The longer I study athletic development, the more I realize that I have a lot to learn. One of the best ways to learn a lot quickly is to talk to other professionals to get a different perspective. As soon as I moved down to Baltimore I emailed Nick Tumminello and asked if I could pick his brain a bit.
Nick is a brilliant guy that does a lot of work with figure competitors and MMA fighters. While that’s not exactly the population I work with, a lot of training concepts will be similar among athletes.

Nick showed me this exercise to work on core strength in a rotational deceleration pattern. This is strength that you’ll use every time you give a pass or take a shot. It’s extremely functional, extremely hard to do well, and extremely funny looking. The perfect formula for an awesome exercise.

[quicktime] http://www.kevinneeld.com/videos/Stick%20Hit%20Rotation%20(Jamie%20Carroll).mov [/quicktime]

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This goes for non-hockey players too. The best way to get the most bang for your training buck is to find a highly motivated partner and push each other.

You’ll be surprised how quickly you start to make progress when you’re paired up with a supportive AND competitive training partner.
Nothing creates on-ice success and friendship like a 150-Yard Shuttle Run.

[quicktime] http://www.kevinneeld.com/videos/150-Yard%20Shuttle%20(Carroll%20&%20Tangradi).mov[/quicktime]

– Kevin Neeld

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This is what happens when you combine work ethic, raw strength, and a well-designed training program. The 1-Arm Dumbbell Hang Snatch is a great exercise to develop lower body explosiveness and force transfer through the core.
Endeavor will soon need to buy a new set of heavier dumbbells to accommodate Jamie’s dominance.

[quicktime] http://www.kevinneeld.com/videos/1-Arm%20DB%20Hang%20Snatch%20(Jamie%20Carroll%2090%20x%202).mov [/quicktime]

For the sport-specific fanatics out there that can’t see how this transfers on the ice, think of it this way. Any time you give or accept a check, you begin to produce force by pushing your skates into the ground, transfer the force through your core, and continue to transfer that force through your shoulder to an ill-prepared opponent. Any time you shoot you start to generate power through your hips, transfer it through your core, and follow through with your wrists.

Training isn’t about taking a pattern from the game (e.g. shooting with a weighted stick) and overloading it to death. In fact, that can lead to muscle imbalances that increase injury risk. Training is about teaching, reinforcing, and strengthening movement strategies, power generation/transfer and creating strength balance.

Train harder. Train smarter.

– Kevin Neeld

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James Van Riemsdyk, the 2nd overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyer’s in the 2007 draft, is one of the many notable hockey players that has walked through our doors at Endeavor Fitness.

In this interview with ABC, James talks about how he’s preparing for his NHL debut.

*If the video does not appear below, click here to watch it directly from the ABC site.

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Last week we had over 10 NHL draft picks, 15 Division 1 NCAA players, and 6 soon to be D1 players training here. If you play hockey anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic area and still aren’t training here, you’re missing out on a phenomenal opportunity to take your game to the next level.

As with all of my services, results are guaranteed.

If you don’t live anywhere near Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey, but are still interested in making huge improvements this summer, shoot me an email at kneeld@endeavorfit.com. I have a few online training client spots left for DEDICATED athletes. With online training you’ll receive a comprehensive training program customized to fit your specific needs with instructions on how to perform the exercises and how to select the your loads/intensities. You’ll also receive nutrition consultation based on your needs.

Email me now. Training groups are filling up fast with players like this:

 

– Kevin Neeld

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