USA Hockey Magazine

AUGUST 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 25 head- line here E VERY PLAYER, no matter what position they play, needs to know how to skate backwards. If you can't skate backwards, the opposition will go by you like you're a pylon. As in the forward stride, it is important to emphasize power, which is achieved by using your skate edges, leg muscles and body weight. Start in the ready position, head up, knees and ankles bent, with your back fairly straight. Skate with one hand on your stick, keep the top hand on the end of the stick, with your elbow tucked inward. Start by pointing the heel of your front foot out to the side. Dig in and push off from the heel to the toe, making half circles (C-Cuts) on the surface. After creating a full stride, bring your leg back under your hip and repeat with the other leg. Keep the knee of the glide leg bent while the other leg is striding. The keys to a good stride a r e p o w e r, l e n g t h a n d recovery — players with poor strides don't often recover their stride, causing poor balance. Finally, stay low while skating backward. This will help maintain a long stride, which generates speed. F Mark Tabrum is the director of USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program. Playing In The Corners BACKWARDS THINKING SKATING BACKWARDS By Ma rk Ta br u m 3 You've heard the old football saying, "The game is won in the trenches." The same thing holds true for hockey. Win the battles for the puck along the boards and in the corners and you'll likely win the game. It's not the biggest or strongest player that wins that battle for the puck, it's the player who wants it more. The player who goes into the corner with the most desire will likely come out with the puck. When you're in a scrum for the puck along the boards, keep your feet moving, your knees bent and maintain a low center of gravity. If you're standing straight up you're likely to get knocked off the puck. Use your body as a shield to keep your opponent away from the puck, and practice using your feet to move it. If you're too close to the boards you want to control the puck using your feet until you're in a position where you can use your stick and make a pass or skate into open ice. As you head into the corner, take a peak over your shoulder to see where your opponent is. Don't go straight toward the boards. Take an angle so that you can pick up the puck and move on. You have to be ready for physical contact, even if it's a little bump. F Hall of Famer Bill Guerin played 16 years in the NHL and was a member of three U.S. Olympic Teams. He is now the general manager of the Minnesota Wild. WIN MORE CORNER BATTLES By Bi l l Gueri n

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