Jack Blatherwick
Are you getting the biggest bang for your buck this summer?
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 06 June 2013 17:53
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
“Train SMART, not just HARD.” – Herb Brooks
You have one life. Do not spend valuable time and energy on a training regimen that may not bring the results you’re looking for. Not all training programs are the same, and I offer three principles to see if you’re on the right track.
Read more: Are you getting the biggest bang for your buck this summer?
Eight-man D-zone coverage
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 06 June 2013 18:58
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
There’s a one-sided debate each spring at playoff time: Don Cherry, Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire lead the good ol’ boys in the fight for ‘no-holds-barred-defense.’ (Actually, Milbury debates with himself and changes sides every day). On the other side of the fence are the quiet non-debaters, those who don’t do TV commentary. This is a group of skillful geniuses like Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Pavel Datsyuk and the Sedin twins.
Why elephants can’t skate
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:48
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
If elephants could speak, they’d explain why they can’t skate like humans – but more importantly, why most summer training programs are inadequate for hockey. They’d demonstrate some anatomical differences between elephant hip joints and those of humans. One of the differences (explained in the next paragraph) allows humans to skate fast. That same anatomical difference helps an elephant support tons of weight. Consequently, elephants can’t skate, and humans need hip replacements after carrying extra pounds for a few years.
Study the NHL before prioritizing your offseason training
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 18:57
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Strength-conditioning gurus must not have seen a Chicago Blackhawks game in person or noticed the dramatic difference in the Minnesota Wild from last year to this. It is not simply a matter of muscle mass. The reasons the Wild are a legitimate playoff contender now and the Blackhawks are the best team in the NHL are obvious: speed, agility, skill and puck protection.
Read more: Study the NHL before prioritizing your offseason training
Eliminate fear of failure in the offseason: Scrimmage
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 21 March 2013 16:35
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
John Wooden, who coached UCLA basketball teams to 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, spoke often about developing offensive skills: “If you are afraid to fail, you’ll never accomplish the things you’re capable of doing.”
Offseason hockey should be the most creative experiences of the year, full of scrimmages without scoreboards, championships and adults who care too much about winning. In the winter, the structured environment places too much emphasis on avoiding mistakes, so offensive playmaking is marginalized.
Read more: Eliminate fear of failure in the offseason: Scrimmage
