WANT TO
IMPROVE YOUR
GAME THIS
SUMMER?
STAY OFF
THE ICE!
It sounds counterintuitive to today’s mindset but if you want to become a
better hockey player this summer then stay away from the rink.
PARDON ME?
When did youth hockey become a 12-month sport? It seems right after
the winter season ends, it’s the beginning of spring hockey, summer
tournaments and summer leagues. It’s too much! This statement comes
from a guy who ran 3on3 hockey leagues for 10 years.
My reasoning was if you’re going to play summer hockey, then at least make
it different and fun. I called it organized pond hockey and it was supposed
to be only one hour a week for families that just had to get their hockey fix.
I encouraged kids to go have fun, enjoy the summer, get outside, play other
sports and become an athlete first not just a hockey player. How will you
know what other sports you might like, or excel at, if you never get the
chance to try them? Summer was a time to recharge the batteries and relax
the mind and body.
So what happened? Well, spring hockey happened. Suddenly teams and
tournaments popped up everywhere and the continuation of 5on5 winter
hockey ran through the summer. Parents felt the need to keep up or get left
behind. Players were now playing and competing year round.
LEARN FROM THE PRO’s
What do professional hockey players do in the summer? Typically, right
after the season the guys will retreat home or take a vacation and do
absolutely nothing for a few weeks, letting all the aches and pains of a
long season heal and allow the mind to fully rest. Depending on when your
season wrapped up (playoffs or no playoffs) this relaxation time period will
vary, Then the summer workouts begin. Players will slowly migrate back to
the gym with their summer training programs, knowing the time to peak is
when training camps resume in the fall. Start slow then build each week,
getting stronger and faster as you go; it’s all part of the plan.
Building muscle, becoming faster, quicker, stronger will all develop off the
ice. Take the time to properly train and your game will get better! Not only
will you make physical gains but you’ll benefit greatly from the mental rest.
You’ll rediscover the love of the game and the excitement of a new season
rather than the mundane of a week to week grind.
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