We have never had a season like last and hopefully we never will again. For us, it started and ended in the same month. Then allowed us to go back in smaller groups and no games, then ended again. This off-season has been way to long for this momma to take. How have we been dealing with it? Training, now is the time to be training hard for the upcoming season. I know, it's summer and it's hot. It's actually a drought here in Southern Manitoba and it is no joke here in farm country. So let's talk hockey, lol. As the kids have reached a more competitive level of the sport they have had to up their game considerably, this year even more so with both boys being selected to The Pilot Mound Hockey Academy. Emerging into a post-apocalyptic season will not be easy but we are doing our best to help them have a successful transition. First off, we are very grateful we turned our garage into a gym a few years back because when the pandemic hit and gyms were closed here we still had a safe space to train in mask free while waiting for a season to restart. We also made good use of our natural surrounding this winter and cleared off a large rink on the pond behind our house as well as flooded a smaller concrete pad beside the house for training. I believe the off season is a time for growth and to have some fun doing things to exercise different muscles while enjoying a less regimented schedule.
If your kids have tryouts coming up, they will be thankful for investing the time now when they arrive to camp in good physical shape. We have been at camps in the past and saw really good players roll in completely out of shape and unprepared for the season resulting in getting cut early. As they get older the competition keeps getting fiercer, building in the off season will only improve the athlete and his/her game, investing an hour or two a day is a small cost for big gains. If your athlete is only wanting to play rec hockey or just have fun, let them. You cannot make them live your dream. If they want it bad enough, they will do the work. We were pretty clear with our expectations of the kids before they signed on the dotted line. If we are investing this type of money, we expect you to invest this kind of work, they wanted it.
What's a week of training look like for our kids? For us we have done our own research as well as have had the kids with different trainers over the last few years so we have come up with a good mix for both of them. Both kids have different routines as age and position differ. Jack is 13 and is a player. Working on speed, agility, strength and flexibility. We don't want him lifting heavy weights as he is still growing so he does lots of body weight activities in a timed fashion to keep his heart rate up. Cardio for him involves biking, hill climbers or runs. We have started a short stretching routine as well to improve his flexibility. All in all he spends an hour to an hour and a half a day, 6 days a week training. Cameron on the other hand is 16 and a goalie. A completely different animal, if you are a goalie parent, you know what I mean. Cameron is focusing more on strength and flexibility. Every morning he gets up and grinds in a workout at 630. Yes, a.m. Then goes to his job at local farm for an 8 hour day of physical labor. Then 30 to 45 minutes a night of stretching with me. It is long days for sure and I am proud of him for staying the course. He knows what's at stake as there is 3 goalies selected for the team and he does not want to be the third. We will be adding in more cardio now for him as the season is quickly approaching.
What type of training is best for your child? Depends on sport, position, age and money. Hiring trainers, gyms memberships, buying equipment, etc. all adds up. If you can afford a trainer, go for it. I have had my kids with different trainers throughout the years and they were all fantastic. We repeat many of them but I like to find new coaches too so they get variation and a fresh perspective. If you are reading this, you have the world at your finger tips. I advise to spend some time on the internet to look up workouts by sport, age and position, you will get millions of hits. If you have a 13 year old player, look up bantam hockey player workouts. You can also narrow it down by adding home workouts or gym workouts or body-weight workouts. I think it is also important for us as parents to be involved in this process too and lets be for real, we can all use more family time and exercise.
Due to location we have opted to not do AAA or summer programs in the city and rely on renting ice when we can to keep them skating through June and July most years. This year has been different with the pandemic and restrictions so we are doing our best. In early August is when we seem to shift our mindset back to camps so they have a solid chunk of time spent back on ice well before the season starts. I have read many peoples opinions on this and I get some people play a 12 month schedule. Personally I think that is too taxing on the kids as well as us as parents. We live an hour and half southwest of Winnipeg. I work full time a half hour west of our home so logistically it is difficult to be running to the city 5 days a week. I know there are many of this area who choose to and that is great, it's just not for us.
No matter what your family chooses, it has to work for you and your family first. Not someone else's opinion of what you should be doing. Be realistic with your expectations, goals and time. I have enjoyed the training time with the boys this summer and after a year and a half of a pandemic we are more than ready to get back on the ice! I hope the tools we have given them help make the transition easier for them.