2 Steps To Master Hockey Off-season Training

The 2023-24 hockey season has come to a close. Now what?

Here are the 2 things you need to do that will ensure you have a great Summer and come prepared to dominate the upcoming season.

1. TAKE SOME TIME OFF

Too many people will jump right into private lessons and special skates once the season ends without skipping a beat. It’s just not reasonable. I loved the sport of hockey as a kid. I still love hockey (believe me, you have to really love hockey to coach youth hockey). I remember in high school when February rolled around I was so tired and worn out from hockey 24/7. By the time the season was over I didn’t want to be anywhere near the ice. Hell, I wouldn’t even put ice in my water. You should have your child do the same. This will allow them to not only physically recover, but mentally reset as well. Stay active, enjoy the Spring weather, and spend a few weeks away from the rink. I promise your child will not forget how to skate and stick handle.

2. Plan Your Summer Development

Failing to plan is planning to fail. It’s an age old saying but it’s true. Having a plan for your off-season development will help make sure you make the most of your time and money. Talk with your child and identify what they feel they need to work on most. It’s a great skill for young hockey players to be able to honestly reflect on their game and skill set. 

It’s a part of sports now that money buys development, and with the costs of ice, hockey off-season training is not cheap. Set a budget and then work around that budget. If you don’t have unlimited money, take advantage of cheap ice like sticks and pucks at your local rink. There are plenty of free educational lessons on YouTube and other platforms. Use those lessons and work on your own. I taught myself how to stick handle, saucer pass, and do many other things by watching YouTube videos and doing drills by myself at sticks and pucks because I couldn’t afford hockey lessons as a kid.

Also, plan your physical development. In youth hockey, the Summer provides the opportunity to have the longest stretch of uninterrupted training. I worked for a AAA program for a while and there would be months where teams would only train 3-4 times due to games and tournaments. The Summer allows you to get consistent work. Plan how many days per week you will spend training. If you want to have your best summer of training yet, you can get all of the guidance you need by selecting one of the training options I have available here