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How to Increase Skating Endurance for Ice Hockey

STEP 1: Start at one goal line, near where the line touches the boards on the right side.
STEP 2: Skate hard toward the blue line. Stop at the line. Always stop facing the same direction.
STEP 3: Step to the left. Cross your feet over with each step. First step your right skate in front of your left skate, and then recover. Step your right skate behind your left skate, and then recover. Switch front and back with every step. Go as fast as you can.
STEP 4: Skate hard to the red line when you reach the boards on your left.
STEP 5: Cross your left skate in front and then in back of your right skate as you did with your right skate in step 3. Do this cross-step move until you reach the boards on your right.
STEP 6: Do the cross-step once again with your right skate leading, when you reach the second blue line.
STEP 7: Skate hard to the goal line.
STEP 8: Do the drill again, coming the other way.
STEP 9: Repeat twice.

STEP 1: Pair up with another player about your size.
STEP 2: Stand facing each other on a goal line. The player facing the boards is the one working. The other player will provide resistance. Both players should hold a stick chest high between them.
STEP 3: Try this to start - the player providing resistance should partially dig in his or her skates. The player who is working should then push the resisting player backward. Although this should be hard, the working player should be able to move forward.
STEP 4: Push the resisting player to the goal line. At the goal line, switch roles.
STEP 5: Repeat twice.

Tips & Warnings

Make sure you have plenty of water on hand to keep from getting dehydrated.
Be careful when practicing these drills - try to keep from overworking yourself.
Hockey is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek the proper equipment and training before undertaking this activity.