Hockey Players: Need some speed advice

[Jayems]

Hi folks,

Quick background before my question.

I have played goalie all my life up to Junior, when I stopped playing competitive hockey. I have played as a player in 1 or 2 games during that time, or just on the pond or outdoor rink with the buddies.

I have just joined a league and am 2 games in.

I have some new equiptment and some used (full gear).

Basically, when I have nothing on, I can fly down the ice, but put the equiptment on me, im slower than chris simon going for a rebound.

Are there any techniques to reduce the interaction with the equitpment? Like, tight sock tape on shin pad at the top, none on the bottom..

Shinpads inside the skate tounge etc....

I have been skating all my life, so its not lack of experience, its all in the way my stuff fits.

Thanks,

James.

[brownie]

You arent still using your Goalie skates are you??

[fredr123]

Speed advice? I'm sure you can get some from that guy downtown. Or ask a truck driver

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Shinpads inside the skate tounge etc....

Hmm. I would say out. That seems kind of awkward to have them jammed in there. As a random sample I googled photos of 3 former Flames. Shean Donovan and Rico Fata are outies, but the great Paul Ranheim has them tucked right in.

They may not have been the greatest Flames of all time, but them fellas sure know how to skate.

As for sock tape, go with velcro to hold the shin-pads on. Big fat velcro straps are much more comfortable than tape.

[Bill Bumface]

How bout some advice for someone who is slow with equipment or without?

[Mr.Coffee]

I've always found that bending the knees and moving the arms properly has increased speed.

And as always, practice. A lot.

[MattyK]

I don't think stuffing your skate tongue inside your socks will cut down on air resistance that much to make a difference. Neither will how you secure your shin pads, whether you do up your chinstrap, or wear a white or dark jersey.

My main question...how strong are your legs and hips? Equipment can weight you down a bit. If you're fast without it but slow down once it's all on, it could be something to look at.

I'd suggest going through a leg strengthening routine. Build up the power in your thighs. Other than that...

[Sylvanfan]

Maybe you need to shed those goalie pants with all that extra protection.

If you can skate well without equipment, you should be fine with equipment. I used to like my shin pads over the tongue of my skate, but I was a defenceman who took a few pucks in the feet and did it for extra protection. Maybe you just need to get used to the equipment.

Go to an outdoor rink one night in full gear and skate around. Take slap shots too in the pickup game. Everyone else there will have a good story to tell the next day about the moron who showed up in full gear.

[Jayems]

Thanks for the imput guys...

So, basically, I should take off my goalie pads to increase speed?

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Thanks for the imput guys...

So, basically, I should take off my goalie pads to increase speed?

Wash your gear a ton.. make sure it's well broken in.

You're probably not all that strong of a skater (in player stuff), if you've been playing goalie your whole life.. your stride is likely a bit off, and probably going to be hard to change.

Don't wrap your stuff on too tight with straps or tape, it'll just hurt or make marks. I don't really agree with the velcro straps over tape - but that's just personal preference.

Make sure your knees are bending enough, you're pushing off right away with your toe (crazy goalies and your flat blades), keep your motion going the direction you want to skate (forward and back, not side to side (arms, shoulders etc)), make sure to fully extend your legs, if that's not enough, start running, getting stronger, if you don't know how to do that go to Father David Bauer or the Talisman Centre and sign up on the skating treadmill and learn to vomit while wearing skates

After which give up and get back in net... man I hate it when goalies start playing out... Always a shortage of good goalies.. Go back and play at Crowfoot Shinny some more, they probably need some goalies these days

[FlamesAllTheWay]

New equipment always makes things akward at first so once things get broken in a little more your skating should improve as the equipment wont be as restrictive. I always thought pulling your socks over your skates and taping them to your skates was a bad idea as it probably restricts your feet a bit so maybe stop that if you're doing it. When you're starting from a stop or real slow and need to pick up the pace just give 'er on your toes as fast as you can before your stride smooths out as you start going faster.

If you really want to get technical though i'd go to a power skating hockey school. I learned a bunch of crazy specific stuff at one of those awhile back so i'll rehash it for you to the best of my memory and maybe it will help too:

- Get low to the ice, bend your legs so your thighs are around 45'-ish to the ice. Feet about shoulder width apart.
- Keep your torso as upright as possible. This because a) you can see what's going on with your head up, & b) if your chest is leaning forward towards the ice you'll be offbalance and your legs will kick up at the end of your stride which takes away alot of power and control.
- Push out from your body at around a 45' angle with your legs and follow through with your toe. Don't push out straight behind you.
- Once your leg is fully extended keep your foot as close to the ice as possible (don't kick your heels up) as you bring your leg back towards your body.
- Make sure you bring your foot back right under and plant it ahead of your body so when you push out again you get more power.
- Always have your arms swinging and pointing forward and not side to side cause it'll throw your stride off.

Anyways, best of luck with the transition. Go to the outdoor rink lots too that always helps!