Skating Speed

[streak 0]

Hi all,

I know one thing I can do to improve my speed is work my legs by doing squats etc.

From a skate point of view, will a lower cut but boot affect my speed? I am thinking that more ankle flexibillty might help with my stride. Does that make sense or does the cut of the boot matter at all with regards to speed?

Thanks.

[chk hrd 164]

Hi all,

I know one thing I can do to improve my speed is work my legs by doing squats etc.

From a skate point of view, will a lower cut but boot affect my speed? I am thinking that more ankle flexibillty might help with my stride. Does that make sense or does the cut of the boot matter at all with regards to speed?

Thanks.

Have you ever had a qualified person look at your stride. Good form will get you more speed

[chikinpotpie 137]

Do you want more explosive speed or a faster overall skating speed?

[streak 0]

Nope, I haven't had anyone look at my stride. Interesting, because I know people who used to coach hockey.

I think mostly overall. I am fairly quick in tight spots, but, say getting back on D or on the rush, I am usually one of the last guys back.

[zales17 0]

hard to say without looking at your skating, but here are some troubleshooting ideas you can try:

-Deep knee bend when skating allows for a longer stride. Dont bounce up when you finish your stride, stay crouched/keep quads engaged.

-stride out and back, not just back (or just out). The diagonal allows for more edge use.

-snap your toe at the end of each stride by engaging/firing your calf muscles (again, more edge is used)

- at your fullest extension during each stride, your spine and extended leg should make a straight diagonal line (kind of like this: / but more horizontal)

-head up, arms pumping like a sprinter to gain forward momentum

-utilize your non-striding leg's inside edge as a harness of the momentum created by the striding leg

Hope those help!

[greech 4]

Definitely have a skating coach look at your stride. Best thing I ever did was take 1 yr. of figure skating lessons, fine-tuned my stride with all the figure skaters B)

[streak 0]

Thanks for all the advice. I will put it to use as best I can.

[biff44 0]

Sounds like you need to work on quickness. You need to be able to change direction quickly. That involves both having expolosive energy (improved by plyometrics or olympic weight lifting), and involves being able to redirect your momentum without losing it (speifically things like practicing pivots).

Squats are great, but they develop strength, not quickness. You need to do the squats to build up the basic muscles, but then you need to do the plyo/olympic lifting to develop the other type of muscles used in quick moves.

[Bender 0]

From a skate point of view, will a lower cut but boot affect my speed? I am thinking that more ankle flexibillty might help with my stride. Does that make sense or does the cut of the boot matter at all with regards to speed?

I don't think the boot cut will directly effect your skating speed, as it will more likely depend on your style of skating. You can always try not lacing your skates to the top and see how it feels, better than going out and buying a new pair of lower cut skates that you dont like.

[raygunpk 0]

hard to say without looking at your skating, but here are some troubleshooting ideas you can try:

-Deep knee bend when skating allows for a longer stride. Dont bounce up when you finish your stride, stay crouched/keep quads engaged.

-stride out and back, not just back (or just out). The diagonal allows for more edge use.

-snap your toe at the end of each stride by engaging/firing your calf muscles (again, more edge is used)

- at your fullest extension during each stride, your spine and extended leg should make a straight diagonal line (kind of like this: / but more horizontal)

-head up, arms pumping like a sprinter to gain forward momentum

-utilize your non-striding leg's inside edge as a harness of the momentum created by the striding leg

Hope those help!

What do you mean by these?

[sabby47 2]

hard to say without looking at your skating, but here are some troubleshooting ideas you can try:

-Deep knee bend when skating allows for a longer stride. Dont bounce up when you finish your stride, stay crouched/keep quads engaged.

-stride out and back, not just back (or just out). The diagonal allows for more edge use.

-snap your toe at the end of each stride by engaging/firing your calf muscles (again, more edge is used)

- at your fullest extension during each stride, your spine and extended leg should make a straight diagonal line (kind of like this: / but more horizontal)

-head up, arms pumping like a sprinter to gain forward momentum

-utilize your non-striding leg's inside edge as a harness of the momentum created by the striding leg

Hope those help!

What do you mean by these?

Pretty sure the with the first one he means when you push (stride), you don't want to push straight behind you or right out to the side but at an angle inbetween that. Not sure about the second one.

Just wanted to add something in here... With full extention/stride make sure knee is pointing towards the boards and not down at the ice.

[BantamHockey13 0]

Check out these 2 videos:

Laura Stamm

Robbie Glantz

2 great videos that will break down and explain every part of the skating stride. Worth every penny.

[zales17 0]

sabby is right on the first point and with the knee pointing. thanks, I forgot about that one

I almost didnt post the other point as it is difficult to explain verbally without being able to also demonstrate. As you stride with one leg, the other leg (gliding leg) needs to guide the momentum that was just created by the stride leg. It is almost a rocking motion from middle to the toe of the blade with a very slight C-cut type shape happening on the glide foot as well. It is a hard tech. to explain, but becomes clear when shown. Just try to counter/guide your striding legs momentum with your gliding leg....sorry if this was redundant and not helpful, but the other points should still help with your straightaway speed.

-another note: practice technique whenever you can. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in a play on the ice and go back to old habits. try to train yourself to break these habits even if it is in the middle of a shift. you might say "oh, I am not bending my knees right now" or "I am not taking full, long strides". If you become aware of your technique on the ice, it can be addressed immediately. That being said, dont get stuck in your head during the game, you still have a role to play for the rest of the team. All in all it is back to the old saying PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

[sabby47 2]

This is a little off the general topic but I was just wondering how many of you actually use V-starts (up on toes) in a game?

[greech 4]

All the time, well I guess more depending on my positioning but you know what I mean.

[ktang 34]

This is a little off the general topic but I was just wondering how many of you actually use V-starts (up on toes) in a game?

I used to because that was what was taught way back when (e.g. Jeremy Roenick, stiletto-heels start with 3 short, choppy steps), but now I do the starts that Kariya does (more on the flats, longer strides).