Reaching the Next Level in Hockey Through Training the Burggraf Way

Reaching the Next Level in Hockey through Training is one of a series of articles written by successful athletes and or trainers for Gripstik that briefly acknowledge the importance of work...hard work off the court or ice in order to accomplish your goals. These days, cross training is necessary for all sports to strengthen all the "weak links" in your personal program. Thanks go out to Frank Burggraf from “Buggraf Skating Skills Training School” for this discussion.

To reach the next level of play in any sport takes more than just practice.

In hockey, there are many skills to master in order to impact the game. Skating is the single most important aspect, but forearm stability and strength on the stick are very important as well. In every game there is a battle between one, two or three skaters on the puck. The ability to exert power and strength over your opponent becomes increasingly more important the higher the level of play. A player needs to possess very strong forearm strength and stability while maintaining a balance between range of motion, endurance, quickness and speed, all while carrying the puck, protecting the puck, or battling an opponent for the puck. Too many times we see young High School or junior skaters coming out of exercise programs that focus solely on the weight room for power and strength. Unknowingly, they have increased their power at the sacrifice of their "fluidity".

Focused training specific to the puck control, shooting and stick handling skills that employ the stick stability and strength is critical for a player to develop. Quick hands, soft hands, and feathered passing with control of the stick should be the goal of all young skaters to develop. The Quick Released shot, with a short delivery will give the skater a huge advantage in the scoring lanes.

We have found that the GripStik is unique in our developmental programs for what it offers the skater. The workouts balance out the need for endurance while working the muscle recruitment for the quick twitch muscle firing skills. It allows the extensors and flexors of the forearm to be targeted with the simulated muscle movements that hockey demands from its players. The Gripstik does not bring in heavy resistance training. Instead, it is specific to the requirements of the game of hockey and covers all of the needs of the sport.

To make the next level of play, a player must improve in all his weaknesses and improve upon his strengths. There is not a lot of difference between most players at one level. It would be in the best interest of each skater to add or gain an advantage over the opponent. We have seen great results in our clients using the Gripstik. From the NHL down to the squirt player, all gain from specific, targeted training and the Gripstik is an important aspect of our ability to bring a skater to the next level of play.....

Here is a list of some satisfied customers who use the Gripstik Wrist Exerciser:

-Bill Collins: 5 time World Arm Wrestling Champion and Captain of TEAM USA Arm Wrestling

Read up on Bill’s tips to Arm Wrestling Training at http://www.gripstik.com/arm-wrestling.html.

-Brandi Profitt: Nationally Ranked Professional Rock Climber

Read Brandi’s review of Gripstik at http://www.gripstik.com/rock-climbing.html

- Larry Eastman: MN State Racquetball champion in Singles and Doubles

Read Larry’s Top 10 Racquetball Training Tips at http://www.gripstik.com/racquetball-equipment.html

-Joe Day and Curtis Brown: NHL Players

Read Frank Burggraf’s (Burggraf Skating and Skills On and Off Ice Training Centers) Article on Training for Hockey Success at http://www.gripstik.com/ice-hockey-training-equipment.html

- Joe Stansberry: USGA Champion and PGA Champions Tour Player

Read Joe’s review on how the gripstik helped him when he was ailing from carpal tunnel syndrome at http://www.gripstik.com/therapy-carpal-tunnel.html

For more reviews and testimonials go to http://www.gripstik.com/Strength_Training_Home_Exercise_Equipment_testimonials.html