This evening it was off to the Ice Arena to watch a bit of hockey on the big ice (Tigers v Blackhawks, A Grade) while I skated casually around the small rink. On the way I also paid for a term at the Ice Hockey Academy on Tuesday nights. I learned there that B's skate classes had commenced for this term earlier that evening, which is what I'd said to him (based on some random 8 year old I'd been talking with on Sunday) so I was glad I'd turned out to be right (thanks kid!).
When I got home I learned further that B's mum has put a deposit on some skates for him, which made me even happier both for him and his family that they have seen their way through to doing this for their very keen son/brother. A very productive Wednesday night, in other words!
I skated only a bit over an hour, only just raising a sweat on a handful of occasions. Technically, nothing too challenging, more work on the backwards inside C cuts, open ice 3 turns, deepening the knee bends on ultra tight turns at reasonable speed, rehersals of accelerating leg movements while supporting myself against the boards.
There weren't a great many skaters (meaning that there was sufficient room for everyone to be doing their thing even though it was 'only' the small ice). The majority were in own skates, and most of these were out to get better at hockey skating. I knew most by face and about half by name. My hockey peers seemed pretty pleased that I'm paid up for the Academy this term, which is really nice I think! The comradeship of the ice, further crystalised.
Fridge
Wednesday 30 April 2014
Monday 28 April 2014
Winter almost here
What passes for 'winter' in Adelaide is almost upon us, school has gone back for the second term of the academic year, we approach the public holidayless months between June and October, NHL approaching it's end of playoffs climax, all other northern leagues either wound up on onto their last game (KHL - Go Lev!). Summer Season C Grade and almost glory in the early autumn a receding memory.
More positively, the local leagues are starting up. Adelaide Adrenaline off to a late start in the AIHL, A Grade at the Ice Arena already played a round of games before the school break. Vikings registration for the winter season (terms 2 and 3 of the school year) is this coming weekend, games and presumably training probably commence the week following.
Ice Academy and Skating classes also begin this week. I won't be able to get to the Academy this week, but might as well pay for it at next opportunity. Might as well pay for B's classes at the same time (thanks, Uncle George and Aunty Ester). And IHSA membership (so I can play in Shinnies). And fees for the coming Vikings season with the small change.
Even with all of the equipment, not much change from a thousand dollars to play a couple seasons of ice hockey. About a quarter of that for inline. At least the gear is interchangeable between the sports at the level I play at (except the skates, of course, and (practically speaking) the hockey pants, along with ice hockey socks/inline cover pants).
More positively, the local leagues are starting up. Adelaide Adrenaline off to a late start in the AIHL, A Grade at the Ice Arena already played a round of games before the school break. Vikings registration for the winter season (terms 2 and 3 of the school year) is this coming weekend, games and presumably training probably commence the week following.
Ice Academy and Skating classes also begin this week. I won't be able to get to the Academy this week, but might as well pay for it at next opportunity. Might as well pay for B's classes at the same time (thanks, Uncle George and Aunty Ester). And IHSA membership (so I can play in Shinnies). And fees for the coming Vikings season with the small change.
Even with all of the equipment, not much change from a thousand dollars to play a couple seasons of ice hockey. About a quarter of that for inline. At least the gear is interchangeable between the sports at the level I play at (except the skates, of course, and (practically speaking) the hockey pants, along with ice hockey socks/inline cover pants).
Sunday 27 April 2014
Sunday Arvo Stickhandling
As I went to the Ice Arena yesterday I had this afternoon free. So, I went back down to the Klemzig Station O-Bahn carpark for a PT session. Around 20C, fine, light breeze. Port Power was playing in town at Adelaide Oval (national aussie rules footy team) so I thought there was a chance that there'd be more than a few cars in the carpark. I thought it was a safe bet that, even if there were, they wouldn't fill it to capacity and I'd be able to work something out. As it turned out, no more than six cars across a couple hectares of ashphalt so I was able to go to my corner and go for it.
Today, more concentrated drills than on Friday, all focused primarily on stick handling and carrying the puck. I shortened my 'track' to nine parking bays long, the width of each bay being about 2.5 metres. Each bay is about 5m deep. There are two rows of such bays, painted onto the ashphalt, with the centre line running down the spine being transected by a 25x10m at right angles and with their midpoints on the main line. The 25 perpendicular lines are each 10m long, 5m each side of the main line. For what that's worth.
I skated 4 sets of 9 each way, 2 x puck on the inside, 2 x puck on the outside, slaloming around the points of the transecting lines. At the 9th bay, I turned around and did it all the way back again. Thus, inside puck going left and right in alternating turns means alternating forehand and backhand. Then I did one high speed puckless circuit the whole length of 25 bays, leading with the stick into each corner in the slalom I did between every second set of bays. Then I returned to my short track and did a set of forehand carries through the slalom, followed by one of backhands. Concluded with two return sets of alternating forehand (inside) forehand (outside) backhand (outside) forehand (inside). Mixed it up with a few alternating heel to heel corners/puck protections just to lighten things up. On the way home I concentrated on obtaining power in my stride through lowering my posture (ie bending the knees further, trying to become the lowest thing on the road).
Total distance, between 5 and 6 km. Gone about an hour.
This might be my last free skate training for a couple weeks. Here's hoping that the 'off season' shooting and stickhandling sessions I've had have been sufficient to leave their imprint on my play this coming season. Though, then again, when drove past the carpark tonight I noticed how empty and how lit it up it is. This would probably be okay for a night time skate if I'm ever that keen/desperate.
Today, more concentrated drills than on Friday, all focused primarily on stick handling and carrying the puck. I shortened my 'track' to nine parking bays long, the width of each bay being about 2.5 metres. Each bay is about 5m deep. There are two rows of such bays, painted onto the ashphalt, with the centre line running down the spine being transected by a 25x10m at right angles and with their midpoints on the main line. The 25 perpendicular lines are each 10m long, 5m each side of the main line. For what that's worth.
I skated 4 sets of 9 each way, 2 x puck on the inside, 2 x puck on the outside, slaloming around the points of the transecting lines. At the 9th bay, I turned around and did it all the way back again. Thus, inside puck going left and right in alternating turns means alternating forehand and backhand. Then I did one high speed puckless circuit the whole length of 25 bays, leading with the stick into each corner in the slalom I did between every second set of bays. Then I returned to my short track and did a set of forehand carries through the slalom, followed by one of backhands. Concluded with two return sets of alternating forehand (inside) forehand (outside) backhand (outside) forehand (inside). Mixed it up with a few alternating heel to heel corners/puck protections just to lighten things up. On the way home I concentrated on obtaining power in my stride through lowering my posture (ie bending the knees further, trying to become the lowest thing on the road).
Total distance, between 5 and 6 km. Gone about an hour.
This might be my last free skate training for a couple weeks. Here's hoping that the 'off season' shooting and stickhandling sessions I've had have been sufficient to leave their imprint on my play this coming season. Though, then again, when drove past the carpark tonight I noticed how empty and how lit it up it is. This would probably be okay for a night time skate if I'm ever that keen/desperate.
Splay Footed Open Hipped Heel to Heels
For wont of anything better, I've used the terms 'splay footed' and 'open hipped' in past to describe what I've recently learned to refer to as a 'heel to heel' maneuver. Heel to heel, after all, conveys the visual impression and core alignment associated with this useful skating move. Although I've heard the term before, it's only when reading this article by Dianne Ness at Let's Play Hockey that I made the connection between it and what I was trying to do.
So, guess what I'll be drilling later today when I go for a skate?!
So, guess what I'll be drilling later today when I go for a skate?!
Three E's - No Parades No Funerals
Effort, Execution, Emotion. The Big E's in any game, but particularly those in which the Expectations are high. For example, finals. Other examples; I've played two 'first games' (ie in ice and inline hockey), a 'must win' regular season ice game, elimination, semi and grand finals in inline. All of these games had a high level of potential angst associated with them.
And yet, it wasn't any of these landmark games that created the most anxiety in me. No, that honour goes to another game on the ice, one which I can't even place in terms of against which opponent, at least partly due the mental fade out which I suffered as a result of failing the three E's game. My second game, the only game I've played where I came away unhappy.
My first game had gone off okay as first games go, me not having a clue about what to do and just being totally bombarded with sensory impacts and a rising tide of decisions. Resultant effect, I kept falling down (and getting up again). Luckily, me and my team, coach, audience (missus) were all expecting nothing less, so it was all good fun. The pre-game nerves were a part of the whole thing, of the quality of a fool jumping off a cliff. All good, in other words.
My second game, however, was presaged with a week of mentally rehearsing the simple positional instructions I had decided I needed to learn if I was to contribute in any meaningful way to my team, every day and at every opportunity I had (eg. quiet time in the morning, walking to the bus stop, bus trip, idle minutes at work, lunch 'hour', in the evening).
So, although the basic positional requirements were well and truly implanted by the time I got to the game, I was a nervous wreck. I think this goes a lot with the fact that there were Expectations associated with the visualisations I had immersed myself at an existential level. These were not just idle thoughts or dreams, but a plan and a blueprint and an instruction and a program. Which of course led to the anxiety when the ideal world considered the fact that I still didn't really have a clue what I was doing out there.
So, by the time I got to the ice, my brain was tired and my nerves were too busy getting over their stress to do what you need them to do in a game. Which led to reduced execution of the basics. Which started to have its own impact on both emotion (disappointment as I became further and further incapable of achieving what was so clear in my mind) as well as effort (ended up being the game with least ice time all season). Big lesson.
No Funerals, No Parades.
Inspired by Kim McCullough at Let's Play Hockey.
And yet, it wasn't any of these landmark games that created the most anxiety in me. No, that honour goes to another game on the ice, one which I can't even place in terms of against which opponent, at least partly due the mental fade out which I suffered as a result of failing the three E's game. My second game, the only game I've played where I came away unhappy.
My first game had gone off okay as first games go, me not having a clue about what to do and just being totally bombarded with sensory impacts and a rising tide of decisions. Resultant effect, I kept falling down (and getting up again). Luckily, me and my team, coach, audience (missus) were all expecting nothing less, so it was all good fun. The pre-game nerves were a part of the whole thing, of the quality of a fool jumping off a cliff. All good, in other words.
My second game, however, was presaged with a week of mentally rehearsing the simple positional instructions I had decided I needed to learn if I was to contribute in any meaningful way to my team, every day and at every opportunity I had (eg. quiet time in the morning, walking to the bus stop, bus trip, idle minutes at work, lunch 'hour', in the evening).
So, although the basic positional requirements were well and truly implanted by the time I got to the game, I was a nervous wreck. I think this goes a lot with the fact that there were Expectations associated with the visualisations I had immersed myself at an existential level. These were not just idle thoughts or dreams, but a plan and a blueprint and an instruction and a program. Which of course led to the anxiety when the ideal world considered the fact that I still didn't really have a clue what I was doing out there.
So, by the time I got to the ice, my brain was tired and my nerves were too busy getting over their stress to do what you need them to do in a game. Which led to reduced execution of the basics. Which started to have its own impact on both emotion (disappointment as I became further and further incapable of achieving what was so clear in my mind) as well as effort (ended up being the game with least ice time all season). Big lesson.
No Funerals, No Parades.
Inspired by Kim McCullough at Let's Play Hockey.
Saturday 26 April 2014
Saturday at the Arena
Me and B (9) went to the Ice Arena this afternoon for a couple of hours.
It was perhaps more crowded than usual for a Saturday, but that might have been due the sixty or so extra skaters from Camp Quality (a holiday program for children suffering from serious disabilities/illnesses, and their siblings and parents/carers). In any event, between keeping my eye on B and watching out for errant overconfident children falling over in front of me, it was a relatively gentle skate session. More an emphasis on agility rather than power.
As for Blake, he hadn't skated for TWO WEEKS and so was a bit wobbly for the first nano second or so, but he found his feet and was soon working on his snow plough and hockey stops, backwards swizzles, slaloms and forward crossovers. He has developed what can be fairly described as a 'limping' motion on this last (my eye was attuned to it after having read the term in my copy of Steps to Ice Skating Success yesterday), but I didn't say anything as he'll be back at lessons this week. Apart from that, no obvious bad habits seem to have developed and he's looking forward to getting to 'Novice 2' level, and maybe Intermediate 1, this winter.
