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.

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

Adding a Touch / Pause to this drill helps the athlete focus on the Transition Phase of the skating stride. The focus is a smooth and powerful transition in change of direction. 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, 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
• Without pause, quickly repeat back the opposite direction
• Pause after the sec hop for 2 sec and repeat
• Switch legs and repeat