New York Ranger - Washington Capitals: Speed Kills Your Opponent or You in the Playoffs

Chris Kreider was clocked skating at 33.7 MPH during tonight 3-1 Ranger win!  Kreider scored the game winning goal and assist in tonight game.


IMPROVING SPEED:

Speed:

• The rate or a measure of the rate of motion, especially:
• Distance traveled divided by the time of travel.

Quickness: 

• Activity with is rapidity of motion

Agility:

• The ability to move and change direction and position of the body quickly and effectively while under control.

The 4 Rules of  Improving Speed:

The First Rule: 

 Speed is a skill that must be practiced without the puck and with the puck.

• Skating fast requires developing technical skill of skating
• Coaches need to work on skating and puck handling techniques
• Acceleration is the most important component in hockey 
• Change of speeds is and essential tactic

The Second Rule: 

 You must train hockey specific. 

• Hockey is game that played with 3-10 second burst of speed
• 60 second shifts

The Third Rule: 

Speed work must be organized into the practice. 

• You can’t get fast if you practice skating slow
• Every player must master slow to fast and change of pace
• Quality work/high intensity work as the workout  
• Speed development can be improved off ice.

The Forth Rule:

 Hockey constantly changes directions; so change of directions must be implemented into your training program. 

• Change of Direction
• Stops and Starts

SEVEN AREAS OF ATTACK FOR SPEED DEVELOPMENT:

1. Flexibility
2. Posture
3. Stick Position
4. Stride Rate
5. Stride Length
6. Agility Exercise
7. Reaction Time

Power Thoughts:

Speed is not your fastest, but your slowest man.  
 -JOCK SUTHERLAND


Nine times out of ten, the teams or athletes with the most speed are going to win.     -unknown
        
                                                                                   

Speed will kill you, or your opponent. -unknown