subject: How to Skate Faster - 3 Tips to Help You Reach Maximum Speed on the Ice [print this page] The question of how to skate faster is one that should be on the mind of every hockey player, regardless of how good they already are. Speed is dominant in hockey, and you can get faster. Here are three tips that will have you skating faster in no time.
1) Optimize your stride for speed.
Skating is a finicky thing. Slight imperfections in stride can make a huge difference in your results. When you skate, avoid short choppy strides. Only the first few strides should be quick to get you up to top speed. Then focus on long, powerful strides. Try to keep the entire length of the blade on the ice when you push.
2) Don't move your arms from side to side.
This is a simple step to take, but a lot of players don't do this and it hurts them. When you swing your arms from side to side when skate, you're only bleeding off energy in a direction other than the one you're moving in. It also affects your balance. When you skate, keep your arms in tight, and pump them back and forth.
3) Work on your skating in the gym as much as you do on the ice.
If you truly want to get faster, you need to be working on it in the gym as well as on the ice. Fitness is one of the most important factors in hockey, and skating is no different. The best thing you can do in the gym is follow a hockey specific workout routine that will target the exact muscles you use in the game.
How to Skate Faster - 3 Tips to Help You Reach Maximum Speed on the Ice