We had a chat later, will try to slot him into some sort of Ice Hockey program for kids (eg. Ice Blast) once he's got the hockey stop under control. A little exposure to the game is probably warranted before then. It's cool to share the passion.
What doubly impressed me was that, after a soliloquy about whether to get ice skates or a lizard (!) for his birthday, he told me how his older brother, J (11) is cool to not do the skating lessons this term as it's 'not for him' and that he's offered B the use of his hockey stick - and will even give it to him if he takes up the sport. Which is pretty big of them both.
Makes you wanna go Awwww.
It was perhaps more crowded than usual for a Saturday, but that might have been due the sixty or so extra skaters from Camp Quality (a holiday program for children suffering from serious disabilities/illnesses, and their siblings and parents/carers). In any event, between keeping my eye on B and watching out for errant overconfident children falling over in front of me, it was a relatively gentle skate session. More an emphasis on agility rather than power.
As for Blake, he hadn't skated for TWO WEEKS and so was a bit wobbly for the first nano second or so, but he found his feet and was soon working on his snow plough and hockey stops, backwards swizzles, slaloms and forward crossovers. He has developed what can be fairly described as a 'limping' motion on this last (my eye was attuned to it after having read the term in my copy of Steps to Ice Skating Success yesterday), but I didn't say anything as he'll be back at lessons this week. Apart from that, no obvious bad habits seem to have developed and he's looking forward to getting to 'Novice 2' level, and maybe Intermediate 1, this winter.
We had a chat later, will try to slot him into some sort of Ice Hockey program for kids (eg. Ice Blast) once he's got the hockey stop under control. A little exposure to the game is probably warranted before then. It's cool to share the passion.
What doubly impressed me was that, after a soliloquy about whether to get ice skates or a lizard (!) for his birthday, he told me how his older brother, J (11) is cool to not do the skating lessons this term as it's 'not for him' and that he's offered B the use of his hockey stick - and will even give it to him if he takes up the sport. Which is pretty big of them both.
Makes you wanna go Awwww.
Friday 25 April 2014
Skate Scout
On Wednesday Night, driving to the Ice Arena, we passed by my usual shooting court down at the local primary school. My aim was to see it with no moon and under flood lights, decide if it is feasible to come here for some night shooting practice. The answer to the question is 'yes', there is sufficient light. But the answer is academic because the court is presently covered in piles of dirt and rubble from the neighboring construction of new class rooms (and I suspect the ashphalt will be all torn up also). So, time to find a new location for those times when I am able to get some stick'n'puck time in.
By this morning I had worked out three or four possibilities that I could think of within about a kilometre and without too big a hill to scale. So, I went for a skate to check them out. Two of them were no good (a particular stretch of river path (not wide enough) and a church carpark (locked, and crap tar anyway). But the third (nearby new carpark for the Klemzig O-bahn bus station) was practically empty of cars whenever checked outside of the work-a-day week and pretty smooth.
So, I returned in the afternoon with puck and stick and spent almost an hour with deke's and turns while carrying the puck up and back a line of 25 parking bays, four sets, forehand/backhand and inside/outside (ie deking FH to BH and vice versa for these last two). If I get a few sessions like this under my belt before the return to competition, I'll have worked on the third main area of my playing in dynamic settings and hopefully have pushed the profficiency as much as that many sessions' shooting time did for my shooting.
On the return journey, had a bit of a chat with a couple other skaters I met going the other way on the river path. He had spent enough time near St Louis to have an accent and was quite willing to talk hockey after breaking the ice by commenting on my Canucks sweater. She had a brand new pair of skates for the beginning of her quest to play roller hockey. And then it was get home.
Total of about 7km skating today, low 20s, light cloud.
By this morning I had worked out three or four possibilities that I could think of within about a kilometre and without too big a hill to scale. So, I went for a skate to check them out. Two of them were no good (a particular stretch of river path (not wide enough) and a church carpark (locked, and crap tar anyway). But the third (nearby new carpark for the Klemzig O-bahn bus station) was practically empty of cars whenever checked outside of the work-a-day week and pretty smooth.
So, I returned in the afternoon with puck and stick and spent almost an hour with deke's and turns while carrying the puck up and back a line of 25 parking bays, four sets, forehand/backhand and inside/outside (ie deking FH to BH and vice versa for these last two). If I get a few sessions like this under my belt before the return to competition, I'll have worked on the third main area of my playing in dynamic settings and hopefully have pushed the profficiency as much as that many sessions' shooting time did for my shooting.
On the return journey, had a bit of a chat with a couple other skaters I met going the other way on the river path. He had spent enough time near St Louis to have an accent and was quite willing to talk hockey after breaking the ice by commenting on my Canucks sweater. She had a brand new pair of skates for the beginning of her quest to play roller hockey. And then it was get home.
Total of about 7km skating today, low 20s, light cloud.
League Update - Vikings
Vikings Inline Hockey Winter Season divisions and Teams have been announced. They have restructured the senior grades, renaming C Grade to Division 2, B Grade to Division 1, and A Grade to Premier. The Premier Division now features only two teams, who will play each other at regular time on Saturdays (5:45pm), with teams being mixed up at the half way point and do it all again. First Division has expanded to six teams. Second remains unchanged with four teams.
Looking at the team lists, I remain on the Wheelers, along with Brenton and Merrilyn Pfeifer and our Goalie, Matt Vickery. We lost the two Dylans to the Reapers in First Div, and Malcolm Bedell to join his goalie wife in the Bumpers. We gain Alex Alvarez from the Shufflers (a fellow rookie last season with whom I get along well) and Matthew Perriman (unknown factor).
Looking at other teams, Alun Gallie has gone up a division from the Shufflers' goal, as have Donna Aldridge and Jonathon Platton from the Rockers to the Roosters (along with the Rockers' goalie). The sole bright light for last season's Bumpers has gone entirely from the lists (suspect she is concentrating on ice this winter), although they have improved hugely as players and as a team from when I first saw them.
Overall, the organisers appear to be developing the League itself, with a wide band of talent coming up through the ranks and consequent expansion of First Division. Second Division appears more balanced than last season, with no known superstars (barring any unexpected rookie talent). I'm quite glad that Alex has joined the Wheelers, I have a feeling we'll make a neat pairing. I'm a little sad that Donna has moved up from the Rockers, I enjoyed the physical matchup she offered.
Game schedules are to be released shortly, hopefully commence the week after next.
Looking at the team lists, I remain on the Wheelers, along with Brenton and Merrilyn Pfeifer and our Goalie, Matt Vickery. We lost the two Dylans to the Reapers in First Div, and Malcolm Bedell to join his goalie wife in the Bumpers. We gain Alex Alvarez from the Shufflers (a fellow rookie last season with whom I get along well) and Matthew Perriman (unknown factor).
Looking at other teams, Alun Gallie has gone up a division from the Shufflers' goal, as have Donna Aldridge and Jonathon Platton from the Rockers to the Roosters (along with the Rockers' goalie). The sole bright light for last season's Bumpers has gone entirely from the lists (suspect she is concentrating on ice this winter), although they have improved hugely as players and as a team from when I first saw them.
Overall, the organisers appear to be developing the League itself, with a wide band of talent coming up through the ranks and consequent expansion of First Division. Second Division appears more balanced than last season, with no known superstars (barring any unexpected rookie talent). I'm quite glad that Alex has joined the Wheelers, I have a feeling we'll make a neat pairing. I'm a little sad that Donna has moved up from the Rockers, I enjoyed the physical matchup she offered.
Game schedules are to be released shortly, hopefully commence the week after next.
Clan Skating Session(s)
On Wednesday night I took Wayne to the Ice Arena for a large ice session. Jess and Craig joined us there. It was pretty good to be doing something I enjoy with people to whom I am close to, to share the time with them in a shared activity. And of course, I enjoy my Wednesday sessions for their own sake.
Last night the feeling on the ice was a bit more 'experimental' than it had been the previous week. Perhaps that's due a few more hockey players doing circuits. In any event, it was still pretty light hearted amongst the skaters. I know I skated a bit more playfully than usual. Starting to make progress on the backwards outside edge, under cut 'c's (with already noticeable effect on my cross unders). Also, in my 'corner time' I am finally starting to do three turns off either foot in either direction off something more than a standing start by the boards. Which is progress.
But the highlight to me of the evening was the people I had brought with me. Wayne, analysing and experimenting with moves far beyond him, Jess with her natural grace, Craig enquiring how much it would cost to get a pair of skates.
I stayed on the ice about two hours, the others maybe one. I wonder how their cores were today?
*
As to the younger clan members, had a phone call from B today as he is somewhere on the inland track from the east mid-coast, wondering if we might perhaps go skating on Saturday night (he's back tomorrow). Too which I said 'maybe', having not been to a Saturday night session for ages. I'll confirm with him on Saturday morning (maybe we could attend for the first couple hours of what is basically a mass teen event).
When I asked B, "why Saturday Night, much more crowded than Sunday?" his response was most excellent, "because I haven't been skating for TWO WEEKS! Like, that's TWO WEEKS I haven't been skating!"
What can you say to that?
Last night the feeling on the ice was a bit more 'experimental' than it had been the previous week. Perhaps that's due a few more hockey players doing circuits. In any event, it was still pretty light hearted amongst the skaters. I know I skated a bit more playfully than usual. Starting to make progress on the backwards outside edge, under cut 'c's (with already noticeable effect on my cross unders). Also, in my 'corner time' I am finally starting to do three turns off either foot in either direction off something more than a standing start by the boards. Which is progress.
But the highlight to me of the evening was the people I had brought with me. Wayne, analysing and experimenting with moves far beyond him, Jess with her natural grace, Craig enquiring how much it would cost to get a pair of skates.
I stayed on the ice about two hours, the others maybe one. I wonder how their cores were today?
*
As to the younger clan members, had a phone call from B today as he is somewhere on the inland track from the east mid-coast, wondering if we might perhaps go skating on Saturday night (he's back tomorrow). Too which I said 'maybe', having not been to a Saturday night session for ages. I'll confirm with him on Saturday morning (maybe we could attend for the first couple hours of what is basically a mass teen event).
When I asked B, "why Saturday Night, much more crowded than Sunday?" his response was most excellent, "because I haven't been skating for TWO WEEKS! Like, that's TWO WEEKS I haven't been skating!"
What can you say to that?
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Game Changer
Getting home from work this evening I noticed that the sun is not far from sinking by the time I get there. Soon it'll be dark by the time I walk in the gate. No afterwork skating for a few months now. Sigh.
Maybe to make up for it, maybe because I had the house to myself, I watched two recorded games of NHL ice hockey. The first, a late season game featuring the Minnesota Wild defeating the St Louis Blues (both these teams in the present playoff round). Admire the courage of Curry, the Wild's goal tender in only his fifth game in years, as he fronted sixty good shots at goal (over forty being 'on' goal) and several milling pileups of bodies, skates and flashing sticks. Then it was the first game of the round 1 Rangers v Flyers series (Rangers win 4-2) where the New York home crowd sounded one of the most engaging I've heard all season.
Finally, sated, I listen to some guy on the radio talking about 'motivation', with a fair degree of societal futurism thrown in. And, after a while, I realise that behind his condescendingly cool intellectualism were a few kernels of wisdom. Neat aphorisms such as 'make progress visible' (to positively generate an inward strategic motivation) and 'enjoy the ride' (with scientific proof that the 'enjoy the ride' group rode more often and achieved their 'rewards' sooner than those who rode to achieve a 'goal'). An articulation, indeed, of the 'meta' that characterises my best personal training sessions.
The trick now? Build it into the drill (or even, into the stage of drill formation). Example: in the sets I drilled last night, half of them involved a back hand pick up, curl with puck on inside or outside, forehand shot at goal, and thus the necessary deke from backhand to forehand (often during the turn itself). Now, into each of these various elements can be injected additional degrees of disciple in training (eg. when deking from backhand to forehand on an inside turn, work on the deceptive qualities of puck appeariing to go one way and the body another - much as platton did in the C Grade final at Gawler (and every other game he played)).
Increased skating versatility generally is quite noticeable, as is (to a slightly lesser degree) agility with stick'n'puck by the end of the session if a specific skill is concentrated on for a drill or three. As I enjoy skating, it is easy for me to 'enjoy the ride'. Separation of the concept of 'practice' from 'training' might be occasionally useful also, with perhaps 'practice' being more oriented to fun, decisions, challenges, training more towards technique, skill and movement. In every training session should be practice/play, and in every play/practice session, training.
