LATERAL HOPS

Lateral Hops are performed in a variety of ways. A hop is performed on a single leg, landing on the same leg. Distance traveling either vertically or linear is never really an issue. The Primary Focus of Lateral Hops is to allow the athlete to focus on the Loading Phase of their stride controlling lateral forces. When you land, your hip joint should be slightly above your knee joint. Your chin, hip knee and ankle should all be in line to establish firm support. Lateral hops also help the athlete focus on ability to stabilize using the inside or outside part of your foot. This skill set will then transfer to the efficient use of the inside and outside edges while skating.

LATERAL HOPS – MINI HURDLE (MEDIAL / LATERAL)

Lateral Box w/ Mini Hurdle are part of our Lateral Hop Series and are taught in a specific progression. The Primary Focus of these hops are to help the athlete focus on ability to stabilize using the inside or outside part of your foot during the landing phase of a skate stride. The more stable the foot is during the landing phase; the more balance is created to allow power generated to transfer forward by allowing the skate blade to track straight. The single most difficult thing will be getting your arm mechanics correct, which are extremely important and very relative to balance and ability to generate power. Arm action is opposite leg action. 

Lateral Hops w/ Mini Hurdle (Medial / Lateral): Pause

The main focus of the pause is controlled deceleration, focusing on a quiet soft landing with proper arm exchange during and after each hop. Emphasis will also be learning to utilize both the inside and outside part of your foot. Both to take off and landing

• Begin, in single leg stance, on your lead leg, parallel to a mini hurdle
• Drop and load your lead hip with your trail leg bent at 90° and slightly behind you
• Your arms are bent at 90° with lead hand near your waist and trail hand extended forward
• Hop laterally over the hurdle, landing quietly and softly back in your original starting position
• Drive your trail knee and lead arm upward to help generate vertical power as you hop
• Getting your hands coordinated opposite with your feet is a big deal
• Pause for 2 sec on your landing and repeat back the opposite direction
• Switch legs and repeat