Edge of Excellence

10. Explosive Starts

here are many factors which contribute to being able to start explosively from a standing-still position. Just as important in the game of hockey, is how to become explosive from a moving position, for example, the ability to change gears and explode around a defenceman. However, here I’m only going to touch on two small but important points relating to explosive starts from a stationary position using a "V" start or open face take-off.

Drive Off Full Blade First

Off The Ball of The Foot Illustration

Many players are taught to take off on a quick start from the balls of their feet rather than the full blade on the inside edge. I encourage players to try taking off first from the full blade, then to drive off the ball of the foot. On a quick take off what we are trying to do, in part, is get as much explosive movement from the plantar flexion, i.e. the ankle extension. If the player starts his take off on the balls of his feet with his heels up, the ankles are already partially extended so there is very little additional explosive extension he can get from these joints. When players hit first off the mid part of the blade on the inside edge, and then explode off the ball of the foot, and do this for the first three or four steps, firstly, they grip the ice better because they have more blade on the ice and, secondly, they are able to get a more powerful ankle extension.

Drive Off Full Blade Illus.

Drive Off Ball of Foot Illus.

As I already pointed out under the section dealing with a full extension, many players are also taught on quick starts to take shorter strides, i.e. don’t fully extend your legs on a quick start because you want to move your legs as quickly as possible. I encourage players to take a full extension even in those first few steps. If you don’t, then you are not opening the knee bend up sufficiently to get the most powerful drive possible out of each stride. You can still move your legs rapidly even with a full extension.

As I said previously, I have merely touched on two small but significant points regarding the open face take-off which may be different than what many players are being taught. There are, of course, many factors involved in achieving an explosive, open face take-off, but also in relation to other types of take-offs as well.

Because there are different views on the appropriate technique in many areas of skating, we want players to fully understand why they are applying a certain technique. We never tell players they have to do it a certain way. We have them apply a certain technique at the school but remind them that ultimately the technique they chose to apply has to be the technique that works best for them.