And through it all, training and practice in making decisions (the high level skill in any sport, especially such a fast team sport as hockey).
But, that's be another post.
The guy on the radio, btw, was James Fox, author of 'The Game Changer'. He was being interviewed by Tony Delroy on 'The Night Show' on ABC Radio.
Maybe to make up for it, maybe because I had the house to myself, I watched two recorded games of NHL ice hockey. The first, a late season game featuring the Minnesota Wild defeating the St Louis Blues (both these teams in the present playoff round). Admire the courage of Curry, the Wild's goal tender in only his fifth game in years, as he fronted sixty good shots at goal (over forty being 'on' goal) and several milling pileups of bodies, skates and flashing sticks. Then it was the first game of the round 1 Rangers v Flyers series (Rangers win 4-2) where the New York home crowd sounded one of the most engaging I've heard all season.
Finally, sated, I listen to some guy on the radio talking about 'motivation', with a fair degree of societal futurism thrown in. And, after a while, I realise that behind his condescendingly cool intellectualism were a few kernels of wisdom. Neat aphorisms such as 'make progress visible' (to positively generate an inward strategic motivation) and 'enjoy the ride' (with scientific proof that the 'enjoy the ride' group rode more often and achieved their 'rewards' sooner than those who rode to achieve a 'goal'). An articulation, indeed, of the 'meta' that characterises my best personal training sessions.
The trick now? Build it into the drill (or even, into the stage of drill formation). Example: in the sets I drilled last night, half of them involved a back hand pick up, curl with puck on inside or outside, forehand shot at goal, and thus the necessary deke from backhand to forehand (often during the turn itself). Now, into each of these various elements can be injected additional degrees of disciple in training (eg. when deking from backhand to forehand on an inside turn, work on the deceptive qualities of puck appeariing to go one way and the body another - much as platton did in the C Grade final at Gawler (and every other game he played)).
Increased skating versatility generally is quite noticeable, as is (to a slightly lesser degree) agility with stick'n'puck by the end of the session if a specific skill is concentrated on for a drill or three. As I enjoy skating, it is easy for me to 'enjoy the ride'. Separation of the concept of 'practice' from 'training' might be occasionally useful also, with perhaps 'practice' being more oriented to fun, decisions, challenges, training more towards technique, skill and movement. In every training session should be practice/play, and in every play/practice session, training.
And through it all, training and practice in making decisions (the high level skill in any sport, especially such a fast team sport as hockey).
But, that's be another post.
The guy on the radio, btw, was James Fox, author of 'The Game Changer'. He was being interviewed by Tony Delroy on 'The Night Show' on ABC Radio.
Monday 21 April 2014
Monday Block Shoot
I took advantage of it being Easter Monday today and went for some inline shooting drills at my nearby primary school on my new wheels. Temp was about 28'C, warmest it's been for almost a month, humidity about 27%. Clouds and late afternoon autumn sun. Fallen leaves my main litter issue on the court.
Dynamic shooting was kept simple, in sets of five, skating out from the goal circle, picking up a puck in the zone on forehand/backhand on the left/right side of the court, curling in around the centre of the blue line, and having puck on forehand as crossed back into the offensive zone and settled in for a shot at the circle (15'). Keeping to these combinations I shot the following (relatively poor) percentages (strike - rebound - strike & rebound on same play): 6-5-1, 6-3-1, 6-4-2, 5-2-0. An aggregate of 23-14-4. A shot/rebound percentage of 33%.
For my static shooting, results were also lower than my other most recent efforts, being 4, 5, 6 and 4 (for snap, wrist shot, forward facing snap and backhand respectively). A percentage of only 19%.
Not disheartened, recognising the enervating effect of the weather and the long day sitting down yesterday combined with the lack of variety and creative evolution in the design of the drills I did, and the resultant corresponding lethargy of mind for what it was.
83 strokes up the hill to home.
Dynamic shooting was kept simple, in sets of five, skating out from the goal circle, picking up a puck in the zone on forehand/backhand on the left/right side of the court, curling in around the centre of the blue line, and having puck on forehand as crossed back into the offensive zone and settled in for a shot at the circle (15'). Keeping to these combinations I shot the following (relatively poor) percentages (strike - rebound - strike & rebound on same play): 6-5-1, 6-3-1, 6-4-2, 5-2-0. An aggregate of 23-14-4. A shot/rebound percentage of 33%.
For my static shooting, results were also lower than my other most recent efforts, being 4, 5, 6 and 4 (for snap, wrist shot, forward facing snap and backhand respectively). A percentage of only 19%.
Not disheartened, recognising the enervating effect of the weather and the long day sitting down yesterday combined with the lack of variety and creative evolution in the design of the drills I did, and the resultant corresponding lethargy of mind for what it was.
83 strokes up the hill to home.
Skating with A at Quorn
I spent the Easter Weekend up in Quorn, in the lower reaches of the Flinders Ranges about four hours north of home. The place we stayed at was a couple hundred metres from the town's tennis courts, probably the only piece of ashphalt suitable for skating for at least 30km in any direction. Knowing this, I took my inlines with me, along with a scooter for my skate mate, A (4). We got our chance on Saturday afternoon after an already busy day, so went and put on our 'gloves' (wrist protectors) and took the town's one main sidewalk along the main street to the courts.
We'd gotten A a red Razor scooter for xmas and, even though it is still a tiny bit big for him, he loves it. This to change up from the toy 'Thomas' scooter he'd been given for his fourth birthday by a family friend (still an old favorite if you just want take it easy and listen to (Thomas) music of an evening scooter skate). He gets intense pleasure at pushing himself along at speed and keeping his balance. Though often ending up in a tumble when he looks up to check his audience caught the glory he is definitely improving. And knows it.
Usually we'll wear knee and wrist protectors, elbow guards in A's case, and our helmets. On this occasion we satisfied ourselves with wrist protectors only because we weren't going far, there were no slopes let alone hills (ironic, considering we're in the middle of one of South Australia's most hilly landscapes) and we were on holidays. A accepted this with good grace (he usually likes wearing all the armour he can) and I hoped the risks were worth it. The meta-lesson, sometimes you can just relax the 'normal' rules you live by as long as you continue to use your head.
Getting to and from the courts involved navigating a hundred metres of concrete footpath complete with an inch wide canyon of a crack running down the middle for its entire length, a similar length of footpath made from ancient tar that was smooth beneath it's thin surface of fine scree, the 'white dolamite' roadside verge, and the ashphalt main road itself. The crack in the footpath brought A down a couple times when his wheel caught in it, and almost brought me down too. The tennis courts themselves were four in number side by side and reasonably smooth for country tennis courts. Their nets were still up. Only a few patches of dirt turning to dust along them, and practically no litter/stonees/bark/twigs/etc. Well maintained. Lucky. So in the late afternoon we entertained ourselves for a few minutes, me doing a few figure eights and transitions (intensely aware that I had no knee pads on) and A going for balance at speed.
Being boys, it didn't take long for us to start a competition. We'd race the entire width of the four courts, taking turns to count it down. A'd go for straight line speed on his side of the nets, and I'd do a looping slalom in different configurations (eg. forwards, backwards, transitioning on the apex) up mine. It took a little convincing for him to agree to me not going for a straight line speed skate, but he had the good grace to agree when realised that I was handicapping myself not as an insult to him, but to even up our technical differences (he's a proud one). He went over two or three times in our four or five races, usually because he was laughing to hard with the excitement of looking to see where I was as he raced along and realising that it was really close or that he was winning near the end. Each time, he was back on his feet and racing as soon as realised that wasn't hurt beyond the immediate shock. Good stuff.
Apparently our score was 2 all at the end as, both satisfied and one of us with a few more bruises, we called it a good evening and skated back to our hotel before the sun set.
We'd gotten A a red Razor scooter for xmas and, even though it is still a tiny bit big for him, he loves it. This to change up from the toy 'Thomas' scooter he'd been given for his fourth birthday by a family friend (still an old favorite if you just want take it easy and listen to (Thomas) music of an evening scooter skate). He gets intense pleasure at pushing himself along at speed and keeping his balance. Though often ending up in a tumble when he looks up to check his audience caught the glory he is definitely improving. And knows it.
Usually we'll wear knee and wrist protectors, elbow guards in A's case, and our helmets. On this occasion we satisfied ourselves with wrist protectors only because we weren't going far, there were no slopes let alone hills (ironic, considering we're in the middle of one of South Australia's most hilly landscapes) and we were on holidays. A accepted this with good grace (he usually likes wearing all the armour he can) and I hoped the risks were worth it. The meta-lesson, sometimes you can just relax the 'normal' rules you live by as long as you continue to use your head.
Getting to and from the courts involved navigating a hundred metres of concrete footpath complete with an inch wide canyon of a crack running down the middle for its entire length, a similar length of footpath made from ancient tar that was smooth beneath it's thin surface of fine scree, the 'white dolamite' roadside verge, and the ashphalt main road itself. The crack in the footpath brought A down a couple times when his wheel caught in it, and almost brought me down too. The tennis courts themselves were four in number side by side and reasonably smooth for country tennis courts. Their nets were still up. Only a few patches of dirt turning to dust along them, and practically no litter/stonees/bark/twigs/etc. Well maintained. Lucky. So in the late afternoon we entertained ourselves for a few minutes, me doing a few figure eights and transitions (intensely aware that I had no knee pads on) and A going for balance at speed.
Being boys, it didn't take long for us to start a competition. We'd race the entire width of the four courts, taking turns to count it down. A'd go for straight line speed on his side of the nets, and I'd do a looping slalom in different configurations (eg. forwards, backwards, transitioning on the apex) up mine. It took a little convincing for him to agree to me not going for a straight line speed skate, but he had the good grace to agree when realised that I was handicapping myself not as an insult to him, but to even up our technical differences (he's a proud one). He went over two or three times in our four or five races, usually because he was laughing to hard with the excitement of looking to see where I was as he raced along and realising that it was really close or that he was winning near the end. Each time, he was back on his feet and racing as soon as realised that wasn't hurt beyond the immediate shock. Good stuff.
Apparently our score was 2 all at the end as, both satisfied and one of us with a few more bruises, we called it a good evening and skated back to our hotel before the sun set.
Thursday 17 April 2014
Shooting under lights on my new wheels
This evening I had opportunity to get home a few minutes early and be skating out the front gate at about the time I'd normally be walking in through it. So I put on my rewheeled Bauers, noticing that they are beginning to carry scars like my ice skates and gathered my gear and headed off. I noticed the increase in speed from the new wheels. Part of it would have been due simply to the larger diameters of the wheels, perhaps the fact the rear wheels were harder than previously also counted, part of it would be that there was less noise coming from my wheel assemblies (bearings and wheels) than there'd been in the old set.
Getting to the school, I did a few figure eights and transitions to get myself organised, thought that I was much more uncertain in my movements on these wheels than previously, lined up my pucks, and got into four sets of 25 dynamic shots. All were taken on the forehand at 15' or greater, gliding in towards the goal. The first two sets were curling in from either side to pick up puck at start of glide to the 15' line while gazing at the target. On the third set I picked up the puck on the way out from the goal, looped around in a simple turn while carrying the puck, glided in. On the final set I picked up puck on way out from goal, and then free formed with dekes, backhand turns, figure eights as I looped back and glided in for the shot.
Results were reasonable:10-2-0, 9-3-0, 9-2-0, 9-1-0. That's a shooting percent of 37%, 45% including rebounds. Never quite hit the zone. Did the last set under an amazing sunset.
Was getting dark when I did 100 static shots from 15'. 25 each of Snap, Wrist, Facing and Backhand. Worked within the structure of the five elements breath, stance, weight, point (wrist snap), power. Did the last set basically with no light beyond that of the floodlights. Was fine unless my shadow was in the way (ie doing backhands with the floodlight directly behind one). Results: 8-5-11-6 (30%).
Satisfied, I did a few quick turns, backwards eights etc as I cooled down from my shooting session and prepared myself for the skate up the hill to home. I noticed that I had quite a bit of power and control on the new wheels now. Presumably my fine-tuning of basic skills has adjusted itself as I concentrated on shooting. In other words, seemed quite fine (although still a little disarticulated). On the skate up the hill I noticed that my stride was more fluid and the the 'glide' part of each stride was losing less momentum than had been the case on the worn and smoother wheels. It only took 73 strides up the hill.
