Why Hockey Players Should Do Split Squats
Hockey is a fast and powerful sport. Players need strong legs to skate, stop, and change direction quickly. A great exercise to build lower body strength for hockey is the split squat.
What Is a Split Squat?
A split squat is a leg exercise where one foot stays in front and the other foot is behind you. You bend your front knee to lower your body, then push back up. This move works one leg at a time, which is an example of unilateral training.
How Do Split Squats Help Hockey Players?
Split squats are great for hockey players because they can improve balance, strength, and flexibility. Here’s how:
1. Better Balance
Hockey players often skate on one leg at a time. Whether you’re pushing off or gliding, you need strong balance. Split squats force you to control your body on one leg, making you more stable on the ice.
2. Stronger Legs
Skating needs strong quads, hamstrings, and glutes. Split squats build all these muscles. Stronger legs mean faster skating, and more stability on the ice.
3. Injury Reduction
Hockey is a demanding sport on the lower body, especially the hips. Split squats help strengthen the muscles around these joints, making injuries less likely.
5. Better Flexibility
More range of motion will help with your stride length on the ice. Deficit split squats are a split squat variation where you stand with each foot on an elevated surface. This is usually a few plates stacked on top of each other or a couple riser blocks. This forces you to go through a deeper position. This will stretch your hips while making them stronger.
Final Thoughts
If you want to be faster, stronger, and more balanced on the ice, split squats are a great movement to include in your workouts. This simple exercise can make a big difference in your game. Give it a try and feel the improvement.
Train Hard, Play Hard
-Brandon
Comments