Hockey Masters

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Tip of the Month -- AUGUST 2005 -- PowerSkating: Edge Work

Edge Work

Hockey is unique in the world of sports because it requires the specialized form of movement known as skating. Skating not only requires a completely different biomechanics from walking or running, but it also requires the athlete to possess edge control.

Each blade has 2 edges, an inside edge and an outside edge (named for their proximity to the inside and outside of the foot). Think of the blade like a double-edged knife. It is these sharpened edges that allow the player to cut into the ice to obtain speed, and to grip the ice when turning. Skates that are not sharpened regularly will cause the player to have his/her feet slip out from under them when turning, and will require extra effort to gain speed.

Most of the game is spent cutting and turning, a player rarely spends any time standing straight up on the blade. Therefore, players need to spend time practicing their ability to control their bodies and movements while balancing on their edges. Balancing on your edges is an essential part of the game that can only be mastered through multiple repetitions. Here are 3 drills to help players master their edges:

1) Beginning Edge Work
These drills can be done across the ice on the blue line or red ine. Players should travel on one foot away from the line ON A SEMI-CIRCULAR PATTERN In other words, the player should be gliding on a "C" shaped curve that will lead them back to the line where they should then change feet and create another "C" shape away from the line. This is repeated until the player reaches the othe side of the rink. The easiest are the forward inside edges, followed by the forward outside edges, followed by the backward inside edges, and lastly the backward outside edges.

Once the player masters this, they should do the same pattern the length of the ice. Pucks can be added when the player is ready.

2) Intermediate Edge Work
In order to have the player hold their edges for a longer period of time, the player should try to perform them around their stick. Have the players lay their sticks on the ice, then travel around one end of the stick on one foot, step over the middle of the stick and travel around the opposite end of the stick on the other foot. It should resemble a figure 8 pattern with the stick as a long axis. Watch that the player doesn't "drop" their ankle to achieve the pattern, the turning should be a result of knee bend and shoulder rotation. Again, these can be done on the forward inside, outside, and backward inside and outside edges.

(Note that the forward and backward OUTSIDE edges require that the player cross the foot over).

3) Advanced Edge Work
Players exhibiting the ability to perform the above 2 levels are ready to start to learn how to gain power from their edges. The best drill for this is called the "edge pull". The player begins on one foot and must attempt to travel the length of the ice by weaving back and forth from their inside edge to their outside edge, etc. The player must have a bent knee with which to jerk or pull themselves down the ice. The entire length of the ice the player must remain on one leg. Make sure to practice right and left, forward and backward. The player can advance to being able to do a full lap, or performing the drill dragging a puck under the other foot. THIS IS A GREAT DRILL AS IT INCORPORATES BALANCE, LEG STRENGTH, COORDINATION, SEQUENTIAL MOTOR RECRUITMENT, AND EDGE CONTROL! It's one of my personal favorites!

Enjoy!