Nice wheels.
Getting to the school, I did a few figure eights and transitions to get myself organised, thought that I was much more uncertain in my movements on these wheels than previously, lined up my pucks, and got into four sets of 25 dynamic shots. All were taken on the forehand at 15' or greater, gliding in towards the goal. The first two sets were curling in from either side to pick up puck at start of glide to the 15' line while gazing at the target. On the third set I picked up the puck on the way out from the goal, looped around in a simple turn while carrying the puck, glided in. On the final set I picked up puck on way out from goal, and then free formed with dekes, backhand turns, figure eights as I looped back and glided in for the shot.
Results were reasonable:10-2-0, 9-3-0, 9-2-0, 9-1-0. That's a shooting percent of 37%, 45% including rebounds. Never quite hit the zone. Did the last set under an amazing sunset.
Was getting dark when I did 100 static shots from 15'. 25 each of Snap, Wrist, Facing and Backhand. Worked within the structure of the five elements breath, stance, weight, point (wrist snap), power. Did the last set basically with no light beyond that of the floodlights. Was fine unless my shadow was in the way (ie doing backhands with the floodlight directly behind one). Results: 8-5-11-6 (30%).
Satisfied, I did a few quick turns, backwards eights etc as I cooled down from my shooting session and prepared myself for the skate up the hill to home. I noticed that I had quite a bit of power and control on the new wheels now. Presumably my fine-tuning of basic skills has adjusted itself as I concentrated on shooting. In other words, seemed quite fine (although still a little disarticulated). On the skate up the hill I noticed that my stride was more fluid and the the 'glide' part of each stride was losing less momentum than had been the case on the worn and smoother wheels. It only took 73 strides up the hill.
Nice wheels.
Big Ice Wednesday Night
Having got my wheels (previous post) I headed into the building and put on my ice skates and headed out to the big ice for a couple hours public session to classic hits from the 50's to the 80's by Steve the DJ. He's been doing this for over thirty years and is a nice guy.
It was good to be on the big ice again on Wednesday. Ice Hockey takes its Easter break, we get off of the small ice. Which left the small ice for the beginners, as it should be. And on the big ice, what would have been a crowd on the small was scattered over the larger area leaving the ice relatively empty and open for the entertainment and use of the skaters who were there.
Which, as always, was composed of quite a few familiar faces, some of whom have names, and always the pleasure of watching new comers who had all degrees of skill from tyro to veteran. To good music. With a couple hours with nothing else to concentrate on except for the experience of the ice.
I've often said that the standard of skaters can be highest on Wednesday nights, and so it again proved. So I was able to play around and just be relaxed as I did so, pushing it but not stressing. The techniques I continued to work on were the open hipped splay footed turn (learned on inline) and the backwards inside-C cutting drill (one that works on the 'cross under' to generate greater power when traveling backwards). I also had another go at 'three turns' (one footed pivot transition) and seemed to have progressed in the art to the point that some of it is sublimating in my muscles.
Finally, a neat trick I saw a figure skater do in an idle moment and just immediately had to try it myself, whereby one turns either left or right on both skates but in which one does it with the outside skate leading into the turn rather than the usual inside skate. Uses of this trick could be everything from preparing for a pushed acceleration into reverse direction to outright deception. Surprisingly, if use the edges right, it's not much less stable than a 'regular' hockey turn. Will add this to the list of things to play with in future sessions.
I didn't push myself at maximum intensity, leaving more room for playfulness to come through in my skating. It seemed to fit well with the vibe of the evening, as throughout the night everyone seemed to be having fun, and 80% of more of them were getting at least some of their joy from learning stuff through 'playing around'. It's quite a liberating environment.
Which is a reason why I reckon I might go fortnightly to inline training if I can know that I'll have the big ice to be on.
It was good to be on the big ice again on Wednesday. Ice Hockey takes its Easter break, we get off of the small ice. Which left the small ice for the beginners, as it should be. And on the big ice, what would have been a crowd on the small was scattered over the larger area leaving the ice relatively empty and open for the entertainment and use of the skaters who were there.
Which, as always, was composed of quite a few familiar faces, some of whom have names, and always the pleasure of watching new comers who had all degrees of skill from tyro to veteran. To good music. With a couple hours with nothing else to concentrate on except for the experience of the ice.
I've often said that the standard of skaters can be highest on Wednesday nights, and so it again proved. So I was able to play around and just be relaxed as I did so, pushing it but not stressing. The techniques I continued to work on were the open hipped splay footed turn (learned on inline) and the backwards inside-C cutting drill (one that works on the 'cross under' to generate greater power when traveling backwards). I also had another go at 'three turns' (one footed pivot transition) and seemed to have progressed in the art to the point that some of it is sublimating in my muscles.
Finally, a neat trick I saw a figure skater do in an idle moment and just immediately had to try it myself, whereby one turns either left or right on both skates but in which one does it with the outside skate leading into the turn rather than the usual inside skate. Uses of this trick could be everything from preparing for a pushed acceleration into reverse direction to outright deception. Surprisingly, if use the edges right, it's not much less stable than a 'regular' hockey turn. Will add this to the list of things to play with in future sessions.
I didn't push myself at maximum intensity, leaving more room for playfulness to come through in my skating. It seemed to fit well with the vibe of the evening, as throughout the night everyone seemed to be having fun, and 80% of more of them were getting at least some of their joy from learning stuff through 'playing around'. It's quite a liberating environment.
Which is a reason why I reckon I might go fortnightly to inline training if I can know that I'll have the big ice to be on.
New Wheels!
As you may recall, I've worn down my inline skates' original Hi-Lo Indoor Outdoor wheels almost to their rims. It got to the point after the weekend that the front wheels (originally the rearmost) were down to half their original diameter (ie I was skating with 40mm wheels on the front instead of the original 76mm) and the largest wheel on the rear would have only been 75mm diameter instead of the original 80mm. And the threads were starting to show through the compound on the front wheel. So, time to change it up with my wheels!
So, I made sure I got to the Ice Arena for Wednesday night's public session with ample time to call into the Powerplay skate shop (where I got my inlines from). I, perhaps foolishly, thought they'd be carrying Hi-Lo wheels that would fit seeing as they sold the original skate. Not the case.
So, though I got some satisfaction from the expression of the man when I showed him the worn wheel I'd brought in as an 'example' (his jaw literally dropped at the sight of my tiny wheel, though he also admitted that it was evenly worn (so I wasn't mistreating it)), disappointment loomed large when he offered to 'order them in'.
Hmmmm. Nah, that'll take to long. Maybe I'll check in at Gawler on my way through this weekend,
Indicating, I'll stop in and check the hole in the wall skate shop in Gawler Rec Centre on my way through to North of Port Augusta for the Easter longweekend.
He'll probably have something...
Which generated a desired response. With a flash of creativity he found some cut price blue indoor 76mm Mission wheels for the front, and a set of neon orange Rink Rat 80mm wheels for the rear. Which was an educated guess as to what size wheels my skates take (it turns out we got it right, but arranged for me to get there a bit after midday today if need be to change over to correct size) and a matching of my skate style / circumstances (ashphalt, concrete and skating rinks) with the wheels (softer on the front, harder on the rear). Which coincided neatly with the fact that these happened to be the sets of wheels which were available at a reasonable price.
So I got them.
As a postscript, this was an interesting contrast to the time I took in a rollerblade wheel for replacement, and didn't know that I had to take the central bearings and their spacer out of the wheel assembly, let alone have the tool needed to sort the bearings. At least back then I got an alan key for the axle bolt. This was most useful for my recent visit.
This time, I managed to get all my bearings out and sorted (and was able to examine them to confirm they're all visibly okay) with what is actually a quite fancy tool and my growing 'attitude' with my equipment. Then, when the store staff saw that I could remove the bearings myself and knew what a 'spacer' is (when I showed them my old wheel they commented that I'd removed the bearings) they answered my enquiries with more information than they would have otherwise. Which makes me a more educated hockey player. And now I know what I have to do to maintain my bearings.
Which is good.
So, I made sure I got to the Ice Arena for Wednesday night's public session with ample time to call into the Powerplay skate shop (where I got my inlines from). I, perhaps foolishly, thought they'd be carrying Hi-Lo wheels that would fit seeing as they sold the original skate. Not the case.
So, though I got some satisfaction from the expression of the man when I showed him the worn wheel I'd brought in as an 'example' (his jaw literally dropped at the sight of my tiny wheel, though he also admitted that it was evenly worn (so I wasn't mistreating it)), disappointment loomed large when he offered to 'order them in'.
Hmmmm. Nah, that'll take to long. Maybe I'll check in at Gawler on my way through this weekend,
Indicating, I'll stop in and check the hole in the wall skate shop in Gawler Rec Centre on my way through to North of Port Augusta for the Easter longweekend.
He'll probably have something...
Which generated a desired response. With a flash of creativity he found some cut price blue indoor 76mm Mission wheels for the front, and a set of neon orange Rink Rat 80mm wheels for the rear. Which was an educated guess as to what size wheels my skates take (it turns out we got it right, but arranged for me to get there a bit after midday today if need be to change over to correct size) and a matching of my skate style / circumstances (ashphalt, concrete and skating rinks) with the wheels (softer on the front, harder on the rear). Which coincided neatly with the fact that these happened to be the sets of wheels which were available at a reasonable price.
So I got them.
As a postscript, this was an interesting contrast to the time I took in a rollerblade wheel for replacement, and didn't know that I had to take the central bearings and their spacer out of the wheel assembly, let alone have the tool needed to sort the bearings. At least back then I got an alan key for the axle bolt. This was most useful for my recent visit.
This time, I managed to get all my bearings out and sorted (and was able to examine them to confirm they're all visibly okay) with what is actually a quite fancy tool and my growing 'attitude' with my equipment. Then, when the store staff saw that I could remove the bearings myself and knew what a 'spacer' is (when I showed them my old wheel they commented that I'd removed the bearings) they answered my enquiries with more information than they would have otherwise. Which makes me a more educated hockey player. And now I know what I have to do to maintain my bearings.
Which is good.
Tuesday 15 April 2014
NHL Playoff Picks
Just for the fun of it, I'll post up my end of season playoff picks before the puck drops.
Western Conference
Round 1:
Colorado over Minnesota (despite the underdog status of the Wild in these games, Colorado is young and new to their present success, and big and solid),
St Louis over Chicago (Because the Blues are the blues, because they're playing Chicago, because they play a pretty mean game),
Dallas over Anaheim (underdog status, Anaheim's still a bit shaky in my opinion (even though Saku Koivu plays for them these days)),
San Jose over Los Angeles (because they're LA, because they have Quick in the goals, because the Sharks have a fluid style that's not weak because of that).
Round 2:
Colorado over Dallas (simple)
Sharks over St Louis (anything but simple, I'll go with the theory that offence wins out over defence, but therefore subject to the injury count)
Round 3: Would favour whichever of Sharks and the Blues makes it versus Colorado (unless its the Sharks and they're really beat up).
Eastern Conference
Round 1:
Boston over Redwings (much as I hate to say it as I like watching the Redwings and the Bruins are, well, the Bruins, baaaah).
Montreal over Tampa Bay (so I can wear my Canadien's sweater, they're the only Canadian team left, I like Subban and Gionta and Markov, they have Carey Price, Wayne goes for the Bolts. This will be a close run thing, if Montreal tries to dig in the Bolts will cut them apart).
Columbia over Pitsburgh (I don't know a lot about these two, and even though the Penguins have Cosby, they're a bit arrogant and I suspect their roster is not overly deep. Also, the Blue Jackets are the underdogs nominally speaking, with everything to play for).
New York Rangers over Philadelphia (tough choice, but Rangers home ice and Vinegt as coach with St Louis under him, versus the broadstreet bullies. How could I go for the Flyers?).
Round 2:
Montreal (or the Bolts) over Boston (Anyone but the Bruins!)
Rangers over Blue Jackets (because class and physicality will win out)
Round 3: If Boston has come this far they'll be hot favourites, though I'll be cheering for the blueshirts (Rangers).
We'll see how I go with my cheering. I'd like Montreal to win, otherwise I'll probably be cheering for the Western team in the final.
Especially if they're playing Boston.
