More Sled Training For Hockey
I happen to love using certain kinds of training devices, and I especially love the benefits I’ve seen gained from using sleds, chairs and bungees as forms of resistance against the skating motion. So, when I ran across another idea for sled training, I knew I had to share it with my members.
To be honest, I’d highly recommend that team coaches and individuals try to commit themselves to at least a little sled training over their off-season.
To begin, although the following videos aren’t earth shattering, they do offer some great ideas for improving a hockey player’s overall and even specialized strength…
A little later I’ll remind members of what my on-ice version of “sled training” looks like — actually, it includes old tires assembled as “tow-trainers”.
For now, though, please watch the above GIF to see this different kind of sled being used off the ice. Personally, I like the contraption, I can live with the fact that the running and skating motions are at least somewhat different, but I’m not thrilled with the fact that the sled is really over-loaded for the guy doing the towing. (I know the video was just for demo purposes, but I want to make sure my hockey followers don’t over-load a sled anything like what’s seen above.)
Among the very good things happening during sled pulling is the runner’s or skater’s being forced to lean quite a bit. And, I think it’s also obvious that the runner shown above is having to really drive backwards with his legs — in equal and opposite reaction to his forward to backward shoulder rotation and arm pumps. (Remember, that the forward to backward movements are only true in running, and for a split second or so in a hockey take-off.)
This next GIF (just above) is from an old promotional video I made for my hockey schools. The first few seconds are showing a youngster using a tow-trainer on a roller rink floor, and the remainder of the clip shows the same little guy (my grandson) pulling a so-called “speed chute” on a concrete floor. (I do like that his skates are turned outward and they’re driving outward.)
Both video clips were taken at a time when we were actually working on puckhandling. If we were aiming to help the youngster’s skating, however, I’d have gotten rid of the stick and puck, and have him solely concentrate on driving straight ahead — arms and legs pumping accordingly.
Going back to the larger off-ice sled (below), I want to show members a number of different movements that can be challenged with added resistance…
Can pulling the sled while backing up enhance backward skating? Ya, I think so.
With a lighter load, could a player benefit by executing cross-overs — while heading in one direction, then in the other? Yup, there’s no doubt about it.
Next, though, please go back and watch the segment where the old demonstrator turns sideways to the sled, and then mostly uses his arms and torso to pull the sled closer to him. Once you’d done that, tell me if you think that resisted movement is going to strengthen a player’s shooting movement. My feeling? You bet.
Are there more possibilities for enhancing a hockey player’s game by using a weighted sled to add resistance against various movements? Yes, I think so, and I’d like to hear your ideas down below.
Oh, one last thought… As much as I like the “towing” part of working with a sled, there’s something to be said for pushing — or really driving — against the type shown in all the included clips.
