Winters are busy for me. My hockey-playing son is at the arena twice a week while my speed-skating guy is on the ice three days a week. If you include my own speed skating and on-ice coaching, I spent approximately 12 hours a week at an arena this past winter not including driving to and from the arena, and the amount of time I spend in the changerooms helping my kids get in and out of equipment.
Then the end of March arrives and *record needle across an album* SCREECH… everything comes to a complete halt.
This year, I learned a very important lesson in keeping skills up even when the sport you love isn’t in season. Throughout the fall, winter, and spring, I put off practicing my swimming for triathlons, specifically open-water swims. While I was good-to-go in the pool, I realized the error of my ways when I jumped into the frigid 15-degree water of Lake Ontario and couldn’t adjust to the cold temp.
Lesson learned: It's important to work at your skills all-year-round even if you're not participating in your seasonal sport at the time.
In the meantime, even if your hockey-loving child isn’t on the ice during the dog days of summer, you can still help keep him fit so he’s ready to go when the season begins.
So if summer months have turned your kids' hockey schedule from "got game" to "not game," here are some fun ways to help keep them active.
Work on speed and agility by creating a homemade obstacle course using body exercises and items you have at home.
Need some inspiration?
Simple Obstacle Course No. 1
Items Needed: Skipping rope, cones or chalk to mark out the start and finish of a 100m run
Here's How To Do It:
Simple Obstacle Course No. 2
Items Needed: Chalk
Here's How To Do It:
Grab your sneakers because it’s time to start running. Hockey is based on short periods of intense physical activity. When my youngest gets off the ice from his shift he is drenched in sweat.
A shuttle run course is essentially two cones set up 20m apart. You run back and forth between the cones for a certain amount of time. This drill helps increase endurance and improve speed, while the quick turnarounds at each cone help work on agility. Don’t have cones? Use rocks, sidewalk chalk to draw lines or even use tape for lines. It doesn’t have to be exact. Start off at two minutes and build your way up.
What better way to keep up their skills than playing the game they love. Get the neighbourhood kids (and adults!) together for a good old game of ball hockey. Not only will you be keeping the kids active, you’ll be creating memories.
A strong core is essential for any sport. My kids love being able to beat mom at challenges but a plank challenge is one where I can give them a run for their money. Make sure your kids focus on form—have them keep their butts down and make sure their body is in a straight line.
Never underestimate how simply playing and having fun with your kids will go a long way in keeping them fit until they are back on the ice. Need some more inspiration? Here are ten fun and easy ways to get active with your kids.
This is proudly sponsored by our friends at Kraft.
www.kraftcanada.com
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