Western Conference
Round 1:
Colorado over Minnesota (despite the underdog status of the Wild in these games, Colorado is young and new to their present success, and big and solid),
St Louis over Chicago (Because the Blues are the blues, because they're playing Chicago, because they play a pretty mean game),
Dallas over Anaheim (underdog status, Anaheim's still a bit shaky in my opinion (even though Saku Koivu plays for them these days)),
San Jose over Los Angeles (because they're LA, because they have Quick in the goals, because the Sharks have a fluid style that's not weak because of that).
Round 2:
Colorado over Dallas (simple)
Sharks over St Louis (anything but simple, I'll go with the theory that offence wins out over defence, but therefore subject to the injury count)
Round 3: Would favour whichever of Sharks and the Blues makes it versus Colorado (unless its the Sharks and they're really beat up).
Eastern Conference
Round 1:
Boston over Redwings (much as I hate to say it as I like watching the Redwings and the Bruins are, well, the Bruins, baaaah).
Montreal over Tampa Bay (so I can wear my Canadien's sweater, they're the only Canadian team left, I like Subban and Gionta and Markov, they have Carey Price, Wayne goes for the Bolts. This will be a close run thing, if Montreal tries to dig in the Bolts will cut them apart).
Columbia over Pitsburgh (I don't know a lot about these two, and even though the Penguins have Cosby, they're a bit arrogant and I suspect their roster is not overly deep. Also, the Blue Jackets are the underdogs nominally speaking, with everything to play for).
New York Rangers over Philadelphia (tough choice, but Rangers home ice and Vinegt as coach with St Louis under him, versus the broadstreet bullies. How could I go for the Flyers?).
Round 2:
Montreal (or the Bolts) over Boston (Anyone but the Bruins!)
Rangers over Blue Jackets (because class and physicality will win out)
Round 3: If Boston has come this far they'll be hot favourites, though I'll be cheering for the blueshirts (Rangers).
We'll see how I go with my cheering. I'd like Montreal to win, otherwise I'll probably be cheering for the Western team in the final.
Especially if they're playing Boston.
2,250 shots and counting...
In a period of 24 days I had 10 sessions involving shooting. It was all on inlines at the local schoolyard, and is the only concentrated shooting practice I've had. I counted 2,250 individual shots during that time, of which 502 hit the the 'goal' (a netball goalpost about 2" wide) on the shot and another 35 on the rebound (in the 400 dynamic plays). A gross shooting percentage of 24.0%.
The only stats I kept on my first 100 shots on 21 March were distance (15') and on target percentage (22%). So, I guess I've improved!
In sessions 2-6 I shot at 35%, 19%, 19%, 31%, and 14%. Overall, shot at 21.7%. All of these sessions include 50 shots at 30' (total of 250 shots at that distance. My accuracy at 30'was 17.2%. Session 6 totaled only 150 shots and was a really low motivation day.
In Session 7 I introduced the 'new routine' of 100 each of static and dynamic at 15', concentrating on shooting mechanics for the static and integration with skating in the dynamic exercises. In sessions 7-10 I shot at 19%, 29%, 34% and 34%. If we include first time rebounds, these figures become 29%, 33%, 39% and 40%. Shows how important rebounds are to elevate relative scoring results!
My dynamic shooting percentage at 15' was 30% on goal on the initial shot. 12.5% of missed shots went in on the rebound. Which is a grand total of 39% shots/rebounds. Accuracy of type of shot/distance for remaining categories were: 15' Snapshot - 29%, Wrist shot - 26.1%, Full Face (snap) - 26%, and, Backhand - 15.1%. My 250 wrist shots from 30' were at 17.2% accuracy.
I think the sample size is large enough that the above figures mean something. I'm not sure exactly what that something is - beyond the fact that I appear to be getting more accurate despite the increased complexity of the exercises. When I mix this thought with the subjective knowledge that my technique, speed, power and stick-handling are also massively improving, I think it is safe to say that I am getting better and furthering my ambition to become a better player.
Which makes it all worthwhile.
The only stats I kept on my first 100 shots on 21 March were distance (15') and on target percentage (22%). So, I guess I've improved!
In sessions 2-6 I shot at 35%, 19%, 19%, 31%, and 14%. Overall, shot at 21.7%. All of these sessions include 50 shots at 30' (total of 250 shots at that distance. My accuracy at 30'was 17.2%. Session 6 totaled only 150 shots and was a really low motivation day.
In Session 7 I introduced the 'new routine' of 100 each of static and dynamic at 15', concentrating on shooting mechanics for the static and integration with skating in the dynamic exercises. In sessions 7-10 I shot at 19%, 29%, 34% and 34%. If we include first time rebounds, these figures become 29%, 33%, 39% and 40%. Shows how important rebounds are to elevate relative scoring results!
My dynamic shooting percentage at 15' was 30% on goal on the initial shot. 12.5% of missed shots went in on the rebound. Which is a grand total of 39% shots/rebounds. Accuracy of type of shot/distance for remaining categories were: 15' Snapshot - 29%, Wrist shot - 26.1%, Full Face (snap) - 26%, and, Backhand - 15.1%. My 250 wrist shots from 30' were at 17.2% accuracy.
I think the sample size is large enough that the above figures mean something. I'm not sure exactly what that something is - beyond the fact that I appear to be getting more accurate despite the increased complexity of the exercises. When I mix this thought with the subjective knowledge that my technique, speed, power and stick-handling are also massively improving, I think it is safe to say that I am getting better and furthering my ambition to become a better player.
Which makes it all worthwhile.
Off Season?
When I was in Canada this time of year two years ago, many of their ice rinks were already drained of ice and in use for other purposes (eg 'box' lacrosse). It seems that sports fans change gear if their teams don't make the playoffs, and that players change to another sport (golf, anyone?). The hockey calendar seems to be based around the annual progression of season and off season. Much the same as footy over here.
But, as the NHL regular season (and it seems every other northern hemisphere league) ends, ours begins. The local leagues kicked off a week and a half ago. The Australian National Ice Hockey League has just started (weekly one hour broadcast on featured game on foxtel). Of interest, Vikings winter season teams are being announced next week (registration the following week).
Admittedly, most of the above aussie ice hockey league levels stop for half the year (the 'off season'), but inline rolls on, and C grade and the Adrenaline women. We're the lucky ones where, if fortunate, we also manage to qualify for a summer team and get to play for at least eighteen months straight.
But only if we can qualify. Hence, treating this period as a personal 'off season' in regards to training etc.while all the hockey goes on around.
But, as the NHL regular season (and it seems every other northern hemisphere league) ends, ours begins. The local leagues kicked off a week and a half ago. The Australian National Ice Hockey League has just started (weekly one hour broadcast on featured game on foxtel). Of interest, Vikings winter season teams are being announced next week (registration the following week).
Admittedly, most of the above aussie ice hockey league levels stop for half the year (the 'off season'), but inline rolls on, and C grade and the Adrenaline women. We're the lucky ones where, if fortunate, we also manage to qualify for a summer team and get to play for at least eighteen months straight.
But only if we can qualify. Hence, treating this period as a personal 'off season' in regards to training etc.while all the hockey goes on around.
Sunday 13 April 2014
Sunday Skate - training evolution and shots
Continuation of previous post after its discourse on wheels.
Though today's stick'n'puck session still found its rhythm via the shooting element, it evolved in a signigicant fashion as I went through the initial 125 dynamic shots from the 15' circle. I did five sets of 25, each with a different drill 'scenario' setting the complexity and emphasis of my skating and decision making. The best way to explore this is to describe the evolution of drill between each set.
For the whole 125 shots, the overall rhythm of the exercise was spent with five pucks lying in a rough line across the court, somewhere between the 15' circle and 30' line. In each drill I used the two marked netball centre circles as focus points for what followed (ie they functioned as pylons / witches hats / opponents / turning points). In other words, I had the two obstacles (centre circles) and three 'lanes' through the centre of the court (to the left and right of the centre circles, as well as the space of about 12' between), a line 30' from the end-boards, a 15' semicircle abutting the end of the court, and my target goal (2"-3" wide goalpost in centre of the endboard, to focus of the semicircle). As the pucks ranged from far right court, through centre to far left court, and the lanes in the neutral zone led down the right wing, centre and let wing, the different combinations of puck location and entry/exit lanes led to a constantly changing approach dynamic. It kept the exercise 'alive'.
For the first 25 (4 'goals' - 1 rebound - 0 goal AND rebound in the same play), I skated out from the goal area and curled from the outside in on the rightmost centre circle on the first five, leftside outside in for second five, rightside inside out for the next, leftside inside out for the next five, and 'freeform' for the final five. Thus, entered the attacking zone from the centre 'lane' for first ten shots, then the two outside lanes over the next ten, and various lanes for the last five. Having entered the attack half of the neutral zone, I then accelerated in a curl toward my target puck (starting, say, with the leftmost and working my way to the right with each shot), if necessary skating along the thirty foot line also, until I was able to get a good angle upon turning towards puck and goal. I'd then skate in to pick up the target puck on my forehand and glide towards the goal (preferably in a straight line). Ideally, I'd have my eye on the puck as my stick went onto it, then look upwards and focus on the goal post for the glide in to the 15' line. It seems that, now I think of it, this turns out to be probably good 'quiet eye' technique training.
For the second 25 (6-4-1), the difference was mainly that I skated out Backwards from behind my goal. Once I'd passed my target puck on the 'outward journey' towards the centre, I kept my eyes fixed on the puck as I transitioned around the 'corner' of the relevant central circle into the designated central lane for the play, and then powered towards the puck for pickup and shot as in the first set.
For the third 25 (8-3-1) I repeated the first set, only this time I additionally disciplined myself to turn away from the endboards from the previous shot so that my body was always open to the target puck (ie, I didn't turn my back on the target puck) as I commenced skating towards the centre. By the time I passed my target puck on the outward journey I would have decided which of the three lanes I was going to depart and then re-enter the offensive zone would be. The criteria was to minimise the awkwardness of the turn around the thus selected central circle and also to be on the forehand for the pickup/glide/shot as quickly and easily as possible.
For the fourth 25 (8-5-2) I repeated the second set, adding the modifications I had in the third. I noticed that by skating backwards I gave myself considerably more time to be prepared (ie not having to think about 'what to do' as I had to do it) for the turn/transition in the centre as I was 'eyes on' the puck for a lot longer.
For the final 25 (8-5-2), I repeated the third set, adding the component of picking up the puck on the OUTWARDS journey on my BACKHAND, necessitating one (and often more) deke at some point before the 30' line (from where I tried to be eyes on goal).
The most interesting thing here, as the drills got more complex but I got used to the addition of 'decision making' into it, I started making better decisions and shooting more accurate. Very interesting indeed.
Finally, I closed out the session with my traditional four sets of 25 from the 15' line, with each set broken into five focus points (breath, stance, weight, follow through and power) for each of FH Sp, WS, FF Sp and BH.
Results were good to excellent (8-11-10-5), with my highest shot total to date (11/25) for the wrist shot!
Though today's stick'n'puck session still found its rhythm via the shooting element, it evolved in a signigicant fashion as I went through the initial 125 dynamic shots from the 15' circle. I did five sets of 25, each with a different drill 'scenario' setting the complexity and emphasis of my skating and decision making. The best way to explore this is to describe the evolution of drill between each set.
For the whole 125 shots, the overall rhythm of the exercise was spent with five pucks lying in a rough line across the court, somewhere between the 15' circle and 30' line. In each drill I used the two marked netball centre circles as focus points for what followed (ie they functioned as pylons / witches hats / opponents / turning points). In other words, I had the two obstacles (centre circles) and three 'lanes' through the centre of the court (to the left and right of the centre circles, as well as the space of about 12' between), a line 30' from the end-boards, a 15' semicircle abutting the end of the court, and my target goal (2"-3" wide goalpost in centre of the endboard, to focus of the semicircle). As the pucks ranged from far right court, through centre to far left court, and the lanes in the neutral zone led down the right wing, centre and let wing, the different combinations of puck location and entry/exit lanes led to a constantly changing approach dynamic. It kept the exercise 'alive'.
