TIP 4: Control your Core COMMON ERROR: Players that use their right leg as a counter- balance (ten-pin bowling action), gunslingers or players that fall to the left or right of their intended target after contact.
CRITICAL FACTOR: Turning the ball towards your target prior to executing. Your consistent preparation footwork will provide a foundation for core balance control.
OUTCOMES: Maintaining core balance at and after contact will maximize your ability to hit through the ball with your complete body mass, also positioning you to maximize stick acceleration.
Note: Newton’s 2nd Law: Mass x Acceleration =Force or translated for hockey players Core Balance x Stick Speed = Hard Hitting.
TIP 7
through to your left side will result in a bend in both knees marginally > 90º. The left foot should bear your weight and the right foot providing no more than a point of stability (pointe position).
TIP 6: Bend Your Left Knee COMMON ERROR: Far too often we see players that are incapable of transferring their weight effectively. Weight is often distributed between your legs and an inability to bend either leg to the required extent results.
CRITICAL FACTOR: As your left foot hits the ground your left quadricep muscle should begin to bear your weight tension and as your weight transfer completes your left knee should absorb your weight transference by bending.
OUTCOMES: A vertical line can be drawn from your toes through your knee-cap ending between your eyes and your left knee should be bent approaching 90º with your tibia (shinbone) perpendicular to the ground.
TIP 7: Foot Position COMMON ERROR: Placing your foot perpendicular to the direction of intended ball travel can over time create the threat of ankle and knee issues. Additionally, it limits weight transfer- ence and rotational ability.
CRITICAL FACTOR: Focus on placing your left foot down in a natural position that is comfortable and does not create any unnecessary stressors on your joints. Usually this is towards your intended target without overforcing your foot placement in that direction.
OUTCOMES: Striking the ball with an “open” foot placement will enable the knee to bend naturally encouraging an effective transfer of weight. Additionally, it will provide a freedom to push your right shoulder to the target.
TIP 5: Transfer your Weight COMMON ERROR: Players that don’t use their legs appropri- ately will not be able to transfer their weight effectively. A straight left leg or small hitting stride will minimize the distance that your weight can be shifted.
CRITICAL FACTOR: Having the ability to move your center of gravity from above your right knee as the right foot hits the ground to above and beyond your left knee as your left foot hits the ground.
OUTCOMES: Effectively shifting your weight from your right side 20
TIP 8: Footwork COMMON ERROR: Shuffle step or slide step prior to contact. See Tip 1.
CRITICAL FACTOR: The right foot needs to cross behind the left foot in the penultimate hitting stride. This is the critical foun- dation of a consistent hitting action. Every player that can hit effectively initiates this step innately.
OUTCOMES: Stepping the right foot behind the left foot cre- ates a torquing action capable of generating maximum energy while maintaining a consistently level head.
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