Summer Off Season Training

Tryouts are over…….You know where you’re playing next season—AA, AAA, or moving up a level. That’s exciting. It’s also where most players make a critical mistake: They take their foot off the gas.

At Falcon’s Edge, we see it every year. Players think the hard part is done. In reality, May & June is where separation begins—not in September.

The players who take ownership of their summer are the ones who show up next season faster, more confident, and ready to make an impact.

Step 1: Reset Your Mindset

Before we talk about training, let’s get one thing clear:

• You are not training to “stay ready”

• You are training to change your game

Ask yourself:

• What held me back last season?

• Where did I struggle in games?

• What would make me more dangerous on the ice?

‍Be honest. That’s your starting point.

Step 2: Build Your Foundation (May–June)

This is the most important—and most overlooked—phase.

Right now, you’re not trying to be flashy. You’re building the base that everything else sits on.

Focus Areas:

• Edge control

• Stride mechanics

• Balance and stability

• Posture and knee bend

This is where technical power skating matters most.

At Falcon’s Edge, this is the phase where we slow things down and refine:

• Inside/outside edge control

• Proper stride extension and recovery

• Efficient body positioning

If your foundation isn’t right, speed work later won’t translate.

Step 3: Acceleration & Power (June–July)

Once your mechanics are clean, now we build explosiveness.

This is where players start to separate.

Focus Areas:

• First 3 strides (most important skill in hockey)

• Explosive starts

• Quick transitions

• Tight turns with speed

We train this through:

• High-intensity skating drills

• Resistance and overspeed work

• Small-area movement patterns

Games are won in short bursts—not long, straight-line skating.

Step 4: Game Application (July–August)

Now we connect everything to real hockey situations.

Focus Areas:

• Gap control

• Creating separation from defenders

• Agility in tight spaces

This is where skating becomes a weapon, not just a skill.

At Falcon’s Edge, we focus on:

• Decision-making at speed

• Competing in small areas

• Applying edges and acceleration under pressure

If it doesn’t transfer to the game, it doesn’t matter

Step 5: Consistency Over Intensity

Here’s the truth most players don’t want to hear:

One great session doesn’t change your game - Consistent sessions do.  The players who improve the most aren’t always the most talented—they’re the most consistent

Step 6: Train With Purpose

Every time you step on the ice this summer, ask: “What am I working on today?”

Not:

• “Just skating”

• “Just getting a workout”

Be specific:

• Today = edge control

• Tomorrow = first 3 strides

• Next session = tight turns under pressure

That’s how real development happens.

Final Thought: The Gap Is Built in the Summer

Come September, every player looks the same in warm-ups.

But within 2–3 shifts, it’s obvious:

• Who put in the work

• Who got faster

• Who improved their edges

• Who is now playing with confidence

And who didn’t.

From the Edge

If you’re serious about improving your skating this offseason, we’d love to work with you. At Falcon’s Edge, our focus is simple: Build better skaters who become more impactful hockey players. ‍Reach out today: info@falconsedge.ca