The hockey off-season is often thought of as a time for young players to relax, blow off
steam, and have fun. And, it definitely should be all of these things.
However, the
off-season should not be a time to completely slack off, especially when it
comes to exercise. If kids spend their entire break on the couch, they’ll have
a much harder time getting back into the swing of things once the season
starts.
Fortunately,
there are plenty of fun ways to sneak in exercise…often without it even feeling
like exercise.
Take a
Turn at Tennis
One fun
thing is to get your child to play a little tennis or maybe even take tennis
lessons.
Not only is
tennis enjoyable and relaxing, but it can also help with agility, coordination,
and speed, all of which are important skills for hockey.
Spend
Some Time on a Skateboard
If you want
to get your child active outdoors, buy him a skateboard.
Kids love
skateboarding and, like tennis, it teaches skills that are important for
hockey. These include balance, coordination, and control of one’s body.
You don’t
need to spend money on professional lessons either. Most kids can figure basic
skateboarding out just fine on their own.
Take a
Dip
Most kids
will spend time swimming in the summer. And, while it might look like pure fun,
it’s actually great exercise.
In fact,
lots of water activities can be helpful for building strength and stamina.
Activities like paddleboarding, canoeing, and even jet-skiing all focus on
balance, strength, and other important skills.
Chances are,
if your child is doing something in the water, he’ll be getting useful exercise
in the process.
As you can
see, there are plenty of ways to work in exercise while still keeping things fun
and light. Encourage your child to try these activities, or, even better yet,
get out there and try them with your child!
