Dry Land Speed Training for Hockey

Hockey players don't always have the luxury of training on the rink, particularly during the summer months when many arenas remove ice for the season. Dry land training enables hockey players to work on several different skills, including footwork, stick handling and speed.

  1. Types

    • Hockey players have a variety of dry land exercises to choose from. Jogging or running will help a player develop more speed, especially if sprints are mixed into the routine. Another popular workout involves the use of a speed ladder, which is laid on the ground as players practice stepping quickly between the "rungs". This can be done with or without skates.

    Benefits

    • The more off-ice speed work a player can do in the off-season, the greater the chance he will increase both his lateral and forward quickness by the time hockey season begins. Speed drills also allow players to maintain their stamina and endurance during the summer months.

    Warning

    • After a long hockey season, players need to find time for rest. Working on off-season speed exercises will prove beneficial in the long run, but players need to be sure they don't overdo it. A serious injury during the summer can affect a player's ability to be healthy and ready to start the season.