Mastering the Forward Stride: Elevate Your Hockey Game with Power Skating

Unlock the full potential of your game by mastering the forward stride, a fundamental skill that can elevate your performance on the ice. In this blog, we'll break down the essential components listed below:

Power Skating
Perfecting Your Body Position
Optimizing Your Stride
Arm Swing
Incorporate Power Skating Into Your Training

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, these insights and tips will help you skate with more speed, agility, and confidence. Get ready to transform your skating technique and dominate the rink!

Players must master the forward stride to excel on the ice. Breaking down the forward stride into three key components - body position, stride, and arm swing - can help players understand and improve their technique.

Body Position

Maintaining the proper body position is crucial for an effective forward stride. Players should lean forward at a 50-52-degree angle, bend their knees at a 90-degree angle, and keep a low center of gravity. This position allows for stability and power generation during each stride.

Stride

When executing the forward stride, players should focus on pushing out wide to the side, finishing with a full extension, and driving through the toe of the skate. It's essential to recover the leg across the center line of the body to maintain balance and efficiency in movement.

Arm swing

The arm swing plays a significant role in the forward stride, contributing to momentum and balance. Players should move their arms straight forward and back, bending the elbow on the way back and throwing the arm ahead. Avoiding side-to-side motion in the arm swing helps players maintain a straight and efficient stride.

The Importance of Power Skating

Power skating has become an essential part of hockey training. It's designed to enhance a player's speed, agility, and overall skating technique. Whether it's edge power skating or hockey power skating, these training sessions focus on the technical aspects of skating that translate directly to game performance.

What is Power Skating?

Power skating drills are specific exercises aimed at improving a player’s efficiency, speed, and agility on the ice. These drills often include a combination of forward and backward skating, edge work, balance exercises, and agility maneuvers. Hockey power skating drills focus on:

1. Speed Drills: Enhancing quick bursts and straight-line speed.
2. Agility Drills: Improving lateral movement and quick direction changes.
3. Edge Work: Focusing on the use of inside and outside edges of the skate for better control.
4. Balance Drills: Enhancing stability on the ice.

Power Skating in Action: Top NHL Skaters

The best way to understand the impact of power skating is to look at some of the top skaters in the NHL. Players like Connor McDavid, Dylan Larkin, Owen Tippett, Jack Hughes, and Matthew Barzal exemplify the effectiveness of power skating in their performances.

Connor McDavid 

Connor McDavid is often regarded as one of the fastest and most skilled skaters in the NHL. His ability to accelerate quickly and maintain high speeds while maneuvering through opponents is a testament to his rigorous power skating training. McDavid's forward stride is powerful and efficient, allowing him to cover large distances in minimal time.

Dylan Larkin

Dylan Larkin’s speed is a significant asset to the Detroit Red Wings. Known for his explosive starts and quick transitions, Larkin’s edge work is particularly noteworthy. His ability to change direction swiftly without losing speed makes him a constant threat on the ice.

Owen Tippett

Owen Tippett’s skating style combines speed and agility, making him a dynamic forward. His power skating drills emphasize strong pushes and rapid recoveries, enabling him to maintain high speed during breakaways and quick movements in tight spaces.

Jack Hughes

Jack Hughes has shown remarkable improvement in his skating since entering the NHL. His focus on edge power skating has enhanced his balance and agility, allowing him to navigate through defenders with ease. Hughes’ forward stride is smooth and powerful, contributing to his ability to generate speed quickly.

Matthew Barzal

Matthew Barzal is another skater known for his exceptional agility and speed. Barzal’s skating is characterized by his effortless glide and quick edge transitions. His training in hockey power skating drills is evident in his fluid movements and ability to maintain control at high speeds.

Incorporating Power Skating into Training

For young players aspiring to reach the levels of McDavid, Larkin, Tippett, Hughes, and Barzal, incorporating power skating into regular training is crucial. Here are some tips to get started:

1. Enroll in Power Skating Classes: Look for power skating programs in your area, such as our Summer Camps offered in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, and Penticton. These classes provide structured training focused on improving skating technique.
2. Practice Consistently: Regular practice is essential for mastering power skating techniques. Dedicate time to work on specific drills that target speed, agility, and edge work.
3. Focus on Technique: Pay attention to the details of your stride, body position, and arm swing. Small adjustments can make a significant difference in your overall skating performance.
4. Watch and Learn: Study the skating techniques of top NHL players. Watching videos and analyzing their movements can provide valuable insights into effective skating techniques.

Conclusion

Mastering the forward stride and incorporating power skating into your training can significantly enhance your performance on the ice. By focusing on body position, stride, and arm swing, and learning from the best skaters in the NHL, players can develop the skills needed to excel in hockey. 

To see power skating in action, check out these videos of top NHL skaters competing in various speed and agility challenges: FULL Fastest Skater Competition | 2024 NHL All-Star Skills

Embrace the power of skating, and you'll be gliding past the competition in no time.