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Show Notes: https://agelesshockey.com/21
Email: Jim@AgelessHockey.com
Will the Over 50 Hockey Player Spend Money to Improve?
IMPORTANT: If you don’t want to get better, that’s fine.
Some of the guys I skate with have no desire to improve.
Why try to get better?
Enjoy playing more. It’s fun to score, get assists and be a better teammate.
Working on becoming a better hockey player also requires a time commitment.
Some Traditional Methods to Improve:
New stick (proper flex)
New skates
Trying different skate blade profiles and sharpening hollows
Ask better players for help
Play hockey in a league, DIH, Sticks & Pucks and Open Skating.
Read books
YouTube videos
Gym workouts
Nutrition
Practice Stick handling and shooting: Green Biscuit/Snipe and Speed Ball (Off-Ice).
HOCKEY TRAINING AIDS
Local Stores: Perani’s Hockey World, Pure Hockey
Hockey Training
https://www.hockeytraining.com/aids/
Serious products: Sled, Medicine Ball, Bands, Kettle-bells, Forearm Grip Tool, Incline Weight Bench, Plyo Box, Pull Up Bars
Hockey Shot
https://www.hockeyshot.com/HockeyShot-Line-Up.htm
Synthetic ice, slide board, shooting tarp, extreme passers, regulation goal, etc.
ONLINE HOCKEY TRAINING
I’ve been looking for a paid training program. I’m willing to pay for convenience, but it must also have high quality video and expert instruction.
These training programs are mainly for younger players, but I believe they can also help us Over 50 Players.
Hockey Pro Training
https://hockeyprotraining.com/
Instructor: Matt Korthuis (former professional European player)
The Academy: 6 Week Intensive Training Course (Mindset and Mental Toughness) = $297 (one time)
Hockey IntelliGym
https://www.usahockeyintelligym.com/
Instructors: ?
Train your brain to think faster = $29/month (12 month pay) = $348/year
They have Success Stories on their website.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Goalie Buster
http://goaliebuster.com/
Instructor: Coach Jeremy (Never Played Professionally) at HowToHockey.com
Goalie Buster ($39) and Complete Guide to Stick-handling ($24.95) = $49 ($39 US one time)
On-Ice videos
I purchased this in Aug 2017. It has great info. I like Coach Jeremy.
Negatives for me: Jeremy is a Right-handed shooter. I’m Left handed.
Hockey Training
https://www.hockeytraining.com/
Instructors: Kevin McClelland (Former Junior player in Canada) and Dan Garner (Strength, Conditioning and Nutritional Specialist)
A variety of programs at different prices.
Men’s League Hockey Training Program: $297 (one time)
VIP Membership: Get all programs = $49/month, $120/every 3 months
In-Season Hockey Training Program (Ages 14+)
Youth In-Season Hockey Training Program
Men’s League Hockey Training Program
Conditioning Program
Speed Program
Goalie Training Program
Bodyweight “At-Home” Program
“At-Home” Follow Along Program
Hockey Yoga
9-Minute Hockey Workouts
Core Program
Hip Fix Program
Negatives for me: Their programs are mainly Off-Ice training.
VIP membership does include On-Ice videos.
Many of their programs require a Full Gym (Health club).
The training looks too intense for me.
The instructors are great, but Right-handed shooters.
Online Hockey Training
https://www.onlinehockeytraining.com/
Instructor: Kevin Lance Pitlick (former NHL player).
Stick-handling and Shooting program = $149/year
Negatives for me: Off-Ice training
Lance is a Right-handed shooter.
Hockey Skills Training
https://www.hockeyskillstraining.com/
Instructors: Tim Turk (NHL Skills & Shooting Coach), Lucas Lawson (NHL Skating Coach), Matt Korthuis (Pro Stick Handling Coach)
Shooting, Skating, Stick-handling = $99 (one time)
Mindfulness Training = $39 (one time)
These are On-Ice videos, which is what I’m looking for.
Negatives for me: The shooting and stick-handling coaches are Right-handed. The skating coach is Left handed.
Too bad, because I really like these guys. Plus, I like the price.
iTrain Hockey
https://itrainhockey.com/
Instructors: Sean Walker (Played “Junior A” Hockey, Certified Trainer)
Skating, Shooting, Passing, Puck Control, Offensive/Defensive Tactics and more.
