Skating Tips

I asked my Grandpa, Chuck Grillo, his best skating advice.

This is what he told me...

Learning how to skate is kind of a given. Players learn two ways. One, they emulate those who have great form and technique. Two, there is instruction on the basics of skating and that stays with you every time you step on the ice. How many times have you heard, "They skate just like their father or mother."

Bret Hedican's children will have to choose between Bret and Kristi. We know which one we would emulate. The techniques you learn can be, and should be, incorporated in to the warm-up prior to each ice session.

The tip is: Ultimately off-ice training is the difference maker. Professional mentors and scouts have known this for years. Once the technique fits your body physiologically, your goal should be to get bigger, quicker, stronger and faster. Technique should be repeated in warm up drills.

This is a simple, but not easy process. Jump, sprint, lift and skate on the same day and you have four different muscle groups, with four different ranges of motion, working and growing together. Over speed drills on the ice cause you to skate out of your comfort zone. The end result is a bigger, quicker, stronger, faster skater capable of acquiring all of the agility and mobility skills incorporated in to the drills required for success. Practice @ the tempo you play and your chances of succeeding are greatly enhanced.

This also gives you a psychological advantage on your opponent in life knowing you paid a bigger price to succeed. Injuries sustained during competition heal quicker.

The next order of business is thinking and believing big. All children ask the same questions:

"(Fun)damentals, skills in the drills and synergy beyond imagination. We want to know where we are going, how we are going to get there and who is going along with us for the ride?"

Sincerely,

Monique Rondeau
Age 11
Ole Gringo's Granddaughter

Copyright by Chuck Grillo, Minnesota Hockey Camps24621 So Clark Lake Rd P.O. Box 90 Nisswa, MN 56468-0090Phone 218.96.2444 Fax 218.963.2325 Email chuck@mnhockeycamps.comAll rights reserved.No part of this book, blog OR template may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from Minnesota Hockey Camps