4 Mistakes Summer Hockey Training Programs Make

Off-ice off-season training programs for hockey are much easier to find than ever before. However, becoming more mainstream does not mean that these programs are any more effective for developing young hockey players. Most summer hockey training programs fall victim to the same four problems and players, parents and coaches should do everything they can to avoid programs that have any of these fundamental flaws.

1) NOT Youth-Specific

You can open up virtually any fitness magazine and find a strength training program. You could take this program down to your local gym and start training right now. But you should NEVER give one of these programs to a young athlete. Odds are that the program you found in the fitness magazine was designed for adults looking to gain muscle or lose fat, not for a young athlete looking to increase their performance. Young athletes have unique developmental needs and they need a specific program that addresses those needs.

2) NOT Hockey-Specific

Young hockey players looking to take their game to the next level over the summer need to be using a program that addresses their hockey-specific needs. This does NOT mean that they should just do exercises that replicate what they do on the ice or spend the entire summer on the ice. Players need to build strength and stability in the muscles and joints that support and power hockey-specific movements off the ice this summer if they hope to see an increase in their on-ice performance in the fall.

3) NOT Long-Term

‘Quick fix’ programs are as commonplace in the hockey world as they are in the fitness industry.
Everywhere you turn there seems to be another ad guaranteeing, “Amazing Abs in only 3 minutes a day!” or promising that you’ll, “Lose 10 pounds in just 1 Week!”.
Many hockey training programs will promise players a “Harder Slap-Shot in Only 6 Sessions!” and guarantee “Phenomenal Fitness in just 4 Weeks!”. Just like the weight-loss and stomach flattening programs, these hockey programs may work in the short-term. But inevitably, after a month or so, you are left asking, “What’s next?”. The types of changes that can be made in just 4 short weeks of training will not be long-lasting, unless they are properly taught and reinforced on a more long-term basis.

4) NOT Easily-Accessible

There are plenty of good training facilities and programs out there for young hockey players. Unfortunately, in most cases, you either need to drive to another facility or buy a bunch of expensive equipment in order to get the most out of the training program.
All a young player really needs to get faster, stronger and fitter this summer is a little bit of space and their own body-weight. That’s it - no expensive gym memberships or fancy equipment and no more driving around to another training facility or rink.
Summer hockey training doesn’t need to be complicated in order to be effective. In fact, simpler is better.

Off-ice off-season training programs need to address the specific needs of young hockey players, be accessible to all players and be appropriate for their long-term athletic development in order to be effective.

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS is a Athletic Development Specialist and founder of Total Female Hockey. In addition to training and coaching girls at all levels of hockey, from novice to the National team, Kim has also played at the highest level of women’s hockey in the world for the last decade. Kim’s female player development website (http://www.totalfemalehockey.com) gives the coaches and parents of aspiring young players access to the most up-to-date programs, articles and advice on how to help their players take their game to the next level. To learn more about female-specific player development, get your Free Report: The #1 Mistake Female Players Make in the Off-Season at: http://www.totalfemalehockey.com