Skating right isn’t easy. Correcting bad form and technique is incredibly difficult, in large part because the consistency necessary to do so is something too many athletes are unwilling (or simply overscheduled and so unable) to do. Below is a list of some of the two common skating problems we see and general recommendations for what a training program should look like to fix them.

1. Lack of edge control, particularly with the outside edge: The toughest edge to hold the most pressure on is the outside edge. If a skater is having trouble, the first place we should look is at the ankle. Does the athlete have the ankle mobility and strength necessary? If not, we need to start there. In many cases, athletes simply have too wide of skates or are not lacing them up tight enough. 

Assuming ankle strength is not the issue, the next problem to investigate is motor control. Does the athlete understand how to hit an outside edge? It never ceases to amaze me how many players do not understand what an outside edge is, let alone how to properly hit it. 

Teaching these fundamental beginning skills often requires personal attention. Once an athlete knows them and understands them, it becomes about repetition and increasingly placing greater pressure at higher speeds on the outside edge. 

Too often, edge work becomes mundane. It’s the same thing over and over again. To some extent, it has to be, but we can vary the pattern, the pressure and the radius of the turn, allowing players to be challenged and engaged. 

2. Lack of knee bend and power: This is the most common issue and the solution is the least attempted. The story goes something like this: Johnny doesn’t get low enough when he skates. Well, Johnny also skates 4-5 times per week all winter season through about March 1. Then he joins his “AAA” organization or skating instructor on March 2. He plays in more games where his tired legs perform repetition after repetition of upright skating until it becomes habit. The parents get frustrated. “Johnny, why don’t you get lower!?” they exclaim on the ride home from games and practices. 

The problem IS a lack of athleticism! And it is accentuated by the constant non-stop hockey. You have to get off your skates. You need to take time off to heal or you’ll just return to your baseline (past performance) and never improve. 

To solve the knee bend issue, players need to commit to an off-ice training program for a minimum of six weeks. Often times, it can take longer. They need to stay off the ice and re-train their muscles in the gym to get low. A lot of hockey players, surprisingly, will have weak hip abductors – the muscles used to stride away from the body. When they skate, the non-striding leg will not be aligned properly as the weak hip “escapes” toward the players’ center of mass, lessening the load on the front leg but also weakening its ability to push after the opposite leg recovers. This often leads to railroad skating. 

After we build the foundational athleticism, athletes need private and small group skating instruction where they can apply what they’ve learned and make sure every repetition is a quality one. It doesn’t take a ton of time, and dedicated athletes can take what they learn from an instructor and do on their own. 

Take the time to train this offseason. Forget the distractions and focus on what matters. 
 

Josh Levine is the Assistant Coach of the Bloomington Jefferson Girls Varsity Hockey team and owner of The Fortis Academy. Fortis works with youth associations to implement skill development programs with all teams, from Mites to Bantams. The program includes parent education seminars, coaching clinics and Fortis skill-based practices. If you’re interested in learning more, shoot Josh an email at joshletsplayhockey@gmail.com. Follow Fortis on Facebook and Instagram.