Now that the excitement of the NHL free agency spending spree seems to have run its course, it is time for hockey players to switch focus. For you Canadian players out there, July 1, Canada Day, celebrations are long over. The same goes for any Americans with July 4th hangovers long since cleared up.
The off-season is when the serious conditioning work has to be done. Ideally, you have a great summer program that your team has tailored to your particular training needs. Or, you are working with a personal trainer to meet these same objectives.
Time is running out.
Major junior camps start in late August, only 8 week away.
NHL rookie camps have about 9 to 10 weeks before they start.
University and college programs will be hitting the ice in roughly 12 weeks.
Minor hockey and senior programs are also about 12 weeks away from starting.
Ideally, a hockey player needs about 12 weeks of quality training to be able to go into the pre-season with conditioning components like the energy systems, strength, and flexibility at the levels where they need to be.
It is never too late to start.
Need help?
The Hockey Conditioning Handbook comes to this site this week as a downloadable ebook. The handbook contains all the information you need to put together a great off-season training program.
The ebook also has the training information you need to get you through the rest of your hockey year: In-Season, Post-Season and Pre-Season training in a nutshell. The material is easy to use and includes illustrations and sample drills. It is adaptable to all ages and can be used by both male and female hockey players.
Look for The Hockey Conditioning Handbook on this site and get training!