A hockey balance board is a great off-ice training tool for players to use to improve their overall game. If you’re not familiar, a hockey balance board is a piece of equipment that looks like a skateboard with no wheels that rests on a cylinder. Hockey players stand on the board while balancing on the cylinder and use it for stickhandling drills and workouts.
A balance board will help improve core and leg strength, stickhandling, and balance. It is the type of off-ice training equipment that will have you skating circles around the opposition when you get back on the ice. Here are five tips for training on a hockey balance board.
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Use the Right Surface
A hockey balance board can be used on almost any surface but, for beginners, the board will be easier to use if the cylinder is on a surface that offers some sort of friction. This means a carpeted area or grass if you are outside. The bonus of using it on these surfaces is that they are softer to land on if you fall off in the beginning! As you get more experienced, you can use slicker surfaces for a more challenging workout.
Little Movements
You don’t have to do much to get the balance board to glide back and forth. A little pressure on one leg will get it going one way and a little pressure on the opposite leg will make it go back. Big movements or pressure is what will make you fall off. Start by just standing on the board while balancing on the cylinder. Then, you can start incorporating these small movements to get it going back and forth.
Use Your Stick
Using your stick to help you balance is a good idea, especially in the beginning. You can start by holding it perpendicular to the board (like a tightrope walker would) to find your balance. Once you have it, put your stick on the floor to get into your hockey stance. It’s ok to lean on it at first until you start to feel comfortable.
Keep Your Head Up
Once you get the hang of balancing and mobbing side to side on your hockey balance board, you can start doing stickhandling drills. There are all kinds of drills you can do no matter what skill or experience level you are. The most important piece of any balance board drill though is to keep your head up and eyes looking around (not down at your feet or stick). This will help train you to keep your head up on the ice to pick out the right pass or find your opportunity to shoot on goal.
Workouts, Not Just Drills
Stickhandling drills on your hockey balance board are great but this is a versatile piece of off-ice training equipment. You can also use it for different workouts as well like planks or pushups. Remember, part of the reason that this is such a valuable piece of training equipment is that it helps with your strength and conditioning, not just your on-ice skills.
Conclusion
Every serious hockey player should at least consider having a hockey balance board as part of their off-ice training collection. The strength, balance, and skills you can develop while using it can pay off big time by making you a stronger and more graceful skater and a better and more effective stickhandler. Check out the hockey balance board and more of the best off-ice training equipment in the game as Sniper Edge Hockey.
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