Power Skating Exercises & Drills

Power drills should be performed in addition to practicing basic skating techniques on the ice as well as developing an exercise routine off the ice. Balance, endurance and speed are all key to becoming a better skater. Drag and touch drills, interval training and adding resistance will all increase your overall power and endurance. Start each of the drills slowly, in order to learn the proper form. Gradually increase the speed and length of time spent performing the drill as your strength increases.

  1. Drag-Touch Drill

    • This is a slow, exaggerated stimulation of a forward stride. Perform this drill by bending the knees so they are 2 inches over your toes. Start with your heels in and toes out. Skate slow and centered over the inside edge of your skate. Thrust the pushing foot completely out to the side while the other foot is gliding perpendicular to the pushing foot. Drag the toes of your skate as it returns to the starting position. Touch your heels together and repeat. This slow motion drill will encourage proper form on the ice.

    Interval Training Drills

    • Intervals are a series of high intensity bursts. Start by skating as hard as you can for 30 seconds and then skate lightly for a minute and then repeat. Continue to increase the length of time you spend in both the high intensity and the resting time. Stopping and turning at each transition is another way to perform this drill.

    Add Resistance

    • Adding resistance will force you to work harder. This drill can help increase your speed, power and endurance overall. The added resistance could come from an exercise parachute, elastic bands or a teammate hanging on to you as you skate.