🏒 The Power of the Stride: Why It Matters and How to Build It
- Coach Fraser
- Nov 4
- 2 min read
In hockey, everything starts with the stride. It’s the foundation of speed, balance, and control—and it separates good skaters from the great ones 😜
Whether you're chasing down a puck, breaking out of the zone, or battling through a shift, your stride determines how efficiently you move and how much energy you conserve.
💥 Why Stride Matters
A strong stride means more speed with less effort
It improves balance, edge control, and recovery
It’s the difference between chasing the play and driving it
🏋️ Off-Ice Training That Builds the Stride
You don’t need skates to train your stride. You need intention, repetition, and the right movement patterns:
🔹 Hip Mobility & Range
Deep lunges, banded hip openers, 90/90 transitions
Helps skaters get lower and extend through each push
🔹 Glute Activation
Mini-band walks, single-leg bridges, lateral step-ups
Fires the muscles that drive stride power—not just quads
🔹 Single-Leg Strength
Bulgarian split squats, skater hops, lateral lunges
Builds stability and power through the full stride cycle
🔹 Core & Posture
Pallof presses, dead bugs, anti-rotation holds
Keeps the upper body quiet while the lower body drives
🔹 Plyometrics & Explosiveness
Broad jumps, lateral bounds, resisted sprints
Trains fast-twitch power and stride recovery speed
🧊 On-Ice Training That Reinforces the Stride
Once those mechanics are dialed in off the ice, it’s time to apply them in motion:
Stride Extension Drills: Focus on full leg push and toe flick
Crossover Patterns: Build lateral power and edge control
Resisted Skating: Use harnesses or parachutes to challenge stride strength
Video Feedback: Break down stride angles, posture, and recovery timing
🔁 Stride Is a Skill—Train It Like One
Off-ice work lets athletes isolate mechanics, build strength, and reinforce movement patterns without the distractions of gameplay.
On-ice work lets the athlete perfect and feel the improvement in speed and performance that comes with a stronger more powerful stride.
Ready to start Training....join our training team and lets get better together!
Stay Fresh
👊🏒
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