For the first 25 (4 'goals' - 1 rebound - 0 goal AND rebound in the same play), I skated out from the goal area and curled from the outside in on the rightmost centre circle on the first five, leftside outside in for second five, rightside inside out for the next, leftside inside out for the next five, and 'freeform' for the final five. Thus, entered the attacking zone from the centre 'lane' for first ten shots, then the two outside lanes over the next ten, and various lanes for the last five. Having entered the attack half of the neutral zone, I then accelerated in a curl toward my target puck (starting, say, with the leftmost and working my way to the right with each shot), if necessary skating along the thirty foot line also, until I was able to get a good angle upon turning towards puck and goal. I'd then skate in to pick up the target puck on my forehand and glide towards the goal (preferably in a straight line). Ideally, I'd have my eye on the puck as my stick went onto it, then look upwards and focus on the goal post for the glide in to the 15' line. It seems that, now I think of it, this turns out to be probably good 'quiet eye' technique training.
For the second 25 (6-4-1), the difference was mainly that I skated out Backwards from behind my goal. Once I'd passed my target puck on the 'outward journey' towards the centre, I kept my eyes fixed on the puck as I transitioned around the 'corner' of the relevant central circle into the designated central lane for the play, and then powered towards the puck for pickup and shot as in the first set.
For the third 25 (8-3-1) I repeated the first set, only this time I additionally disciplined myself to turn away from the endboards from the previous shot so that my body was always open to the target puck (ie, I didn't turn my back on the target puck) as I commenced skating towards the centre. By the time I passed my target puck on the outward journey I would have decided which of the three lanes I was going to depart and then re-enter the offensive zone would be. The criteria was to minimise the awkwardness of the turn around the thus selected central circle and also to be on the forehand for the pickup/glide/shot as quickly and easily as possible.
For the fourth 25 (8-5-2) I repeated the second set, adding the modifications I had in the third. I noticed that by skating backwards I gave myself considerably more time to be prepared (ie not having to think about 'what to do' as I had to do it) for the turn/transition in the centre as I was 'eyes on' the puck for a lot longer.
For the final 25 (8-5-2), I repeated the third set, adding the component of picking up the puck on the OUTWARDS journey on my BACKHAND, necessitating one (and often more) deke at some point before the 30' line (from where I tried to be eyes on goal).
The most interesting thing here, as the drills got more complex but I got used to the addition of 'decision making' into it, I started making better decisions and shooting more accurate. Very interesting indeed.
Finally, I closed out the session with my traditional four sets of 25 from the 15' line, with each set broken into five focus points (breath, stance, weight, follow through and power) for each of FH Sp, WS, FF Sp and BH.
Results were good to excellent (8-11-10-5), with my highest shot total to date (11/25) for the wrist shot!
Sunday Skate - wheels
This afternoon was slightly overcast and dry with temp's in the high teens. Could have gone ice skating but, as the kids are away and I'm making good ground recently with my shooting, I went down the primary school instead. Was gone about two hours.
Before I left I turned my wheels over on both skates. Yesterday I noticed how much relative wear was being experienced by my back wheels on both feet, so much so that the wheel was markedly less diameter than any other on the skate. In fact, the front two wheels on each skate were bigger than the rear pair (opposite of what it's meant to be). so I changed them all over, reversing them on each skate by front to back, and turning them over so that what had been the outside 'edge' now became the inside.
As always when turning wheels over so that the wear camber faces the 'wrong' way, for the first few minutes I had to remind myself to not take it too quick or too tight in the corners for fear of having a skate gain a mind of its own and follow the 'natural' track of the wheels (ie, the opposite way to what I want at that moment) with usually unfortunate results. Had a couple of falls in first half hour and one slide out in the following period. On the second fall I noticed as I did it that I twisted in the air on the way down to turn a bum landing into one where could use the armour and joint of my knees to turn a painfull contact into a harmless one. On the first fall I wasn't so alert and ended up giving myself a Grade I (minor) wrist sprain on the right. Could have been worse on both falls. Not blaming the wheels or the skates, but the fact that I tried to do too much and knew it at the time.
Once I got the hang of the small wheels in front and the increased 'rocker' effect on the skate as a whole, I was able to use it to my advantage. Especially in powerskating strokes, where the small front wheel makes it easier to 'snap' out the foot at the end of each stroke, pushing off from toe tip with the ankle/leg. Maneuverability increased in tight changes of direction, but overall speed was less than when wheels were full diameter (or, close to). Skating up my homeward hill, used over 90 strong power strokes when it usually takes between 79 and 83 to do so - an entirely expected loss of distance efficiency of having smaller wheels.
When looking at the wheels, it has become the case that even the least worn of them is significantly reduced compared to its original diameter. In turning over the wheels this morning from front to back for the first time I changed their relative positions on the skate in a major way. What were my front 78mm wheels were both larger than the rearmost wheels (originally, 82mm) before the change, as I grasp to the last few hours of use from them all.
Time to get some new wheels.
This post continues in Part Two, when I get into my shooting.
Before I left I turned my wheels over on both skates. Yesterday I noticed how much relative wear was being experienced by my back wheels on both feet, so much so that the wheel was markedly less diameter than any other on the skate. In fact, the front two wheels on each skate were bigger than the rear pair (opposite of what it's meant to be). so I changed them all over, reversing them on each skate by front to back, and turning them over so that what had been the outside 'edge' now became the inside.
As always when turning wheels over so that the wear camber faces the 'wrong' way, for the first few minutes I had to remind myself to not take it too quick or too tight in the corners for fear of having a skate gain a mind of its own and follow the 'natural' track of the wheels (ie, the opposite way to what I want at that moment) with usually unfortunate results. Had a couple of falls in first half hour and one slide out in the following period. On the second fall I noticed as I did it that I twisted in the air on the way down to turn a bum landing into one where could use the armour and joint of my knees to turn a painfull contact into a harmless one. On the first fall I wasn't so alert and ended up giving myself a Grade I (minor) wrist sprain on the right. Could have been worse on both falls. Not blaming the wheels or the skates, but the fact that I tried to do too much and knew it at the time.
Once I got the hang of the small wheels in front and the increased 'rocker' effect on the skate as a whole, I was able to use it to my advantage. Especially in powerskating strokes, where the small front wheel makes it easier to 'snap' out the foot at the end of each stroke, pushing off from toe tip with the ankle/leg. Maneuverability increased in tight changes of direction, but overall speed was less than when wheels were full diameter (or, close to). Skating up my homeward hill, used over 90 strong power strokes when it usually takes between 79 and 83 to do so - an entirely expected loss of distance efficiency of having smaller wheels.
When looking at the wheels, it has become the case that even the least worn of them is significantly reduced compared to its original diameter. In turning over the wheels this morning from front to back for the first time I changed their relative positions on the skate in a major way. What were my front 78mm wheels were both larger than the rearmost wheels (originally, 82mm) before the change, as I grasp to the last few hours of use from them all.
Time to get some new wheels.
This post continues in Part Two, when I get into my shooting.
Saturday Dynamic Shoot
Yesterday I took advantage of the weekend and fine cool weather to go down the school for an hour and a half of shooting practice. I seem to have finally reached the point of my inline skating where I am putting into practice the original idea that led me to lace up some inlines in the first instance (ie puck and stick practice, not inline skating per se) without even realising it. It's good when a plan pans out :)
As much as I enjoy the skating for its own sake (eg. my River Skates), time is a limiting factor and I need to make the most of my opportunities during the 'off season'. I've reached the level where I don't embarrass myself as a skater when playing inline hockey, and where I don't have to be consciously working out the basic moves when practicing. So, I can concentrate on my stick and puck work for its own sake, making me a much more dangerous inline player and, hopefully, a much more competent ice hockey player. Which was the whole point of picking up inlines in the first place. So, plan achieved.
As seems to be the current pattern, upon arrival at the school I didn't spend any time on specifically skating drills and moved straight into shooting mode. As a slight compromise in this change of emphasis from skate to shoot I did my dynamic shooting drills first, laying a hundred shots on the goal from a variety of pick-up maneuver scenarios. As previously, I kept stats on each 25 shot cycle rather than just the aggregate 100 shot total.
For the first 50 shots from the 15' circle, I curled in from the centre from randomly chosen Left/Right, with a forehand wrist resulting. Stats were 9-4-3 and 10-7-2 for each bracket of 25.
Third set of 25, I picked up the puck on both FH and BH, inside and out, as I skated out from the goal curling left or right (deking only as necessary), before FH shots. 10-4-2.
For the final 25 dynamic shots, I picked up and curled as per the third set, but this time inserted at least one set of dekes into the maneuver (though no distinct pattern to it). 8-4-1.
Then I closed off with 4 set of 25 stationary shots at 15', moving through my standard four types of shot (FH snap, WS, FF snap, BH). I made it a more technical exercise than previously by further breaking each set into 5 repetitions of 5 shots (easy to do with five pucks), concentrating during each of these mini-reps upon a particular aspect of the mechanics of shooting (breathing, stance, weight transfer, follow through and power/flex). 8-9-7-7.
There are four observations I'll make about the session overall:
1 - It took 90 minutes to progress through the routine, significantly longer than when just limited it to 'shooting' per se, rather than micro techniques for static shots or scenario in the dyanmic rep's.
2 - My shooting stats are the best I've produced since I started shooting at the school. Also, the shots 'felt' better, more powerful, accurate and controlled.
3 - The building into the rep cycle of micro reps (ie the 5x5x4 breakdown of the 15' static exercise) made the 'counting' much easier (ie, I didn't have to count how many shots I'd had from 1-25 as this was 'built into ' the exercise by progressing through the pattern of 'techniques' (breath, stance, weight, follow through, power), and I didn't have to count the five shot reps due the number of pucks (5 for each of the 'techniques')). This reduced the load of my cognitive channels from such 'book keeping' and freed it up for 'learning'. I think this is good pedagogy for me, building one of a coach's functions into the structure of the drill itself.
4 - I was very hungry upon return home, and had a good sleep a little later in the afternoon. Both signs of a good workout as well as good practice.
Will go out and do it all again shortly...
As much as I enjoy the skating for its own sake (eg. my River Skates), time is a limiting factor and I need to make the most of my opportunities during the 'off season'. I've reached the level where I don't embarrass myself as a skater when playing inline hockey, and where I don't have to be consciously working out the basic moves when practicing. So, I can concentrate on my stick and puck work for its own sake, making me a much more dangerous inline player and, hopefully, a much more competent ice hockey player. Which was the whole point of picking up inlines in the first place. So, plan achieved.
As seems to be the current pattern, upon arrival at the school I didn't spend any time on specifically skating drills and moved straight into shooting mode. As a slight compromise in this change of emphasis from skate to shoot I did my dynamic shooting drills first, laying a hundred shots on the goal from a variety of pick-up maneuver scenarios. As previously, I kept stats on each 25 shot cycle rather than just the aggregate 100 shot total.
For the first 50 shots from the 15' circle, I curled in from the centre from randomly chosen Left/Right, with a forehand wrist resulting. Stats were 9-4-3 and 10-7-2 for each bracket of 25.
Third set of 25, I picked up the puck on both FH and BH, inside and out, as I skated out from the goal curling left or right (deking only as necessary), before FH shots. 10-4-2.
For the final 25 dynamic shots, I picked up and curled as per the third set, but this time inserted at least one set of dekes into the maneuver (though no distinct pattern to it). 8-4-1.
Then I closed off with 4 set of 25 stationary shots at 15', moving through my standard four types of shot (FH snap, WS, FF snap, BH). I made it a more technical exercise than previously by further breaking each set into 5 repetitions of 5 shots (easy to do with five pucks), concentrating during each of these mini-reps upon a particular aspect of the mechanics of shooting (breathing, stance, weight transfer, follow through and power/flex). 8-9-7-7.
There are four observations I'll make about the session overall:
1 - It took 90 minutes to progress through the routine, significantly longer than when just limited it to 'shooting' per se, rather than micro techniques for static shots or scenario in the dyanmic rep's.
2 - My shooting stats are the best I've produced since I started shooting at the school. Also, the shots 'felt' better, more powerful, accurate and controlled.
3 - The building into the rep cycle of micro reps (ie the 5x5x4 breakdown of the 15' static exercise) made the 'counting' much easier (ie, I didn't have to count how many shots I'd had from 1-25 as this was 'built into ' the exercise by progressing through the pattern of 'techniques' (breath, stance, weight, follow through, power), and I didn't have to count the five shot reps due the number of pucks (5 for each of the 'techniques')). This reduced the load of my cognitive channels from such 'book keeping' and freed it up for 'learning'. I think this is good pedagogy for me, building one of a coach's functions into the structure of the drill itself.
