We provide resources to teach you the best ways to ensure your body and mind are performing at their best on and off the ice. Find news, tips, and advice from industry experts, top coaches, and current and former players in nutrition, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, skill development, drills, coaching, and more.
The 5 Keys to Off-Season Training For Goalies
In the age of overloaded information we live in, the focus has now turned to gaining an edge over the competition. Information is no longer as valuable as it once…
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The top factors that make a great hockey drill
I want to share with you a drill we used many times this year. We call it the Yale 1v1. I like it for many reasons that I’ll share with…
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Hip stability for hockey players
It’s no secret we all have weaknesses that tend to cause problems in the weight room, on the field of play and in our daily lives. If you’re an athlete,…
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The Coaching Pyramid (Part 6)
I’ve said this many times this year that in 31 years of coaching hockey, this season was the most extraordinary and rewarding season of my career. We didn’t win championships.…
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The Coaching Pyramid (Part 5)
My son Ben, who is grade 12, was hired this week to do some math tutoring for a young grade 8 student. He did the prep work necessary, getting a…
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The Coaching Pyramid (Part 4)
Just before the first season that I coached hockey after finishing playing, the head coach I was going to work with and I traveled to Windsor, Ontario to attend Roger…
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The Coaching Pyramid (Part 3)
It’s really great to connect with other coaches in the summer. We are so busy during the season that often there is no time to just chat. So I make…
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The Coaching Pyramid (Part 2)
Carolyn Waldo was Canada’s top synchronized swimmer through the 1980’s. She won world championships, and Olympic and Commonwealth games Gold Medals. A silver medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games, Waldo…
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The hockey coaching pyramid
So, this is the official end of my five month hiatus. I have taken a break from writing to do what I truly love – coaching hockey. And, it’s been…
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Build your core for speed and durability
To this day, the core and how to train it remains one of the most regularly questioned parts of training for most athletes. I’ve seen it butchered more times than…
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The mental game of hockey
During the last few minutes before hitting the ice, during the coach’s pep talk, everyone might have their own routines and thoughts, fears and motivations. Then, going out there on…
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In-season training for max performance (with free guide)
While it’s obvious the hockey world has fully embraced the importance of off-season training over the past few years, in-season training still seems to be a mystery that baffles many…
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Pressure and finding your (wo)man
When we begin talking about defensive play, I will ask my player if they have ever played Monkey in the Middle. (Of course, at this point, I typically have to…
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Applying gym lessons on the ice
If you’ve been around here long enough, you’ll know that I wasn’t exactly an exemplary athlete during my junior and college hockey days. Although most of my teammates would say…
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Introducing Angi Keplinger: Sport psychologist for the national women’s Austrian hockey team
“Uhhh, can you read my mind?” “Ehm… no I´m a sports psychologist, not a magician!” First of all, let me introduce myself. I can neither read minds, nor analyze people;…
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Upper body training fundamentals
Hey hey, It’s time for another edition of “Master the Fundamentals”, but this week, we’ll be talking about the upper body. This is most likely everyone’s go-to, because it’s something…
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A year in the life of a head coach
Parents and players alike will often look at this season’s minor hockey head coach and picture how easy it is, and how they could, or they know someone who could…
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Lower body training fundamentals
Well hello again. I can only assume that by now you’ve practiced the art of diaphragmatic breathing again and again until you’ve mastered it. Last month’s article was all about…
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Nutrition for young hockey players
We reached out to you and asked what type of nutrition and wellness questions you had. We received the following from Stephanie Davis: “I have a young athlete, what is…
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Breathing to help fix and prevent hockey injuries
Let me paint you a picture. You’re referred to me by your physical therapist, coach or a friend and walk in ready to get your ass handed to you in…
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Strength training 101
Hi there. My name is Gavin McHale, and since we’re going to be spending some time together here at Women’s Hockey Hockey Life, I figure it’s best to introduce myself…
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Nutrition and Health Coach: Samantha Loeppky
Hello, Women’s Hockey Life readers! My name is Samantha Loeppky. I’m a rookie rec hockey player and self proclaimed Rocky movie series super fan who lives with her family in…
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Relaxation through breathing
A few weekends ago I had my first ever hockey tournament. Being a rookie rec player, I was nervous to say the least! During the first game, I was so…
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Tight Angle Save Selections
The position of goaltending is very simple from the outside looking in but has its complex nuances. When coaches take into account the speed and tactical nature of high-level hockey,…
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Developing Versatile Hockey Players
I watched a team yesterday run a great, simple drill in their practice. Two players started in the endzone faceoff circle, battled and played keep away for about 15 seconds,…
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Edge Control: A Must for All Goalies
Whether you’re a hockey player or spectator, for years you’ve probably heard that goalies need to be good skaters, perhaps even the best on the team. This is still true, but…
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Top 3 reasons why you can’t shoot
As a coach, I’m constantly amazed at how poorly most girls hockey players shoot. Here are my top 3 reasons why (there are many more as well): 1. Bad stick…
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Does playing multi sports make you a better hockey player?
There is an ongoing debate about the benefits of playing multi sports as a youth athlete, versus focusing all your efforts on one sport. Advocates of the single-sport specialized approach…
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3 hockey game-winning nutrition tips
Think of young hockey players as high-performance automobiles and food as the fuel that drives their performance. Far too often, players run out of gas during a game after having…
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