On a personal level, I felt this morning's skate was an incredibly proud moment... After completing a 6-puck shoot-out I finished on top - the winner with 4 goals in total. A couple of others got 3, including coach Neilson (although I feel he allowed me the victory as a pleasant moral boost), but I took the title.
Moving on through the days course of events, a challenging leg workout was next in the morning. We focused on explosive leg power (for skating) and the pictures below help to show exactly what one of the drills looked like.
First of all, the tire is huge - and very, very heavy! In the pic above I start in a low squat position, which is paramount in order to create enough power and force to push the tractor tyre up, weighing in at around 180 kgs. I try to force the tyre up solely with my legs, exploding and breathing out as I go... this movement helps to develop a quick start in hockey.
In step 2, once I get the tyre up on it's side I must take a quick powerful stride forward and extend my arms as hard as I can in order to smash the tyre back down to the floor. This movement helps with good leg drive in the hockey stride and also helps develop upper body power to push players about in the corners and in front of the net.
Stage 3 is a quick series of jumps in and out of the tyre. We have to jump quick and high in order not to catch our feet on the tyre. Again, with this movement we're working on explosive leg power as well as speed - there is a element of coordination and agility as well. After completing the jumps I must run around and complete the three steps for another 4-9 repetitions.Well, time to depart. I hope this info provides a sneak-peak into the development physically of an ice hockey player.
Many thanks,
Josh Ward
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