When my 12-year-old son set his sights on making the U13AA team this upcoming September, I knew he needed to enhance his skating abilities. His stickhandling skills and hockey IQ were better than average, but his skating needed a major boost. Recognizing the importance of specificity in training, I embarked on a mission to help him achieve his goal through a targeted approach. And the idea of the Skating Treadmill Experiment was born.
Setting the Goal and Identifying the Gap
The vision was crystal clear: my son had his eyes set on the U13AA team. However, he had one HUGE obstacle to face, his skating. Though his dangles and hockey intelligence had pushed him through earlier levels, the intensity of the AA tier programs required the necessity of skating. What I've observed while working with our U15 Director's Cup team in April was that the kids are undertaking upwards of 2-3 skates A DAY! And their level of exertion was evident! Kids appeared sluggish, and all "hockeyed out". Why are parents enrolling kids in generic skates that don't focus on anything specific? When training in the gym, you must workout with specificity in mind, and hockey is no exception. Understanding that excellence in this sport isn't just about the actions you perform, but how specifically and efficiently you train. This was not merely about working harder but smarter, with a strategic focus on precision and customized development.
WEEK 1
Not much of a description here, other than you can see how bad his edge work is!
Why Generic Drills Don't Cut It Anymore
In the modern era of hockey training, simply hitting the ice for routine skates is similar to spinning your wheels in the mud. This has become more common with everyone trying to "keep up with the jones" mentality and unloading their kids at every skate possible. As I observed firsthand with the U15 Directors Cup team, the players lacked the focused intensity required for true skill enhancement. It's not about the quantity of time spent on the ice but the quality and specificity of that time. Having skill sessions or practices with generic drills and lack of targeted feedback, fail to meet the demands of today's aspiring hockey players. They leave athletes feeling exhausted and plateaued, without the marked improvement necessary to climb the competitive ladder. This strategy was included in decisions with my fiancee, so we had her support to spend time away from the family to try this more precise and deliberate method of development that we felt only a skating treadmill can offer. It's time to move beyond the outdated, one-size-fits-all approach and embrace the power of specificity in training.
WEEK 3
You can see how his arms are all over the place, going side to side rather than front to back. When he recovers after a stride, his feet are still outside of his body instead of coming underneath him.
The Skating Treadmill Experiment Begins
I was determined to sharpen my son's skating skills; more importantly, he set the goal himself and I was there to support him in every minute of it! We dove headfirst into what I officially call The Skating Treadmill Experiment. It was a BIG mission that included a 2-hour drive (one way) every week to utilize the innovative skating treadmill to develop his stride, balance, and technique. This unique training offered a controlled setting where immediate adjustments and specialized feedback guided each session towards maximized efficiency and effectiveness. As we embarked on this new quest, it was new and exciting for my son.
Specificity is King
Diving into The Skating Treadmill Experiment revealed a truth: specificity allowed us to dissect and elevate each element of his skating, turning weaknesses into strengths. With every session, it became clear that this wasn't just training; it was a tailored program to unlock his skating potential. Each targeted exercise was a building block supporting training with specificity – it's not merely about practice but about practicing right. It’s a strategy that transforms good athletes into great ones, cementing the idea that when it comes to training, focusing intently on the craft is the key to unlocking true potential and achieving excellence.
WEEK 10
You can see how he is starting to bring his feet underneath his body, but still has old habits sneaking in. His arms are more controlled and going north to south more than side to side.
The Road Ahead
As we sit 2 months away from the U13AA tryouts from the moment I write this article, I'm not sure what the future holds for my boy. But I do know, we have 8 more weeks of training, father/son bonding road trips, and sushi take out ahead of us before we face the music. Either way, after two months of watching my Bambi learn how to skate, I am PRO skating treadmills and glad we took the plunge. The learning experience my son is more important than anything. After consistently working on his skating for approximately 4 months, it shows him that the only way to get better at something is by focusing on the process. It's no different than seeing a high school student try to cram or study all his knowledge the night before a big test, which may lead to temporary victory, but most likely won't do anything. It takes time, patience, and perseverance to truly become great at your craft.
