Tag: karl kurtz

This Week in Hockey Strength and Conditioning

What a week! We recently wrapped up a promotion with LivingSocial at Endeavor so we had a bunch of new start-ups this week. I’ve really been impressed with the work ethic of the new kids we’ve had. I strongly believe that’s a quality that you can develop with the right environment, but it’s refreshing to see kids enter with a high compete level.

Endeavor is also launching a new U-12 Athletic Development Program in April that I’m really excited about. I spent several hours with Matt Siniscalchi designing a template program early in the week and then several more refining it with the help of David Lasnier and Karl Kurtz (Karl doesn’t have a website, but he’s the mastermind behind all of my graphics work, so if you’re in need of a photoshop wizard, feel free to shoot me a message and I can put you in touch). It’s times likes these that it’s helpful to be surrounded by such a knowledgeable staff. If you live in the Eastern PA/New Jersey area, come check us out. We have a couple great specials running through the end of the month!

Before we get into the hockey training content from this past week, I wanted to let you know that I’ve posted 4 mini-webinars, which you may or may not have seen already), on Facebook. These were videos I made as part of the launch of my book Ultimate Hockey Training, and most recently, the complete video on concussion-like symptoms. I’m testing out a really cool new Facebook Webinar service (which I HIGHLY recommend if you have your own website or otherwise run your own business) that makes it easy for people to share the information with their friends. As I’ve said in the past, I’m indescribably grateful to all of you for forwarding some of my articles and videos along to your teammates, coaches, friends, and family. With the new Facebook Webinar service, it’s more convenient to watch the webinars AND to share them. It’s a win-win. In case you haven’t seen them already, check out these 4 webinars and please pass them along to anyone you think will benefit from the information!

  1. Transitional Speed Training for Hockey
  2. Hockey Conditioning
  3. Off-Ice Hockey Training Program Design
  4. The Truth About Concussion-Like Symptoms

This week, in quite possibly the most disclaimer-filled articles series in the history of the written word, I added a 4-part webinar series on concussions titled “The Truth About Concussion-Like Symptoms”. If you missed them, you can check them out here:

  1. The Truth About Concussion-Like Symptoms
  2. The Truth About Concussion-Like Symptoms: Part 2

Over the last week at Hockey Strength and Conditioning, we’ve added two new programs from Mike Potenza and Darryl Nelson and another great article from Anthony Donskov.

Darryl kicked things off with a timely training program for his players at the US NTDP (elite high school aged players). I like to see what other coaches are doing at specific times of the year because it sparks some good ideas on things I can incorporate into our programs and provides some insight into their philosophy. Darryl does a great job with the USA program so his programs are worth studying/modeling.

Check out the training program here >> Early Spring Off-Season Workout

Mike Potenza added a 2-day youth training program with videos of all the exercises. The program has a bit of a strength emphasis, but Mike does a terrific job of keeping everything simple, which is really important for youth players that don’t have a strong training background. Master the basics before you move on to advanced tactics. The videos are a great addition so youth players or parents that are reading the article can get an idea of how to perform the exercises with perfect technique.

Check out the youth training program here >> Youth Training Program: Strength Phase 1

Anthony Donskov, who I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside at a few of the US Women’s National Team camps over the past year, added another outstanding piece on designing training programs for contact athletes to preserve shoulders. As you likely know, shoulder injuries are extremely common in hockey, and because they typically result from high velocity contact, it’s generally thought that they are largely unpreventable. While there is some truth to that idea, following Anthony’s concepts will go a long way in minimizing the risk of a separation or dislocation.

Read Anthony’s article here >> Push/Pull Ratio for Contact Athletes

That’s a wrap for today. As always, if you aren’t a member yet, I encourage you to try out Hockey Strength and Conditioning for a week. It’ll only cost $1, and if it’s not the best buck you’ve ever spent, I’ll personally refund you!

To your success,

Kevin Neeld

P.S. Don’t forget to check this out! Facebook Webinars

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This Week at Hockey Strength and Conditioning

Today is Emily’s 25th birthday. I know, she’s getting old. But we still have a few years before society forces us to buy white sneakers, move to Florida and start eating dinner at 4pm every night. Em, if this is one of the 3 times you read my site every year, Happy Birthday!

Partial nudity aside (he has boots on), let’s get into what’s been going on over at Hockey Strength and Conditioning.

A couple weeks ago at Endeavor, Karl Kurtz (one of our coaches) mentioned he was reading an article and came across a new exercise that may be worth playing with. I played around with it a bit and really like it. I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as a “staple” exercise, but it’s another one to have in your tool box and a great way to add variety for players that have a long training history. Plus, I’m a “new” exercise junkie and am always interested in testing new things and seeing what else is out there, especially when it involves equipment we already have Check out the video at the link below:

Check it out here >> Stiff-Legged Sled Drag

Endeavor’s own David Lasnier wrote an excellent article on supplement recommendations for hockey players. I work with David so I get to benefit from his infinite Canadian wisdom on a daily basis, but this was still a great read. He and I both agree that the overwhelming majority of supplements are crap, and that most companies are marketing-heavy and quality-limited…meaning they’re good at getting you to buy, but not good on delivering on their promises. His article describes the supplements that are actually worth looking into, both in terms of having research-documented benefits and in terms of being safe. I’m looking forward to more stuff from David in the future.

Check it out here >> Supplement Recommendations for Hockey Players

Sean Skahan (from the Anaheim Ducks for those of you that don’t know Sean) did another interview with our “behind the scenes guy” Anthony Renna about post-workout nutrition the training he’s doing with his guys at this point in the season. It’s always enlightening to hear Sean speak, especially about his situation with the Ducks. Pro hockey presents a lot of unique challenges and training at that level has a different emphasis and application than training at lower levels. Sean has done a great job with the Ducks and provides a lot of insight for young coaches like me in this interview.

Check it out here >> Audio Interview with Sean Skahan

Click Here for the best in Hockey Strength and Conditioning

To your continued success,

Kevin Neeld

P.S. Try HockeyStrengthandConditioning.com for 7 days for only $1! It’ll be the best dollar you’ve ever spent.

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