Last Updated on Thursday, 14 April 2016 09:24
By Andy Ness
When we do our camps, regardless if it’s Mites or the pros, it always comes back to the fundamentals of skating. It is very clear to me that there is a distinct difference between doing something and doing something well.
Recently, I have had some parents of students tell me that their son or daughter has mastered their edges and really don’t need any work at all. It makes you think, have you ever heard a professional golfer say they have mastered their drive? Or for someone to go into a gym and say they have mastered the bench press.
As funny as this sounds, for some reason this can be the mentality in hockey. There seems to be a need to rush through the skating skills, especially what we would consider the “basic” skills. Just because a skater can do C-cuts does not mean that a skater has completely mastered edges. Edge strength goes beyond the two standard edge drills. It goes beyond doing basic edge drills at quarter speed. It is the cornerstone of how good a player is able to skate. Every power turn, crossover and stride is based on how strong a skaters edges are.
We know that outside edges can be the most challenging. Holding a strong outside edge is the key to any strong turn or crossover. As you can see in both photos (Kyle Okposo and Chris Porter), the skaters are able to hold one skate on a strong outside edge with speed. Remember, the width of an edge is about as wide as a strand of hair, so if a skater’s edge cannot support his/her weight and speed, the skater will be taking a lot of falls and hard spills.
A great drill to have your skaters do is to have them build their speed by skating top of the circle, bottom of the circle and head into the neutral zone circle diagonally. At full speed, the skater will trace the circle on an outside edge, holding only on one skate solidly into the ice. Most players will fall at some time, so doing it in the neutral zone gives them space so they don’t crash into the boards. This is a great way for a skater gain confidence on their outside edge. With repetition the skater can greatly improve on body positioning, a lean, blade positioning, knee bend and most importantly building a stronger outside edge.
One other difficult edge drill you can do is to have a skater start on the goal line and take about five hard strides, then try to execute a tight 360-degree turn on one leg. The skater should hold that outside edge on the ice completely throughout the turn and as the skater comes out of the turn, he/she will take another five strides, then attempt another outside edge hold on the other skate. This is a tighter turn than the first drill and is very difficult at first. Both of these drills should be done by attacking with speed. Going beyond the basic C-cuts is key and is really the way challenge skaters.
Most of us watch NHL and college games and see guys executing all of the skills that I write about weekly. What a lot of people don’t see is the breakdown and relentless work of these skills the skaters work at daily. Improvement never ends and when you are done improving, you are just that, done. There is a reason why skaters at the highest level are where they are. They are not only talented, but willing to pay the price to get better. It doesn’t matter if it is July 30 or November 30, the attitude of improving is the key to success.
Andy Ness is the head skating and skill coach for the Minnesota Wild. He has also been an assistant skating instructor for the New Jersey Devils, the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.
