Train like a hockey player, no ice rink needed.
Warm Up:
- Stand on one leg, Hug your right knee for 15 seconds, then switch legs.
- Bring your feet together, keep your legs straight, and reach for your toes for 30 seconds
- 15 jumping jacks
Ankle Exercises: Having healthy ankles is extremely important when it comes to playing hockey because you constantly have to change directions. The next exercises will help keep your ankles more healthy.
Ankle Stretch (A-Z each side)
- Take a seat with your legs straight out
- Lift one foot in the air, now using your big toe, pretend to draw out the abc’s with your toe
- Once you get all the way to z or as far as you can switch feet.
Ski Jumps (10 reps)
- Stand straight and jump as far as you can side-to-side
Strength Exercises: Strength is important when it comes to bumping people, gaining speed, and hitting the puck harder while playing hockey. The next few exercises will help you gain strength.
Burpees (10 reps)
- Stand straight with your arms to your side
- Drop down into a pushup position
- Jump back up to your feet and repeat the previous steps
Bear Crawls (10 seconds x 2)
- Get down on your hands and feet
- Crawl forward without letting your knees, belly, or chest touch the ground
- The faster you crawl, the more power you will gain from the exercise
Broom Hockey: It can be very difficult to have the right equipment for hockey, let alone access to a hockey rink. Fortunately, you can still enjoy hockey with a few items that you might find around your house. The next activity will allow you to practice hockey at home.
- Find two cones/rocks/etc. to make goals that are about 4-6 feet wide
- Grab a broom and a small ball
- Use the broom as a hockey stick and practice your shooting, dribbling, and passing.
Cool Down:
Find a seat on the floor or on a couch or chair. Make sure your back is nice and straight. Close your eyes with your hands on your lap. Take 10 deep breaths. Repeat if needed. You’re all done! Great job! Make sure you drink some water with a healthy snack