Page 25 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 53

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #53 April 2017 25

HDT STRENGTH

Performance Training, Fitness and Nutrition www.hdtstrength.com

www.hdtstrength.wordpress.coma

You Cannot Deny Preparation:

Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail

season keep these two things in - Improved mobility and if you train and prepare as if
By Jordan Bent
mind: movement patterns (= better you’re going to play at the level
ith many of your regular 1) You DO NOT have to be skating, puck protection, recovery above that?
Wseasons coming to an the strongest in April, May, and pushes, ability to pivot, change One of the most valuable lessons
end and playoff preparation June. You need to use those directions with full body control) I learned when making the jump
beginning, it is time to put = more economical movements from Midget to Junior hockey
months to prepare yourself to be
some consideration into how and energy conservation, allowing
the strongest, fastest, and most was a conversation with Mark
you will prepare and where you explosive athlete you can be in you to think more clearly and Hunter after being cut by the
want to play next season. By mid-August to September when perform better. London Knights in 2006 (yeah,
this time hopefully you have, your pre-season is beginning. - + Increased confidence from that’s right, I couldn’t beat out
honestly and constructively, knowing you put in the work Steve Mason for his job) was that
compared yourself against your 2) You CAN NOT become and did everything you could to you need to master the previous
competition for the team you the strongest, fastest, or most prepare yourself. level before you can excel at
want to play for next season and explosive athlete by training Here’s why short term fixes, or the next level. If you can truly

have an understanding of the like an animal in August if you cramming in the last couple of appreciate this perspective, there
areas that you need to improve haven’t built a foundation in the weeks before training camp isn’t
on. previous months, allowing for the choice you should make. should be no reason that you
your body to adapt and progress. don’t try to be the best you can
When preparing for your Because ultimately failing to be at any level to be sure you can
off-season, which I hope is There is no magic fix for not prepare is preparing to fail: do the same at the next level.
after a nice playoff run and putting in the work. Practice - Burn out I wish you all the best in your
having reached your goals of does not necessarily make - Injury preparation and will help any
this season, you need to place everything perfect but consistent - Over training (feel weak during serious athlete looking to take
serious consideration on how practise, with a plan, does camp) his/her game to the next level
you will prepare for next season make the things you improve - No time to make adjustments with training programs available
to be even better. I definitely permanent. - Likely no direction because you online and/or via smart phone
encourage a couple of weeks to Here are the benefits to are just training without a plan app (Android and iOS) for those

re-focus and take your mind off investing in a progressive - Improved conditioning but looking for direction on goal
the game. This refresher can be training plan with a quality no gains in strength, explosive setting and how to train properly.
huge in allowing you to maintain strength and conditioning power, or performance mechanics I will also be releasing my
your focus on improvement coach: When setting goals for the off- summer camp dates by the end
throughout the duration of your season and upcoming season of the week for those who are
summer training. That being - Assessment of imbalances, I give my athletes a couple of
weaknesses, strengths, and goal guidelines: either close to the Niagara area
said a 2-3 month break is more
than a refresher, and will likely setting • Think about where they will be or are interested in relocating to
lead to you being surpassed by - Muscle development playing next year (or are setting put in their best off-season yet.

your competition. - Muscle recruitment out to play) “There comes a time when
- Progressively increased • And then ask yourself how winter asks… What did you do
So as you begin to evaluate
flexibility dominant you will be at that level in the summer?”
yourself and think about the off-