The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Hockey has evolved from being strictly a seasonal sport into a year-round activity. Between summer leagues, camps and tournaments, opportunities to play hockey are never too far away. While it can be played all year, exploring other non-hockey activities in the off-season is an excellent way to give your child a break from the game. It is also an ideal time to build a foundation of fitness and improve hockey skills for the upcoming season. Here are a few helpful ideas on how parents can structure their child's off-season training program to maximize their time away from the ice: * Encourage your kids to play other sports. Playing baseball or kicking a ball around with friends will give your kids a needed break from hockey while maintaining their physical fitness. * Be creative. Varying a workout routine is important to maintaining interest. * Play games that emphasize different skill areas. (e.g. hang targets from a hockey net and have a contest to see who can hit the most targets to develop shooting accuracy.) * Focus on developing lower body strength in workouts. Exercises such as squats and running will help young players build skating endurance and speed. * Players should eat a balanced diet - for an adequate supply of energy, players need to eat carbohydrates, which can include Shreddies Cereal, to sustain their energy levels. * Build in time for adequate rest and recovery. A tired body or mind can quickly lead to poor practice techniques and the development of bad habits or injuries. * Make it fun! The summer is a great time for your hockey player to re-energize and enjoy non-hockey related activities with family and friends. By following these simple guidelines, young players will return to the ice refreshed and ready for another enjoyable hockey season.
