If you are enrolled in this program already, please
email Coach Chic; he has an additional gift for you!
email Coach Chic; he has an additional gift for you!
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There may often be a short answer to the questions hockey parents have. But then, that may not necessarily do justice to a given topic. That said, let me share a little background advice on "off-ice" and "off-season" training that should put my favorite hockey people far ahead of most others.
Hockey players have probably been doing "dryland training" for as long as our sport has existed. After all, very early on, players had to discover that it paid for them to do things at home -- like shooting, dribbling a ball, and even doing some extra physical work to get themselves in "game shape".
Back in the 1950's, Canadian Lloyd Percival began looking at things a little differently than other trainers and coaches, and he ultimately devised some very unique on- and off-ice methods of training. Actually, most traditionalists didn't take kindly to his new approach, and most players who wanted a future in the game were advised to steer clear. Interestingly, I've read that the great Gordie Howe had to sneak private sessions with Percival. Pretty interesting, huh -- that the greatest player of his era, and one of the greatest of all-time, was doing a more scientifically based version of off-ice training way back then?
Hockey players have probably been doing "dryland training" for as long as our sport has existed. After all, very early on, players had to discover that it paid for them to do things at home -- like shooting, dribbling a ball, and even doing some extra physical work to get themselves in "game shape".
Back in the 1950's, Canadian Lloyd Percival began looking at things a little differently than other trainers and coaches, and he ultimately devised some very unique on- and off-ice methods of training. Actually, most traditionalists didn't take kindly to his new approach, and most players who wanted a future in the game were advised to steer clear. Interestingly, I've read that the great Gordie Howe had to sneak private sessions with Percival. Pretty interesting, huh -- that the greatest player of his era, and one of the greatest of all-time, was doing a more scientifically based version of off-ice training way back then?
Formal supplemental practices didn't really gain acceptance until the now famous 1972 Showdown at the Summit. For, although the NHL All-stars ultimately edged-out a series win, it wasn't until after the USSR's "Big Red Machine" had impressed the entire hockey world -- with their speed, endurance, agility and skills.
I actually sat in on numerous Canadian Hockey Association seminars in the period right after, and I can tell you that many of their higher-ups were almost apologizing about the NHL's showing. (They expected a rout, and it was anything but.)
How had the old Soviet's done it -- and especially when it was known that they had fewer indoor rinks than could be found in a given Canadian province? As the great Fred Shero said, after returning from watching the Russians train, "They don't need ice!" (As many of you know, Shero's writings inspired me to join a Moscow bound study group in the summer of 1979.)
What Shero and I and handfuls of other North American coaches ultimately discovered was that the Soviets had taken off-ice training to a new level, and a very scientific one at that. I could go on about the ways they could exploit Communism but, let me just say that their hockey federation was able to call upon top USSR scientists and other specialists to delve deeper into hockey preparations than had ever been done before. (I said that I'd been studying in Canada for a number of years, and I hinted at the differences in seminars, pre- and post-'79. Well, the biggest difference was the later inclusion of physiologists and other related specialists on the dais agenda. Yes, the Soviets had influenced the Canadians quite a bit.)
With all that, I'd like to show you a video I produced a number of years ago...
My hope is that you've gained a new perspective on away-from-the-ice training, and even sense, as I do, that we can often accomplish far more off the ice than on. I hope you'll also notice how far scientific knowledge has come since the 1970's (because the folks I have the hardest time convincing of these new possibilities are those who were raised on rather primitive methods).
Now, as I aim to help those who will be attending the Mite and Squirt Summer Hockey School, here's a bit a science that should influence the way my students dress...
From that, I hope you see the need to dress a player in as light a gear as possible, and to not encumber a joint, if you want to give him or her a chance to develop speed and smooth movements.
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What Students Should Bring
Along the same line of thinking, inexpensive roller hockey elbow and knee pads are my recommendation for this hockey program.
I'd also suggest wearing light clothes whenever the weather permits.
Part of the training will be done without skates, so that sneakers (with good traction) will be needed.
Players DO need their regulation hockey helmets and masks.
Players should bring their on-ice hockey gloves.
It's important that players bring their "ice hockey sticks", or regulation hockey sticks. Like everything else, the lighter the better. (Two sticks would be a good idea.)
All students should bring their own drinks (or drinks may be purchased at the Lakeville AC front desk).
We will ultimately be jumping rope in the school. However, I'll wait and advise parents later about getting their own jump rope.
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Special Recommendations Concerning Skates
Students need in-line or roller hockey skates for each session. The closer these are to on-ice boots the better. If brakes are present, please remove them for the duration of the hockey school.
The more familiar students can become on their skates prior to camp, the farther they can be taken once the program begins.
Finally, there is a difference in in-line wheels, and it's difficult to know ahead of time which will work best on the Lakeville AC floor. Most wheels are of hard rubber made to grip and wear well on outdoor pavement. Sometimes those hard wheels won't grab well on the smoother indoor floor. For that reason, we will only test wheels at the end of the first session (and train in sneakers beforehand). I'll try to then advise parents according to what's discovered with each child's skates.
Still have questions? Email Me!
