Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 113072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“Right. Good. Now let’s say you’re here, defending the puck, and you get the pass off to your winger. The next thing you need to do is explode in that direction.” I point to center ice. “Show me how you’re getting there.”
Before I even finish the question, he obliges, pushing off with his right foot and surging in the opposite direction. It’s impressive, but there’s a slight delay in his takeoff before he rockets across the surface.
Bingo. “Good stuff,” I praise. “You’ve got incredible power. But the downside of your wide stance is the time it takes to transition into a sprint. What if I could shave a fractional second off your acceleration?”
“I’m listening,” he says. “Hockey is a game of inches.”
“Right. So here I am, in a rock-solid defensive position…” I mimic his defensive stance. “But try shifting your weight before you actually move. Watch my edges.”
I demonstrate.
“See the difference? It’s not much, but in your game…”
“Every bit counts,” he finishes.
“Yup. Now it’s your turn—I want you to focus on that weight shift. Feel your edges change before you move.”
“All right. We’ll try it your way.”
The captain is a quick study, and I’m not surprised when it takes only a few tries before he gets the motion I’m looking for. “Yes!” I shout. “Now faster. Make it one smooth movement.”
But a new voice rings out before he can do it again. “Sorry we’re late.”
We both glance up to see two newcomers stepping onto the ice.
“Ah,” Tremaine says. “Coach Carson, this is Alexei Petrov, one of our veterans, and this youngster is Liam O’Connell. You guys didn’t see Merritt, did you? I asked him to come, too.”
I’m not surprised when both guys shake their heads.
“Your captain was just working on a quicker start out of the corners. Now he’s going to make another attempt.” I clap my hands. “Let’s go, Tremaine. Share with the class.”
He chuckles. And maybe it’s the pressure of being watched by his teammates, but Tremaine rolls his edges once more and bingo. He skates off like lightning.
“How does that feel?” I ask when he returns.
His grin is bashful. “Like I’ve just found an extra gear. And it’s just… easier this way?”
“That’s the whole point. It’s supposed to be easy. My job is to find all the little ways to make your skating more fluid. Simple fixes. If we’re lucky, they’ll add up to a real difference. Now let’s warm up Petrov and O’Connell, shall we? Step right over here, boys.”
Tremaine knows what’s coming. With a smirk, he watches me dust Petrov on the first drill and O’Connell on the second one.
Both take their beatings with cheer, and now I have their attention. And then we get down to work ironing out a few issues I have with their individual strides.
A half hour later, I’ve dispensed some crucial words of encouragement and advice, and I’ve timed everyone’s sprints. Petrov is a very fast skater, but there’s always room for improvement.
“Your strides are some of the quickest on the team,” I tell the panting defenseman. “But that fast stride isn’t getting the glide I’d expect from someone of your strength, so you’re not maximizing your efficiency. Can I take a look at your blades?”
The tall Russian shrugs. “Okay.”
I kneel down to examine the steel, running my thumb carefully along the edge. “These are pretty traditional. Half-inch radius, right?”
Slugging down water, he nods. “What I have always used.”
“Have you ever considered trying a profiled blade?” I ask.
He makes a face. “Nyet. New shit is not for me. We have an old proverb in Russian—trendy shit will fuck up your game.”
I laugh. “Well, I know some Russians, too,” I counter. “They also say that the devil is not as terrible as he is painted.”
He stares. “That is a Russian proverb!”
“I know, and I’m not trying to waste your time. I’m making this suggestion because I want you to have better control and a more efficient energy transfer. What if you tried three practices on the new blade? Just three. If you hate it, you never have to wear them again.”
He considers this. “You really think it could help?”
“I do,” I say firmly.
Alexei nods slowly. “Fine, Coach Zoe. I will give it a shot. Just in practice.”
I smile, pleased he’s willing to try. “Great. I’ll talk to Bernie, and we’ll have a pair ready for you tomorrow. Just keep an open mind, okay?”
“Yes. If you are right, I’ll give you a fat bottle of Russian vodka.”
“Bolshoye spasibo.” That means thank you very much in Russian.
First he looks startled, then he grins broadly. “I like you, Coach Zoe.”
“Aw, shucks. Too bad we’re out of time for today.” I glance at my watch. “Catch all of you later?”
“Of course,” Tremaine says. “And let us know if there’s any way we can help make your transition to the team smoother.”