here are two agility drills i've used both as a player and coach. the first is off-ice, the second is on-ice. i threw videos of them on my blog, let me know what you think:

Off-ice Agility Drill
On-ice Agility Drill

XL Athlete just completed a 17-Week In-Season Training Manual for use by anyone who wants one. It originally stemmed from an in-season program made for Paul Martin, former Gopher and current New Jersey Devil by Cal Dietz.

It includes a two-to-three day strength program, several alternative workouts for injured athletes, adaptability training, prehab/preventative training, recovery and restoration work, nutrition information, and other related training information. Here is the link to the download page, which contains this manual in pdf format, as well as our other manuals and downloads:

In-Season Training Manual

If you have any questions or need anything else, just let me know.

Coach D

Hello coaches,

You guys may find this useful, as I have recently. It is a basic food chart, and I use it to help keep track of those kids to either need to gain weight or lose weight. For the latter group, it helps give the kids an indication of just how poor they are eating. For the former, it shows just how little they are eating. I track athletes for a few days or a week or so, printing off 7 sheets if needed.

It is really basic, and even if they do not do it as well as they should, it still gets them thinking about it. Here is the chart:

Food Charts

Thanks!
Coach D

Hello coaches, trainers, and enthusiasts,

We have made many new updates to the XL Athlete website as of late. We have added many new articles by Dr. Michael Yessis, found here:

[URL= url=http://www.xlathlete.com/browse_drills.jsp?sport_program_id=88&browse_sport_id=26&drill_type=1]XL Athlete Articles[/URL]

We have also put up four different levels of a seated upper body circuit, which we have used with success with athletes who have suffered a leg injury, but need to stay in shape. These can also be used by anyone looking for something different to do for the upper body:

Upper Body Circuit Level 1

Upper Body Circuit Level 2

Upper Body Circuit Level 3

Upper Body Circuit Level 4

Hope that helps you out!

Coach D

The University of Minnesota's General Fitness Manual was just added as a download to XL Athlete this morning. This manual is sent to all incoming athletes for purposes of introducing them to some of the drills and training that takes place at the university, as well as a means of improving general physical fitness.

Here is the link to the download page:

XL Athlete Download Page

Thanks,
Coach D

XL Athlete has just put up a Simple Series high volume 4-week program at their site. Basically, it is a quick-and-dirty program that requires only a stall mat, a bar, and some bumpers/weights. It can be done in any garage or small room where you have these items available. So if you do not have a lot of equipment at your gym, or train your son at home, this will work perfect. It is the first installment of the Simple Series excel-based workouts, and it targets work capacity and hypertrophy using basic lifts with higher volumes. Volume varies on a daily and weekly basis as well. A knowledge of fundamental exercises is required (such as squats, presses, and the Olympic Lifts).

Here is the link:

Simple Series High Volume Training

It says to log in, so if you haven't signed up, its free to do so and takes a second. Nothing costs money on this site, you just need a log in so that you can enter in your maxes, and have your program customized for you.

If you're like me, and many parents, I do not allow my kids to use "energy supplements" prior to practicing, playing, or working out. I also do not recommend them for my athletes, though that decision is ultimately up to their parents. The main reason is I am not confident in their efficacy nor necessarily their safety. This is NOT to say that all of these supplements (such as "Fast Twitch" and other types of workout stimulants) are dangerous, it is just that I would prefer to train my kids without taking a risk that I deem unnecessary. Especially in light of litigation and the fact that some athletes may have underlying health issues that I am not aware of.

If you are looking for ways of improving training without using drugs, you might want to check out this new article at XL Athlete:

Non-Pharmaceutical Ways of Improving Training

I hope that helps a bit, and good luck!
Coach D

XL Athlete just put up a new plyometric routine for hockey focusing on a higher level of "shock" to the neuromuscular system using a more intense exercise selection than the other routines on the website. Here is the drill sheet:

Total Body Shock Plyometric Workout

Thanks!
Coach D