Around-the-Rink Endurance Lap
Endurance & Recovery
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Build basic skating endurance by completing multiple slow continuous laps around the rink perimeter.
What you need
- hockey stick
- ice
Your focus
Cardiovascular endurance at young ages is built through sustained low-intensity aerobic activity, which develops the heart and lung capacity for more demanding training later. Rink laps build endurance in a familiar, non-threatening format that is easy to understand and complete. Consistent low-intensity skating volume at this age directly accelerates skating economy and endurance development.
Players skate continuously around the rink perimeter in the same direction.
Coach sets a slow, sustainable pace, players must be able to hold a conversation while skating.
Complete 4 laps without stopping; coach encourages and motivates.
Alternate direction on the next set to balance edge development.
Goal
You've got it when you finish the final lap at close to the same pace you started, still moving forward, breathing in control.
Helpful cues
- Steady pace, you are not racing
- Long, smooth strokes, save energy for every lap
- Breathe through your nose and out through your mouth
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Allow players to glide (rest) for 5 seconds between laps as needed.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a puck carry on the second set of laps.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.