Stretching Tips

Posted in Hockey Tips |

Fitness is an important aspect with any sport and an integral part of fitness is stretching. Ice hockey is a demanding sport which requires a lot of fitness and flexibility. While stretching will be essential to any player of this sport it is important that the correct type of stretching be utilized to achieve maximum benefits.

Stretching before a game is good but it is not the only time you should do it. Doing stretches after a game and after practice will help your long term flexibility. Static stretches are good and the standard way to begin the art of stretching, but with a sport like Ice hockey you need to involve stretches that mimic the sport somewhat.

Start off with what is known as the Inchworm stretch. Lie down on the floor in a position similar to starting of a set of pushups. Without bending your knees, walk up as much as you can and hold. At this point, you should resemble a triangle of sorts with your palms and soles on the ground and your butt up in the air. From this position, start “walking” forward with your hands until you are flat on the floor again. In the first few days, start off with a goal of about 30 feet and gradually increase the distance thereafter.

Another drill you can try is called the Turkish Get Up. Lie flat on your back and hold your hockey stick in one arm. Hold the arm up straight over your head and without bending at the elbow, stand up. Do the same thing in reverse and lie back down. Do 10 repetitions of this drill for each arm.