More Insight into Russian Hockey Training

My extensive involvement in social media continues to reap benefits for our CoachChic.com members, this time in reference to gaining more information on Russian hockey training.

— Dennis Chighisola

The source of this Russian hockey training information comes by way of a long ago LinkedIn friend, Elena Segal, who happens to be a Ballet Trainer for athletes in the Anaheim, California area.

I’d actually met Elena quite some time ago, but I was reminded of her unique background and current work when she entered a hockey forum where a batch of us hockey coaches were discussing the possibilities of instilling offensive creativity in young players. With that, here are some snippets from Elena’s contribution to that discussion…”

“I’m sure he (a former Russian player) did ballet training. Its normal in good schools. His knee bend is much deeper because of doing plie. Plie stretch and strengthen all the muscles, ligaments , tendons (especially Achilles) of the entire leg , iliopsoas, pelvic floor as well as establish center within the body.

His stick handling and shooting skills are superior because of Port de bras. Port de bras develop correct alignment of the rib cage and shoulder girdle as well as stretch in pectorals , trapezium, deltoids , biceps.

Parents of my students always surprised of how the setting of alignment can change the quality of movements. If alignment is correct, muscles work together. Good teacher can change quality of it at any age of player.

I recently got 16 yo JR Ducks player who dreams about NHL. Nobody of coaches told him that one of his shoulder higher then other. I fixed it, work with him just for one month and I received gift from parents with big thank you… they told that they see great change in his skating… he skates wide, smooth, balanced with great speed. And I did not work much, I just put every bone and muscle in alignment. Fundamental proper training is the key to success. Intrinsic Muscles Training must be a requirement in hockey training.”

Okay, who would have ever believed that there exists an online “Glossary of ballet“? No matter, there you have it, compliments of Wikipedia, just in case you need it to better understand Elena’s explanation.

As a quick recap, though, Elena was sure a former Russian hockey player one coach had mentioned had benefited from her area of expertise — first because she knew most Russian players did it, and secondly because that kind of training was evident in the way that player carried himself on the ice. Notice, too, that she wasn’t just describing his skating posture, but also how he moved with his stick. Adding further ammo to the benefits of this kind of Russian hockey training, Elena notes how “the setting of alignment can change the quality of movements.” And, as I think most members would reason, she adds, “If alignment is correct, muscles work together.” I even had to smile a bit as she described her work with one California teen, “I just put every bone and muscle in alignment.” Now, I’m going to add more about Elena’s training down at the end of this entry, and I’m also going to provide a link to her site and some contact info. That done, though, I want to move on to more of a philosophical look at Russian hockey training, and maybe a quick look back towards old Soviet thinking. I mean, what we should really be considering here is a “mentality” that’s far different that many other hockey playing nations. Oh, for sure, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey would like to believe that they have a philosophy in place for the development of players. But, do they — really? Personally, I just don’t think so. I’ll suggest that most players who excel at the higher levels had to go elsewhere — outside their federation offerings — in order to break away from the pack and develop beyond most others. As fodder for what I’m suggesting here, consider that Elena said that most Russian hockey players get training similar to what she offers. That in mind, when was the last time you heard either of the two North American hockey federations recommend any such thing? Taking this — or our look at Russian hockey training — a step further, I’ll suggest that they view the development of a given sport athlete in a real holistic way.

Going backwards a bit here, I feel it necessary to suggest some history… For, while you might not have liked living there, I can tell you that the old Soviet Union had sports development programs beyond just about every other on the planet. Talk about taking an holistic approach, and taking advantage of just about every branch of science.

Then, down came “the wall”. And, with that, most sport programs were thrown into some disarray. Mainly, I’d say that it was a problem of funding, as sports like Russian hockey went from being government sponsored to having no backing at all.

A lot of time has passed, though, and I think the Russians are fortunate that they have memories and maybe some of the know-how from when things were done right. So, back they are, I believe, approaching the game in that holistic way again.

Then, for an interesting look at how the Russians have managed to bounce back, take a look at this (wow)…

If you can appreciate it, then, Elena’s area of expertise was just one area where Russian athletes — and hockey players — benefited. Long before most other hockey players had ever touched a weight, the old Soviets were pumping iron to become stronger. And, long before USA Hockey decided to tell their members they should be better athletes, Soviet coaches were incorporating the likes of soccer and gymnastics in their training sessions. And, of course, while North Americans thought they were performing “dryland training” when they shot pucks in the driveway or played ballhockey in the streets, the Soviets were taking the concept of off-ice training to a whole new, scientific level. And, that is the main take-away today — as I remind my member friends about some things that few outside a certain circle either know or appreciate. Athletic-type players tend to be stronger, more agile and more energy-efficient, and the better handling of their bodies consequently tends to help them dodge compromising situations on the ice. And, it’s said, that better athletes also bounce back from injuries quicker than not so athletic players.

Interestingly, here’s how Elena finished her promo in the piece below… “Its not a secret that great athletes like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lynn Swann, Herscel Walker, Eddie George, Willie Gault and others have been known to do ballet which make them special and famous. Also Michael Jordan did not have any major injuries through out his career.”

Finally, since while Elena and I met over this article a number of years ago, she mentioned a number of athletes who have since retired. Still, most of these names should be familiar to most readers. And, she pointed out, it’s not a secret that great athletes like Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lynn Swann, Herscel Walker, Eddie George, Willie Gault and others have been known to do ballet which make them special and famous. Also Michael Jordan did not have any major injuries through out his career.

Want to connect with Elena? Email her at: segalelena@yahoo.com