Anthony Donskov

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Hockey Sense: Installment #1

Posted by on in Coaching Development
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The best form of off-ice conditioning for young, aspiring hockey players is movement efficiency!   I know what you’re thinking…what the heck is movement efficiency?  Movement efficiency is the ability to effectively and efficiently reach a desired posture or movement.  As we age, many times we lose the requisite mobility needed to attain these postures and in doing so tremendously compromise our conditioning on the ice.  “Wait…wait..wait…” you say, “you mean to tell me that movement efficiency off the ice directly affects my son or daughters conditioning on the ice?”  That’s exactly what I’m saying.   The answer lies in basic physics.  Let’s take a deeper look as we attempt to solve this problem together. 

Impulse is a product of net force and the amount of time the force is applied.  If we can produce force for longer periods of time, we can create more impulse.  More impulse…. that’s a good thing.  If young Tommy can gain a few extra inches of knee bend, he can effectively increase the amount of time he has to apply force and be a much more efficient player when it comes to energy expenditure.  He has effectively improved his impulse.  Picture two bicycles in a race.  Both cyclists have identical body weights, bicycles and protective equipment.  However, one has a rusty bike chain and the other has been recently greased with WD40.  A rusty chain will immediately affect both pedal rate and pedal frequency.  Both bikes may cross the finish line, but one does so without compromising the rider’s energy or the integrity of his bike.  One is much more efficient.  One is using impulse to his/her advantage. 


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So….movement efficiency is paramount! It’s crucial for stride efficiency on the ice.  Here are a few of our favorite off-ice exercises to address this in the weight room.  Give em’ a try. 

 

 

Yours in Hockey,

Anthony Donskov

 

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