Eight Video Categories: 1. Skills, 2. Coaches, 3. Off-Ice, 4. Knowledge,
5. Team Practices, 6. Individual,
7. Remote Coaching (send Sean a video of yourself), 8. NHL Player Analysis
Video Membership: $100/year (200+ videos)
Left-handed shot (FINALLY)
Skinner Hockey
https://www.skinnerhockey.com/product-category/video-on-demand/
Instructor: Sean Skinner (Professional Skills Coach for 25 years.)
https://www.skinnerhockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sean-Skinner-Bio-2012.pdf
Stickhandling: $30/each, $150/5 DVDs
Stickhandling for Roller Hockey = $20 (Wes)
Skating: $40/each, $390/10 DVDs
Breakaways, Penalty Shot & Shoot-outs: $30
Checking: $25/each, $100/4 DVDs (NOT INTERESTED)
All the videos (except for Stickhandling for Roller Hockey): $500
VOD (Video On Demand) or VOD +DVD (Shipping and Handling)
Listener Email
Joe
12-10-18: Great episode Jim.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve started thinking about how to get
better and improve. I’ve been working on it too. I don’t want to
just play, I need to improve, otherwise I’m not happy.
I built a shooting tarp in the back yard to practice my shot, also use a
stick-handling ball and some cones to practice stick handling with my head
up off ice as well. It’s never too late to learn how to look up when stick
handling!
http://howtohockey.com/20-off-ice-stickhandling-drills/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtpn4r5qPHw
Zac: Off-Ice shooting in game situations – don’t have much time to shoot
https://247hockey.com/about/
Looking forward to hearing how you work on improving!
Thanks, Joe
Wes (roller hockey)
12-11-18: Hi, Jim,
You are too hard on yourself. I get it – I am wired the same way. I take drop in hockey way too seriously.
I go home and analyze what I did over and over and find all the things wrong and get mad at myself. That is understandable but we can’t do that. I tend to agree with the guy that says just relax and have fun. That’s how it is supposed to be, but I am just like you and it bugs me and I try to improve. And here is what I do:
1. Skating with head up. This is a big problem with me. I’m getting better but old habits die hard. When I practice I work on focusing on something and skating with a puck and keeping my eye on whatever, it is. I also like to use a Green Biscuit in the driveway and do the same thing. Look at the bird feeder (or something) and keep looking at it and stick-handle up and down the driveway.
2. During games – without the puck I tell myself to either watch the puck carrier or if he is behind me, look at the place I want to be and focus on it. If I hear my name then I turn my head to see if the puck is coming, but generally I’m good like that.
It takes practice and patience to get into the habit. Don’t get frustrated with yourself.
Look up for a few strides, look down, then look up again. Soon you’ll be skating regularly with your head up. As a wise man said to me once, the only time to get down on yourself is when you stop trying. Just keep at it – even old guys like us can change some bad habits.
Scoring slump – Last Saturday when I was by myself. I went to the slot and set up several balls and just shot. Then set up in a different spot and shot. Back and forth. Slot then side then back to the slot. Easy spots to shoot from. Then on Sunday, I had a mental picture in my head and when we were on the attack I went to my spots. And wouldn’t you know it, Corey centered one right to the slot and I was so relaxed and felt right at home and went high on the stick side and scored. I was in the exact spot where I had practiced the day before! It worked!
I get into mental imaging a lot. I did it more as a goalie, but I still do it as a skater now. Before the game – before you even get to the rink – visualize what you want to do. Where you want to go. Visualize what you’ll do when the puck gets sent to you. It sounds hokey, but it works.
When you watch your Red Wings, focus on one guy or one position. Take your eye off the puck and watch a winger or center and follow him all over the screen. Very interesting what they do!
OK Jim. Good luck, stay healthy, and enjoy hockey! Wes
Tips
Coach Jeremy at How To Hockey: “Have someone video you skating/playing. This will show you exactly how you look.”
Check your skate laces after each skate. Always have an extra pair of laces in your equipment bag.
Molded lace tip on each skate was broken.
Update on Jim
New Profile: 10’, 9/16’ hollow
Last league game I was called to sub: Dec 12, 2018 (2 months/8 weeks ago). This is disappointing.
I’ve been playing Drop-In at least once a week.
Mike Donnelly (Livonia, MI) 55 yr
Michigan State University: 1986 NCAA single season record = 59 goals
NHL: 5 Teams, 10 years
Fast skater
Left-Handed
I emailed Mike to see if he would do private on-ice training.
http://powershothockey.com/instructors
THANKS FOR LISTENING!
Please let me know of any training programs you recommend.
Email me at Jim@AgelessHockey.com
I value your time and appreciate all of you that have subscribed to my podcast.
Have fun playing the greatest game on earth!
STAY ON THE ICE