4 - I was very hungry upon return home, and had a good sleep a little later in the afternoon. Both signs of a good workout as well as good practice.
Will go out and do it all again shortly...
Saturday 12 April 2014
In Defence of Small Ice
“When you do skate competitions you are really most interested in acceleration and agility skating,” he said. “The flat-out use of maximum skating in the game of hockey, it simply doesn’t happen very often. What does happen is that you have to be adjusting, changing, going forward, backward, lateral, always turning and moving toward the puck; that’s agility skating … Practices in smaller areas generate more stops, starts, turns and, most importantly, more puck touches.”
- George Kingston, Canadian Hockey Coaching Legend, at 74
- Quote from Sport IQ.
- George Kingston, Canadian Hockey Coaching Legend, at 74
- Quote from Sport IQ.
Evening Shooting Drill
Tonight I was home a bit early from work and there had been no rain all day. In the late afternoon, the sun properly broke through the clouds and the missus drew my attention to the fact that this was a good opportunity for a skate. Needless to say, my antenna was already attuned to the possibility, so it wasn't long and I was off down the street in my inlines, hockey stick in hand.
On Wednesday I'd bought three more 'green biscuit' practice pucks (2 neon lime general purpose ones, one slap shot puck, none of the type of the one which I'd shattered a couple weeks ago) so I had five useable pucks in my backpack. I was curious to see if having more pucks enabled me to get more shots in before home time (less time retrieving pucks).
I did indeed get more shots off in the seventy minutes I was gone than I would have with only two pucks. There was an additional bonus also, in that I could pace myself with longer series' of shots compared to retrievals. The accuracy rates were as good or better than they've ever been. So I'm thinking that having the more shots in a row before needing to chase pucks enabled quicker muscle 'tuning' to occur and more finely calibrated learning. Taking five shots in a row before having a short break to retrieve allowed a concentration upon particular aspects of shooting (eg. weight transfer, stance, follow though, flex pressure, quiet eye, etc) to form a technical focus for that short period of repetitions. Long enough a series for meaningful learning and reinforcement, short enough to allow a high rotation and thus variety of drill focii. Good for maximisation of learning as well as light, in other words.
Had a minor scrape on the rear right quarter of the upper leg following a sliding fall at high speed. This is the first visible injury I've suffered on the inlines on ashphalt for a couple months. Despite the livid red graze, no pain and no restriction in movement. Hopefully the same tomorrow.
Was down there late enough to evaluate visibility under floodlit conditions of the schoolyard at night. The neon green pucks were quite visible, the shooting pucks (dark olive green) tended to vanish into the gloom on the ashphalt. As I skated home in the gloom I was good with the fact that there is the possibility, subject to rain and dew, of shooting practice occasionally on a winter's eve if I take a responsible attitude towards getting there and back in the dark. This is good.
My shooting stats (as well as my level of general conditioning) were improved from last few times.
25 shots @ at 15' (FH Sp, WS, FF Sp, BH): 9, 7, 8, 1.
4 x 25 dynamic shots from 15' (shts - rbnds - shts & rbnds): 8-1-1, 9-3-1, 9-6-3, 6-4-1.
On Wednesday I'd bought three more 'green biscuit' practice pucks (2 neon lime general purpose ones, one slap shot puck, none of the type of the one which I'd shattered a couple weeks ago) so I had five useable pucks in my backpack. I was curious to see if having more pucks enabled me to get more shots in before home time (less time retrieving pucks).
I did indeed get more shots off in the seventy minutes I was gone than I would have with only two pucks. There was an additional bonus also, in that I could pace myself with longer series' of shots compared to retrievals. The accuracy rates were as good or better than they've ever been. So I'm thinking that having the more shots in a row before needing to chase pucks enabled quicker muscle 'tuning' to occur and more finely calibrated learning. Taking five shots in a row before having a short break to retrieve allowed a concentration upon particular aspects of shooting (eg. weight transfer, stance, follow though, flex pressure, quiet eye, etc) to form a technical focus for that short period of repetitions. Long enough a series for meaningful learning and reinforcement, short enough to allow a high rotation and thus variety of drill focii. Good for maximisation of learning as well as light, in other words.
Had a minor scrape on the rear right quarter of the upper leg following a sliding fall at high speed. This is the first visible injury I've suffered on the inlines on ashphalt for a couple months. Despite the livid red graze, no pain and no restriction in movement. Hopefully the same tomorrow.
Was down there late enough to evaluate visibility under floodlit conditions of the schoolyard at night. The neon green pucks were quite visible, the shooting pucks (dark olive green) tended to vanish into the gloom on the ashphalt. As I skated home in the gloom I was good with the fact that there is the possibility, subject to rain and dew, of shooting practice occasionally on a winter's eve if I take a responsible attitude towards getting there and back in the dark. This is good.
My shooting stats (as well as my level of general conditioning) were improved from last few times.
25 shots @ at 15' (FH Sp, WS, FF Sp, BH): 9, 7, 8, 1.
4 x 25 dynamic shots from 15' (shts - rbnds - shts & rbnds): 8-1-1, 9-3-1, 9-6-3, 6-4-1.
Mid-week Skate
The 'normal' Wednesday Night classic rock skate is suspended during the winter hockey season due to there being A Grade games on the big ice. Last Wednesday I went to the Arena without my skates to watch the first game of the league's 50th season. This week I instead took my skates and skated on the small ice. Just the other side of the barrier the Falcons and Tigers battled it out. It's a nice mix.
I was on the ice for an hour and a half, stopping occasionally to watch a couple minutes of the game from ice level, or have a breather and watch my fellow skaters. Myself, didn't push it too hard at all. That was not the 'purpose' of the session for me, nothing too stressful or straining. The speed naturally built up over the time I was on ice as I became both more proficient at finding my 'ice legs' and as the ice cleared of most of the true beginner skaters. I didn't go over at all (though came close a couple times in tight turns), which was just as well as the ice was harder and a bit rougher than usual.
I went through all the basic maneuvers at least a few times at moderate pace, including a few minutes' stopping drill (back and forth left and right three paces to speed, followed by stop and accelerate the other way for three steps, etc). Also a few laps with T stops, followed by slow hockey stops where tried to disengage the leading leg and thus ride the outside edge on the inside foot. Still haven't got it, but getting closer. I'm almost at the point where it will become a 'confidence thing' (if I recall the process of learning two foot hockey stop correctly) and then this particular technique will be within sight. Need to keep on working week by week on this one.
Watching a couple younger fellows who had started hockey when I did, noticed how far the best of them have advanced. Much flasher skaters than me, quicker, etc. I'll have to think carefully about how I make advantage of my own skills and abilities if I am to stay competitve with my cohort. Of such things was I thinking as I left the ice for home.
Tigers beat Falcons 7-1
I was on the ice for an hour and a half, stopping occasionally to watch a couple minutes of the game from ice level, or have a breather and watch my fellow skaters. Myself, didn't push it too hard at all. That was not the 'purpose' of the session for me, nothing too stressful or straining. The speed naturally built up over the time I was on ice as I became both more proficient at finding my 'ice legs' and as the ice cleared of most of the true beginner skaters. I didn't go over at all (though came close a couple times in tight turns), which was just as well as the ice was harder and a bit rougher than usual.
I went through all the basic maneuvers at least a few times at moderate pace, including a few minutes' stopping drill (back and forth left and right three paces to speed, followed by stop and accelerate the other way for three steps, etc). Also a few laps with T stops, followed by slow hockey stops where tried to disengage the leading leg and thus ride the outside edge on the inside foot. Still haven't got it, but getting closer. I'm almost at the point where it will become a 'confidence thing' (if I recall the process of learning two foot hockey stop correctly) and then this particular technique will be within sight. Need to keep on working week by week on this one.
Watching a couple younger fellows who had started hockey when I did, noticed how far the best of them have advanced. Much flasher skaters than me, quicker, etc. I'll have to think carefully about how I make advantage of my own skills and abilities if I am to stay competitve with my cohort. Of such things was I thinking as I left the ice for home.
Tigers beat Falcons 7-1
Tuesday 8 April 2014
A Conflict?
After over a year of contact with hockey training and competitions, my day job has finally directly intruded into the structure of my season other than in the most obvious way (ie late stay at work means can't get to training). It has happened when I realised today while at work (I am a legal aid criminal defence lawyer when not dressed in my armour) that there is a police prosecutor playing in the inline competition. We get on quite well personally and I don't think we'd actually become compromised if we got put into the same team over winter, but how would you feel if your lawyer was literally in the opposition's team?
So I let the organisers know that, if they feel they must mix up the inline teams for next season, we shouldn't be placed on the same team.
All cool.
So I let the organisers know that, if they feel they must mix up the inline teams for next season, we shouldn't be placed on the same team.
All cool.
Sunday 6 April 2014
Sunday Skate
Upon my return from my morning schoolyard shootout I had time to wolf down a serve of rice and lamb randang, and then it was off to pick up the grandkids and head down to the Ice Arena. We made good time and were able to get an hour and half of skating in before time was called. For the second week in a row, three kids and no blisters - something which all four of us celebrated.
As always, a pleasure to behold the development of the kids. B (9) is starting backwards crossovers, and getting close to a technically correct hockey stop. It was a comforting to hear him on the return trip expound a simple theory that one doesn't need to practice for speed unless one is practicing speed skating, better value to 'get it right' and the speed will come natural. J (11) continues to amble along at his own pace, but is finally looking a lot more comfortable in his action. E (7) is now confident and basically fluent on her feet, though she gets a bit worn before an hour is up. All three were beaming by the end of our session.
As for me, after blowing off the expected cobwebs (in less time than last week, thank goodness) I was spending my time on the basics, putting on bursts of speed to about 80% forwards and backwards. The new technique I was playing with was skating backwards, cutting my feet in outside edge small 'c's beneath my body as I did so. It's really a defender's movement, but I enjoy it and it's good for edge work. Only the one sliding spill at speed with no harm done.
Three hours of skating in a day! When I got home I was pretty hungry so gulped down a bowl of banana/cream/yoghurt before finishing off the rice and randang later in the evening.
Back on track. Now to work out what I can do to keep up the basic condition through the week (no more daylight saving, sad).
As always, a pleasure to behold the development of the kids. B (9) is starting backwards crossovers, and getting close to a technically correct hockey stop. It was a comforting to hear him on the return trip expound a simple theory that one doesn't need to practice for speed unless one is practicing speed skating, better value to 'get it right' and the speed will come natural. J (11) continues to amble along at his own pace, but is finally looking a lot more comfortable in his action. E (7) is now confident and basically fluent on her feet, though she gets a bit worn before an hour is up. All three were beaming by the end of our session.
As for me, after blowing off the expected cobwebs (in less time than last week, thank goodness) I was spending my time on the basics, putting on bursts of speed to about 80% forwards and backwards. The new technique I was playing with was skating backwards, cutting my feet in outside edge small 'c's beneath my body as I did so. It's really a defender's movement, but I enjoy it and it's good for edge work. Only the one sliding spill at speed with no harm done.
Three hours of skating in a day! When I got home I was pretty hungry so gulped down a bowl of banana/cream/yoghurt before finishing off the rice and randang later in the evening.
Back on track. Now to work out what I can do to keep up the basic condition through the week (no more daylight saving, sad).
Personal Training - 6 days, end of daylight, dynamic shots
I haven't gone for six days without a skate since sometime last
winter. That's a long time. For a combination of reasons (ie.
game/skate fatigue from last weekend, slight 'tear' (?) in a rear left
hip region muscle, time and energy), I didn't push my return to the
skates, even extended by an extra day after I felt fit and fine and up
to it. But by yesterday afternoon I knew that there'd be no excuse for
failing to go out in the evening. Being the last day of daylight
savings time I certainly didn't want to waste the final opportunity to
take advantage of the time zone. In past years of spent the eve
sighting on the balcony watching the sun set. This time, watched it go
down as I skated up the home hill after a fifty minute session.
It was hard yards, just getting to the schoolyard was tiring. And then it was hard to keep pushing along with a basic shooting drill (a set of 25 each for four varieties of shot from 15', series of 50 from 30'), let alone the skating equivalent of a trudge up the hill as the sun set. Goodbye daylight skating and after work workouts for a few months!
