
create a Counterbalancing effect. Try loosening the top two
laces on your skates, which will immediately give you more ankle
flexibility and allow you to roll your edges further to the ice.
|
