Mickey Sparks 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2012 Most guys I play rec with tell me that they have more energy in the 1st and 2nd periods and then it fades in the 3rd.My energy is the exact opposite. I feel sluggish in the 1st period. I'm struggling in the 2nd then the 3rd I am skating circles around guys without any problem. Once I get going I can keep the momentum a long time but sometimes it's just too late in the game. I recently started doing a "dynamic" warmup before going on the ice and it has definitely helped some. I'd really like to have more energy earlier in the game. I am 30 years old, eat healthy, hydrate properly and on the ice about 2 hours/week. I'm 5-10 160 and no health issues.Does anyone else experience this? Could it be that I'm not conditioned enough? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Speedz98 15 Report post Posted February 17, 2012 I have the same problem in the first period. Try warming up a little more before you leave home. Some dynamic stretching, maybe 20 jump squats to get the legs ready to go for more intense skating.I've found that helps a lot, having my legs ready to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrangler 157 Report post Posted February 17, 2012 If the guys are changing shifts quickly, so I can go all out, I can be tired by the end. If not, I usually feel stronger, due at least in part to my old joints and muscles being fully warmed up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doctor Hook 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2012 I have decent but not great cardio. I typically play a "stay at home" style defense (sometimes it'd be best if I just...stayed at home) in my beer league, and for the most part I have consistent energy throughout the game. It helps when we have 4 D-men show up, though.During the week I try to maybe run or bike at least 2x to a decent sweat, and I feel this has a positive effect on my cardio.Also, if possible, I try to just relax and take a nap before gametime, maybe after eating some pasta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted February 17, 2012 My condition is pretty much shot after everything I've been though the last couple years. I've been fading hard in the third period lately. The last couple weeks I've been back on the bike trying to get something back, I'm tired of not having the legs to jump when I see a play I used to be able to make. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickey Sparks 0 Report post Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks for all the feedback. It's very interesting. I don't think in my case it's a cardio issue. It just seems like my muscles don't want to produce early and then kick into overdrive later in the game. This usually happens at the point when my heart rate is at peak and I'm sweating heavy. Even my team mates comment that I look like like a totally different player. I am going to experiment with some different warmups. Possibly add some jump squats as Speedz mentioned above.Edit: Maybe on second thought it could be cardio. I just don't know... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllCanadian 2 Report post Posted February 18, 2012 This doesn't really help everyone as they have work commitments, family ect. But I try to do some sort of activity in the morning on game days. We have a training facility downstairs at school so I'll try to sneak in a 15-20 casual bike ride if I can't get to stick and puck at the rink. Breaking a sweat earlier in the day will help you be able to warm up again later that night quicker. I don't know if there is any science behind but I can certainly feel the difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted February 18, 2012 This topic made me go back and look at my point production over the course of the season. Obviously it's skewed a bit by the fact that we'll often go into shut-down mode in the third when we have a significant lead. The vast majority of my points were scored in the second period, including almost all of my goals. The rest of the points were spread pretty well between the first and second. Not sure if that really says much, but it was interesting to find none the less. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mug25 2 Report post Posted February 18, 2012 Feel the same too. Sluggish in the first, decent in the second and strong in the third. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JonoDigz 4 Report post Posted February 19, 2012 Most guys I play rec with tell me that they have more energy in the 1st and 2nd periods and then it fades in the 3rd.My energy is the exact opposite. I feel sluggish in the 1st period. I'm struggling in the 2nd then the 3rd I am skating circles around guys without any problem. Once I get going I can keep the momentum a long time but sometimes it's just too late in the game. I recently started doing a "dynamic" warmup before going on the ice and it has definitely helped some. I'd really like to have more energy earlier in the game. I am 30 years old, eat healthy, hydrate properly and on the ice about 2 hours/week. I'm 5-10 160 and no health issues.Does anyone else experience this? Could it be that I'm not conditioned enough?Condition could be a factor but if you are sluggish at the start and feel better as the game goes on then you need to warm upprior to getting on the ice. Typical mens league involves getting dressed followed by a two to four minute warm up. Try getting dressedand doing body weight squats and walking lunges. Try 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps or as many sets until you break a sweat. Assoon as you get on the ice do a quick stretch and then get in some skating and puck work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