Today being Sunday, I took advantage of fine weather and went down in the late morning for a longer session (was gone for over ninety minutes). I did the usual 4 sets of 25 shots at 15', but then mixed it up with a hundred dynamic shots after pick up in the Offensive zone and release while moving from the 15' circle. Just to add a bit of pizzaz to it, I counted rebound goals also (being one where I get the rebound while the puck is still moving and within the 15' circle after carooming off either the goal or the concrete 'backboard' gutter edging), and kept the stat for getting a rebound goal off a goal rebound. Good fun, quite a bit of variety in what I could do with puckhandling and suchlike, and reasonable enough results. Also, the realisation that getting the rebounds almost doubles the goal haul. There's a lesson in that!
Quiet Eye training was mainly, in the dynamic shooting, watch the puck onto the stick and then watch the goal for the final glide to the shooting circle, and on the way home, pick spots to focus on on the road ahead - changing up to the next arbitrary spot rather than scanning the road surface directly. All good.
Then I had half an hour before departing to pick up three grandkids for our traditional Sunday Skate at the Ice Arena!
Shooting Stats for the weekend were:
Saturday: 4 3 5 3 (FH sp, FH, FF Sp, BH @ x25 @ 30')
(50 x FH at 30') 6
Sunday: 6 8 6 0 (FH sp, FH, FF Sp, BH @ x 25 @ 30')
(100 dynamic at 15') 18-16-2 (sp, rb,sp+rb)
It was hard yards, just getting to the schoolyard was tiring. And then it was hard to keep pushing along with a basic shooting drill (a set of 25 each for four varieties of shot from 15', series of 50 from 30'), let alone the skating equivalent of a trudge up the hill as the sun set. Goodbye daylight skating and after work workouts for a few months!
Today being Sunday, I took advantage of fine weather and went down in the late morning for a longer session (was gone for over ninety minutes). I did the usual 4 sets of 25 shots at 15', but then mixed it up with a hundred dynamic shots after pick up in the Offensive zone and release while moving from the 15' circle. Just to add a bit of pizzaz to it, I counted rebound goals also (being one where I get the rebound while the puck is still moving and within the 15' circle after carooming off either the goal or the concrete 'backboard' gutter edging), and kept the stat for getting a rebound goal off a goal rebound. Good fun, quite a bit of variety in what I could do with puckhandling and suchlike, and reasonable enough results. Also, the realisation that getting the rebounds almost doubles the goal haul. There's a lesson in that!
Quiet Eye training was mainly, in the dynamic shooting, watch the puck onto the stick and then watch the goal for the final glide to the shooting circle, and on the way home, pick spots to focus on on the road ahead - changing up to the next arbitrary spot rather than scanning the road surface directly. All good.
Then I had half an hour before departing to pick up three grandkids for our traditional Sunday Skate at the Ice Arena!
Shooting Stats for the weekend were:
Saturday: 4 3 5 3 (FH sp, FH, FF Sp, BH @ x25 @ 30')
(50 x FH at 30') 6
Sunday: 6 8 6 0 (FH sp, FH, FF Sp, BH @ x 25 @ 30')
(100 dynamic at 15') 18-16-2 (sp, rb,sp+rb)
Guru Miska
What's a hockey blog without a cat photo?
Mishka
Not a lot! Thanks to Miska the
Blogger for answering my question on the help forum when I had an issue
with a post I'd made and the fact that it imported a bunch of strange
script onto this blog with weird results. It keeps my faith going in
the power of the internet whenever I experience the helpfulness of my
web bretheren.
Saturday 5 April 2014
Thoughts on Vision
One of my links on the previous 'skate'n'surf' post was to an academic paper on perception/decision research. A cursory scan through various of the web resources available on the topic fairly quickly brought me to the work of Joan Vickers of the University of Calgary and her work on 'Quiet Eye' as a trait of elite athletes. Considering the visuality of the subject matter, there isn't much obviously on Youtube about it, and scattered works elsewhere (generally leading to proprietory/paid subscription sites, etc). As a firm believer in a free internet, I was therefore forced back onto my own recent experiences. I'll list a few of them here, analyse them later.
The 'frozen moment' in the crease just before I scored my goal in last week's semi-final.
The 'frozen moment' of my second game of icehockey, subsequent to which I avoided crashing into someone's face.
Confirmation of the first 'frozen moment' when was talking to a goaltending friend on Wednesday night at the game and I mentioned how time had seemed to stand still, and his immediate response had been 'and then a gap of a few inches opened up for you to pop the puck in?' So, it's not an experience subject to myself only, others know of it.
Watching the A Graders scan the ice as they glided around, absorbing and deciding.
The progress of learning a skill, increasing reliance on internal feedback as the skill develops, earlier relative benefit of external feedback during early stages of skill acquisition, the importance of not overloading with feedback in the earliest stages.
The general pattern of 'quiet eye' relying on less but longer gazes to build the information bank upon which the decision reflex operates (with the almost axiomatic culmination of a 'play' being in a gaze of a second or more at the goal, and two seconds on the puck, before a shot).
The need to not scan the eye with the moving puck, once it has been 'fixed' during a gaze, it seems that a moving focus will lower the rate of information processing (the brain does best with one thing at a time when these two trade off processing space).
Training in Quiet Eye tends to use visual tracking technologies to show athletes their performance on this axis when training them up initially.
Query whether similar effect can be generated through discipline training 'in the raw'?
The 'frozen moment' in the crease just before I scored my goal in last week's semi-final.
The 'frozen moment' of my second game of icehockey, subsequent to which I avoided crashing into someone's face.
Confirmation of the first 'frozen moment' when was talking to a goaltending friend on Wednesday night at the game and I mentioned how time had seemed to stand still, and his immediate response had been 'and then a gap of a few inches opened up for you to pop the puck in?' So, it's not an experience subject to myself only, others know of it.
Watching the A Graders scan the ice as they glided around, absorbing and deciding.
The progress of learning a skill, increasing reliance on internal feedback as the skill develops, earlier relative benefit of external feedback during early stages of skill acquisition, the importance of not overloading with feedback in the earliest stages.
The general pattern of 'quiet eye' relying on less but longer gazes to build the information bank upon which the decision reflex operates (with the almost axiomatic culmination of a 'play' being in a gaze of a second or more at the goal, and two seconds on the puck, before a shot).
The need to not scan the eye with the moving puck, once it has been 'fixed' during a gaze, it seems that a moving focus will lower the rate of information processing (the brain does best with one thing at a time when these two trade off processing space).
Training in Quiet Eye tends to use visual tracking technologies to show athletes their performance on this axis when training them up initially.
Query whether similar effect can be generated through discipline training 'in the raw'?
Thursday 3 April 2014
Analytics - What makes a great player?
While surfing the outer region of the Habs' hockeysphere, in a 'fanpost' seeking to crowdsource raw passing data from NHL games for an amateur advanced statistics project, I came across references to the book/concept of 'Soccernomics'. Which in turn led me into the region of soccermetrics. Which still seemed a little amateur.
So, knowing that the Moneyball Concept seems to be most developed in American sport, I drifted to the NFLsphere and discovered a nascent, monetised version of advanced analytic concepts at work in relation to american football, and signs of the self reflexive awareness of this intellectual movement - where it ties in to the growing movement of industrial level analytics in the 'real world' in general.
Of course, the academic psychologists would have had to have been amongst the first on the field, and it is just like them and their sense of humour to have used basketball as the subject of their seminal study applying the science to the art of the sport. Needless to say, and staying within the psychological zone, their sub-industry has grown in a fractal bloom (eg this meta-analysis of the field of perception/expertise). Which is getting ultimately to the core questions, what makes a great player?
Moving back into the world of the hockeysphere, I passed through the more analytic oriented form of "sabermetric" moneyball logic in its native sport of baseball,before ultimately returning to one of my favorite hockey analytics sites for a good read.
So, knowing that the Moneyball Concept seems to be most developed in American sport, I drifted to the NFLsphere and discovered a nascent, monetised version of advanced analytic concepts at work in relation to american football, and signs of the self reflexive awareness of this intellectual movement - where it ties in to the growing movement of industrial level analytics in the 'real world' in general.
Of course, the academic psychologists would have had to have been amongst the first on the field, and it is just like them and their sense of humour to have used basketball as the subject of their seminal study applying the science to the art of the sport. Needless to say, and staying within the psychological zone, their sub-industry has grown in a fractal bloom (eg this meta-analysis of the field of perception/expertise). Which is getting ultimately to the core questions, what makes a great player?
Moving back into the world of the hockeysphere, I passed through the more analytic oriented form of "sabermetric" moneyball logic in its native sport of baseball,before ultimately returning to one of my favorite hockey analytics sites for a good read.
Wednesday 2 April 2014
50th Anniversary Game - Redwings 6 d Falcons 1
I went to watch the IHSA A Grade '50th Anniversary Game' kick off the winter season. Got there in the first intermission with a scoreline of 2-1. Quite a few had turned up to mark the occasion, perhaps a couple hundred. Unlike this time last season, I recognised a few faces in the crowd and a few more on the ice. Which made it all a bit like a community event (albeit with ice hockey's edge as compared to the comradeship of the inline crowd on Saturday).
Game score was 6-1 at the end, and a good bit of narkiness was showing between the teams through the last period. One of the Falcons was sent off after taking a penalty for fighting, I suspect it was a major within five minutes of full time. The game was studded with penalties both ways. The only obviously significant injury was a concussed redwing assisted off the ice after he slammed his own head into the boards unassisted after failing to properly complete a check (this is a 'full checking league' at A Grade level).
Difference between the teams to my eye was the goalies. The Redwing's goalie was almost impenetrable whereas the Falcon keeper kept getting screened for relatively soft shots. The standard was good to watch. I found it particularly interesting how, at this level, it's doing the little things right that make a cumulative difference. Also, the skill level is an order of magnitude or two above what I participate with.
I won't go every Wednesday to watch the A Grade games, but will make the effort perhaps fortnightly over winter. Watching is a good way to learn.
For me, this was my third day in a row with absolutely no skating of any description. That's the longest I've gone since before Christmas!
Game score was 6-1 at the end, and a good bit of narkiness was showing between the teams through the last period. One of the Falcons was sent off after taking a penalty for fighting, I suspect it was a major within five minutes of full time. The game was studded with penalties both ways. The only obviously significant injury was a concussed redwing assisted off the ice after he slammed his own head into the boards unassisted after failing to properly complete a check (this is a 'full checking league' at A Grade level).
Difference between the teams to my eye was the goalies. The Redwing's goalie was almost impenetrable whereas the Falcon keeper kept getting screened for relatively soft shots. The standard was good to watch. I found it particularly interesting how, at this level, it's doing the little things right that make a cumulative difference. Also, the skill level is an order of magnitude or two above what I participate with.
I won't go every Wednesday to watch the A Grade games, but will make the effort perhaps fortnightly over winter. Watching is a good way to learn.
For me, this was my third day in a row with absolutely no skating of any description. That's the longest I've gone since before Christmas!
Tuesday 1 April 2014
Coaches
In about a year and a half I've had the following coaches for at least one session. I learned huge things from them all and I hope to be able to do them credit with my skating and playing.
Skating: Alessandra, Deb, Bernie,
Ice Hockey: Cory, Mick, Chris, Justine, Henry, Christian
Inline Hockey: Peter, Josh
I've also had some one-liners thrown at me at times by some pretty high level coaches when I've been skating in general sessions, all of which were bang on point and helped me immensely.
And then there's all them dudes on the internet (I'll do them credit in future posts).
In near future there's a reasonable chance of having some sessions under the tutelage of Debbie Strome (journeying skating coach at all levels of Australian and North American ice hockey). Which would be really good. If it happens, will be in April.
Skating: Alessandra, Deb, Bernie,
Ice Hockey: Cory, Mick, Chris, Justine, Henry, Christian
Inline Hockey: Peter, Josh
I've also had some one-liners thrown at me at times by some pretty high level coaches when I've been skating in general sessions, all of which were bang on point and helped me immensely.
And then there's all them dudes on the internet (I'll do them credit in future posts).
In near future there's a reasonable chance of having some sessions under the tutelage of Debbie Strome (journeying skating coach at all levels of Australian and North American ice hockey). Which would be really good. If it happens, will be in April.
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