Most Minor Hockey Players and Teams know that they should warm-up before they hit the ice, but sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough time and space to get it done
Minor Hockey Warm-up
Most Minor Hockey Players and Teams know that they should warm-up before they hit the ice, but sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough time and space to get it done. With all the driving to the rink, putting on equipment and pre-game pep talks… usually there isn't enough time left to fit in a complete off-ice hockey warm-up.
Let's face it - most young hockey players barely get on the ice in time for the start of their 3-minute on-ice warm-up… AND, most hockey rinks barely have enough room for two players to pass each other carrying their bags in the hallway, let alone enough room to have an entire team warm-up at the same time.
However, a proper off-ice warm-up is not only possible, but also necessary - especially when you've only got a few minutes to skate once you step on the ice. Would it surprise you to find out that you can get a highly effective, hockey-specific off-ice warm-up routine done in just a couple of minutes, with the entire team in the dressing room? Push all the bags to one corner of the dressing room and you can get all your players doing this quick off-ice warm-up at the exact same time. For younger players, it will show them, at an early age, that a proper warm-up is very important !
Here is a warm-up that you can do absolutely anywhere:
• 20 jumping jacks
• 20 high knees
• 20 alternating forward lunges (10 on each leg)
• 20 squats
Try that sequence once and you'll see that it will get your muscles warmed up and your heart rate elevated before starting your event. Run through it 5 times in a row and you will come flying out of the gate
Make it fun… Talk to the players while they do it. Encourage them… Pump them Up.
You may not be able to spend 15 minutes doing a complete off-ice warm-up, but you can always find one extra minute to get ready before taking the ice.