Hockey, Dot Drills and Agility

Every person involved in the hockey world knows that agility is something all players should aim for. Being agile means being able to move quickly and deftly on the ice. And, while there are plenty of drills out there that, along with regular practice, can help to improve agility, dot drills are not one of them. Some coaches think dot drills will help with agility and thus use them repeatedly, not knowing they could be doing more harm than good.   

Dot Drills Don’t Teach the Right Skills

The thing to understand about agility is that it comes from strength. A person can’t be agile if he’s not also powerful. And, it’s hard to have power without strength. Thus, to create agility, you have to first create strength, balance, and thorough mobility. None of these are things that dot drills focus on, thus rendering them ineffective when it comes to improving agility.

Dot Drills May Teach Bad Habits

In fact, not only are dot drills not effective when it comes to teaching agility, but they’re not really the best choice for hockey players in general. Dot drills focus on long, frequent strides and pattern repetition, neither of which are likely to come up in a real game of hockey. If players do these drills too often, they can actually become too used to moving in this forced, repetitive way, which can keep them from reacting naturally and quickly on the ice. Obviously, this is the last thing you want, especially if your beginning goal was to achieve agility.

As you can see, dot drills are not a great choice, There are other, much better ways to teach agility, the best of them being regular strength training and regular practice. Thus, leave the dot drills alone and focus on things that actually build agility, instead of stunting it.

Supplementation: Is it Necessary for Hockey Players

In the hockey world, there is still a lot of debate over whether or not hockey players should use supplements. Some people argue that supplements are potentially unsafe and should be avoided while others tout their benefits.   

Those who are wary of supplements are right to be careful. It is very important for athletes or, in the case of youth athletes, their parents to educate themselves on how safe and how well-researched various supplements are.

With that said, though, there are a few supplements that are safe and that can sometimes be quite useful for hockey players.

Creatine Monohydrate

One substance that has been found to be quite safe is Creatine Monohydrate. This supplement provides a lot of energy, the kind that hockey players need. Plus, it can help the body to create and store more muscle as opposed to fat. Many people also find that Creatine monohydrate gives them more power and stamina on the ice.

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance in the body, and there is no indication that ingesting it in supplement form has any harmful effects. Thus, it can be used, within recommended dosing guidelines, without worry.

Whey Protein

Like Creatine, whey protein is a very natural product. In fact, it’s actually a byproduct of cheese production. It also happens to be loaded with protein, making it an excellent choice for building muscle and losing excess fat at the same time.

Furthermore, whey protein is helpful for speeding recovery and healing, which is why it is advisable to take this supplement, within the recommended guidelines provided, after a workout or tough practice.

Beta Alanine

One final product that is recommended for hockey players is Beta Alanine, which is really effective at working naturally within the body to combat muscle fatigue.

Because of its effects, it is a solid choice for players who need help improving their endurance.

At the end of the day, no one has to take supplements, nor should anyone be forced to. But, for those who do wish to take supplements, these safe options and others like them are good choices.

Should Your Child Take Creatine?

For many years now, Creatine has been a “hot topic” in the hockey world. It is a natural supplement that is thought to be very beneficial for hockey athletes. The benefits that people rave about include replenishing ATP stores, which can lead to better energy on the ice, and easier muscle building.  

While most people do feel that Creatine is safe since the body itself produces it naturally, you may be wondering if it’s safe for the young athlete in your life. And, while you may meet people who disagree, most would advise not taking Creatine unless one is at least 18 years of age.

The main reason for this isn’t because Creatine has some scary effects when taken by minors. In fact, evidence really hasn’t shown anything but positive effects when Creatine is used. However, all that evidence comes from research done on adult athletes.

Because no research has been performed regarding Creatine and its impact on kids and their growing bodies, minors who use it are taking a risk. They are stepping into the unknown and could potentially expose themselves to harm. Furthermore, there is no standard or recommended dose of Creatine for children, so it is impossible to know what a safe dose would consist of for a person under 18.

If you’re not willing to expose your child to potential risks, then Creatine should be a “no go” in your house. Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of other ways to supply your child with the energy and stamina he or she needs to perform well on the ice and to build a strong body. Vitamins, lean protein, leafy vegetables, and good sources of carbohydrates are all effective ways to achieve the same results that Creatine provides.