Resistance Band Stride Drill
Strength & Power
Legend
- player
- partner / opponent
- cones
- ball
How it works
Build skating power through resistance training by having a partner provide gentle resistance during a power skating drill.
What you need
- hockey stick
- resistance band or partner resistance
- ice
- cones (optional distance markers)
Your focus
Adding resistance to skating forces the stride muscles to work harder than normal, building the specific strength patterns needed for a more powerful skating stride. Partner resistance allows the exercise to be scaled precisely to the individual's ability and is safe for younger athletes. Overcoming resistance in practice creates a training adaptation that makes unresisted skating feel more powerful and explosive.
Player skates forward while a partner holds their shoulders and provides light resistance from behind.
Player drives forward for 20 feet against the resistance, focusing on full-stride extension.
Partner releases; player continues at full speed for 10 more feet, feeling the contrast of free skating.
Run 6 reps; switch roles.
Goal
You're there when you feel more resistance in your push but your stride length doesn't get shorter, power up, not slow down.
Helpful cues
- Push through the resistance, do not fight it, drive against it
- Full extension every stride even when it is harder
- When the resistance releases, your stride should feel like a rocket
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use very light resistance, partner provides barely any force, just enough to feel the concept.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Increase resistance to approximately 30% of the player's skating effort level for longer 30-foot distances.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.