Off-Ice Training Basics

The following article will attempt to serve as some general guidelines for those hockey players interested in using weight training as a tool to help better their hockey abilities.

From my experience in working with many hockey players, weight training WILL benefit every hockey player if done correctly. Weight training, when performed correctly, WILL help to improve power, quickness, speed, and balance. It will help to lower your risk of injury and help you recover faster from injury. Mentally it will make you tougher and give you the confidence you need to take your game to the next level.

The term "if performed correctly" is used for a specific reason. Let me explain. Weight training can be used to build 22" biceps or to rehabilitate a surgically repaired knee. It can be utilized to allow you to bench press 400 pounds or perform 50 pull ups. The question is what you want weights to do for you?

As a hockey player you should have very specific goals you want to accomplish in the weight room which will in turn transfer to the ice. You do not want to be in the weight room lifting like a bodybuilder or a football player. Joe Sakic, one of the best forwards in the world today, spoke one time regarding his training efforts as a junior player in Canada. Most of his work was on his upper body, very little if any leg work. As a result he gained upper body weight, which he stated did not make him feel good. He decided to give up weights until he learned that he was lifting wrong for a hockey player. He later returned to the weight room and focused on training specifically for hockey.

This brings me to the point of this article, which I will go into detail in later articles. As a hockey player you need to train as a hockey player. You need to take into consideration your weaknesses as a hockey player. You need to eat like a hockey player. You need to look like a hockey player. Have you ever seen a hockey player who weighs 300 pounds, has 30% body fat and squats over 600 pounds? Obviously not. This describes an offensive lineman in NFL. Would you train the same as this guy? Would you eat the same as this guy? I am exaggerating my point a little but I hope it gets the point across.

Join us here every month as I give you insight on how to train " like a hockey player" so you can become your best. This section will focus on 7 key areas of athletic development. These areas include flexibility for speed, balance, quick feet/agility, speed, strength, power and endurance/recovery. In addition we will teach you how to eat properly and how to think properly.

Dr. Clint Steele has had the pleasure of working with some of the best hockey players in the world today. He has trained players from all sports but focuses primarily on hockey players from amatuer-NHL level players, from the US, Canada, Sweden and Japan. In addition he has worked with teams from the NHL/AHL/ECHL and is currently the strength and conditioning coach for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Dr. Steele is an expert in the field of biomechanics and sport specific training. He is a guest columnist for American Hockey magazine and is a regular writer for Better Hockey The Magazine. He is president of a company called Better Hockey (www.betterhockey.com) and is also president and founder of a company called TOP DOG along with Doug McKenny ( 18 year strength coach in the NHL) www.topdogathlete.com . For question or comments please contact him at info@betterhockey.com