Ways To Give

Power Skating With Power

Written by Laurie Wang

Ice skating coach David Roy sees hockey players make big improvements in a short period of time. Every year he instructs 1,400 hockey skaters, including the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. He’s also taught the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, the Canadian National Team and the Canadian Women’s Olympic Team.

In an interview with Men Today Online, he offered some of his power skating tips.

On the ice

1. Arm swing
“In forward skating, most people generally swing their arms side to side but it’s better to swing your arms forward and back. Many hockey players know this but often don’t do it. Forward arm swinging is very important, it will increase your speed and you’ll soon see results. Try starting this technique by initially exaggerating the arms. Remember to keep your elbows in.”

2. Knee bend
“We all know bending the knee is essential, but oftentimes we don’t know how low we should go. The trick is to try to be in a position where the lower part of the upper leg is parallel or almost parallel to the ice. When you’re almost in a sitting down position your knees should be bent around 88 degrees. Keep your shoulders back and take longer strides.”

3. Wide stride
“It is important to push wide when you skate. Many people tend to push behind in their stride, but this means you are pushing more of your toe against the ice, which isn’t as efficient as pushing the whole blade. A good way to remember to have a wide stride is to make sure the full blade is on the ice when you are driving your leg out. This takes less energy and in return gives you more energy to go faster.”

Off the ice

“You can also improve your skating when you’re not at the rink or the pond. Skating fast takes leg quickness, strength, balance and flexibility and furthermore, it takes a good attitude. An arrogant or bad attitude can be a hockey player’s greatest hurdle. If a player is good at skating, but not open to getting better, he or she won’t get better.

“For example, Junior Lessard from the Dallas Stars was told he needed to improve his skating and went to me for training. Lessard was willing to go to Kelowna, British Columbia, earlier to than the other players learn. He had an attitude of humility. He knew he had things to work on and he was willing to work hard and practice hard to improve.”

“Keith Primeau is another example of a player with a good attitude,” David said. “He wanted to work on tight turns, so he’d get up extra early, ready to train. He acknowledged what he needed to work on and asked for help. That’s part of being teachable—that’s the right attitude to have.”

Visit Edge of Excellence and Pursuit of Excellence for more information on David Roy’s hockey camps.

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