Practice Plan
Warm Up Drills
1. Skating Forward
Posture Essentials:
- Knees Bent: Deep knee bend for a low center of gravity—think “sitting in an invisible chair.”
- Chest Up, Shoulders Relaxed: Keep the chest open and back straight to maintain vision and balance.
- Weight Over Balls of Feet: This promotes explosive strides and quick transitions.
- Arms Loose and Active: Hands in front of the body, elbows bent, ready to pump or handle the puck.
- Head Up: Vision is everything—eyes should be scanning the ice, not looking down at the puck.
2. Skating Backward
Posture Essentials:
- Hips Low, Core Engaged: Even more crucial here for stability, especially when defending.
- Shoulders Square to Opponent: Enables better control of gap and lateral movement.
- Knees and Ankles Flexed: Keep flex in joints to absorb movement and respond quickly.
- Stick Positioned Smartly: Keep it in the passing lane or ready for poke checks.
- Eyes Up, Pivot Ready: Read the play while being ready to transition forward at any moment.
3. Fighting for the Puck (Corners or Along the Boards)
Posture Essentials:
- Strong Base: Feet shoulder-width apart, weight low and centered to maintain leverage.
- Use the Hips: Engage the hips and legs to protect the puck or gain positioning—this is where strength matters more than size.
- Core Tight, Back Straight: Avoid hunching over; core engagement allows for better resistance and quick pivots.
- Elbows In, Stick Strong: Keep control of your stick and be ready to absorb contact or dish out a reverse check legally.
- Head on a Swivel: Always be aware of pressure, teammates, and escape routes.
tampa bay bulls mites 2025-26 