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28 // AUGUST 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM 3 IT TAKES MORE than quick reflexes to be good on face offs. Being quick on the draw is important, but the proper mental preparation is the key. You have to be aware of the situation, take in a lot of information quickly, process it and formulate your game plan before the puck is dropped. What you're going to do with the draw depends on several factors, including which way your opponent shoots, where the faceoff is taking place on which side the official is dropping the puck, and where your opponent places his stick. Being good on the face off is an acquired skill, just like developing your wrist shot or backhand. You can always practice faceoffs. Try to win 10 face offs on your forehand, 10 on your backhand and another 10 where you try to tie up your opponent's stick with your stick and use your feet to control the draw. When it comes to being in position to take the draw, find a stance that is comfortable for you. Be ready with your stick down, your skates in the cross hairs and don't fidget. A player who takes pride in winning faceoffs and works hard on them in practice will likely be on the ice during a key point in the game. Even though it may not end up in the stat sheet, winning a key faceoff is as important as a goal or an assist. F Bryan Trottier is a Hall of Famer who won six Stanley Cups over the course of his 18-year NHL career. Quick On The Draw Kick It Into High Gear T h e r e i s a d i f f e r e n c e between quickness and speed. Quickness is first gear but speed is the second, third and fourth gears that help you pull away from the competition. I m p r ove y o u r s k a t i n g t e c h - nique and you'll improve your speed. That means learning prop- er use of edges, staying low with knees bent and using the proper stride for maximum power. Keeping your knees bent will allow you to get full extension with your legs. It will also allow you to keep more of your blade in contact with the ice. When you're doing on-ice skat- ing drills, start slow and work your way up. Doing drills right is more important than doing them quickly. If you're using an improp- er technique quickly all it means is you'll go nowhere faster. Off-ice plyometric drills like squats, jumps and sprints can help improve your speed. Once again, remember to start slow a n d w o r k y o u r w a y u p. D o n ' t be afraid to challenge and push yourself. Some people think that speed is a God-given talent, and they may be right. But you can defi- n i t e l y i m p r ove o n y o u r s p e e d with hard work and practice. A s p r o s , w e t r y t o i m p r o v e o n o u r s k i l l s e a c h a n d e v e r y day, but especially in the sum- m e r m o n t h s b y w o r k i n g o u t w i t h t e a m m a t e s o r p e r s o n a l t r a i n e r s. F Hall of Famer Bill Guerin played 16 years in the NHL and was a m e m b e r o f t h re e U. S. O l y m p i c Teams. He is currently the general manager of the Minnesota Wild. W I N M O R E FA C E O F F S By Br ya n Trot tier SKATE FASTER THAN EVER By Bi l l Gueri n PHOTOS BY Getty Images ILLUSTRATIONS BY Mike Curti