Getting ready for the IIHF Inline World Cup

I'm sure this is how the pros get prepared.  Underwear and Shammys ironed - check!
Next is the dishes...

TannerHockey #5: T-Push Progression

Hi all,

First of all, if you haven't already, please see my you-tube video and subscribe to my channel.  If you subscribe it will make sure you are notified every time I make a new video, the link to my video is here, please click the subscribe button: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYM6MJHk3M

As promised, here is the follow-up clip on T-pushes.  Demonstrated is a progression series, whereby I go through the individual 'baby-steps' which combined make the 'game-ready' motion.

My advice, if you are looking to try this motion on for size but aren't sure where to start, watch this video carefully and try to emulate the progression, one step at a time.  It is worth mentioning at this stage that if you are experiencing difficultly executing this motion, it may have something to do with the combination of wheels and surface you are skating on:

• Soft wheels + grippy floor = tough work!  
• Hard wheels + slippery floor = DANGEROUS!!

He's where I get a bit technical...and perhaps say something surprising...I am always in the hunt for the very grippiest wheels on the planet!  In my opinion, using anything other than the grippiest wheels in existence is a negative for me and my game.  I rely on the grip to make the most of my pushes, and have less likelihood of slipping out at that crucial moment, as I'm sure all of us have at one time or another.  A counter to my point of view is that a less grippy or slightly worn wheel will give a tiny bit of slide which makes life easier - fair point - however, I would argue that with that bit of slide you lose something from your dynamic speed and pushes.  I would rather have to be stronger on my feet and use all my training for my pushes than make my stops easier - make sense!?

The key to this progression series is to recognise when starting off we are all likely to be better on one foot than the other, I was when I started practicing.  So I would encourage you just to work on the one side you feel more comfortable to start.  Once you are happy, try using it in training, give it a go when the right situation develops (see my last post on t-pushes for more on this).  I use the t-push almost always when defending a PK, and fast developing plays from just outside the slot.

Towards the end of the progression when I'm performing the full motion, I bring in a subtle but vital ingredient - the head look.  To look off the play to see the danger and potential pass recipient is essential, as you can be the fastest goalie in the world but if you don't know where you'll be heading on your skating or sliding path, you lose vital milliseconds!  We'll talk more about looking 'off the puck/ball' in future videos, but here is a taste of it early on.  Remember to go towards the player's stick, not his/her body!!

If you watch the video all the way to the end you will see me slip!  I could have edited this out, but actually it's an important point.  I slipped as in my mini-rink I get condensation and the floor is slightly damp on that one tile.  I require an absolutely spotless surface to play with my style of skating!  Anyone who knows me know I sweat almost worrying amounts during exercise, add kit and playing indoors then it becomes a problem.  My solution - Shamwow shammy leathers under my kit, I'll show more videos on my kit in future videos, but for now, here is the Amazon link to Shamwow, I wear them inside my shorts, around my wrists and ankles, its the only thing that gets me through four periods of a World Championship game:ShamWow with Amazon

Feel free to give feedback on Youtube about the blogs and clips, would be great to hear from you all.

Future blogs and films will cover everything from Techniques, to Nutrition, to Mental Strength, and Planning.  My goal is that all goalies, all over the world, have a way to grow and have support, so we can all raise our games by sharing knowledge, and make life miserable for forwards :)

You are not alone, if you are a goalie and you want help with anything, email me and I promise to respond and support you.

James Tanner

TannerHockey #2:T-Pushes

Hi all,

My idea is very simple - to create a worldwide hockey goalie community, my speciality being inline hockey.

First of all, if you haven't already, please see my you-tube video and subscribe to my channel.  If you subscribe it will make sure you are notified every time I make a new video, the link to my video is here, please click the subscribe button: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZbLB4ZZnEY

For those who don't know me, my name is James Tanner, I'm 28, I play for the London Street Warriors inline hockey team based in the UK, and have represented team Great Britain for both IIHF and IISHF organisations since 2005.  This year I should, if all goes to plan, be playing in Pool A of the IIHF world championships against the likes of the Czech Republic, USA, Canada and Sweden amongst others.  This series will chronicle my training leading up to the tournament but will also act as a coaching and information sharing medium.  Never having been coached for inline, it occurs to me how great it would be if I could go to the internet and someone knowledgeable was there and wanted to help me improve my hockey...I want to be that guy.

The clip is me, at a training session, taking some time out to practice t-pushes.  I have two movement sequences here:

• a triangle formation (simulating a passing play moving from the left point, to the slot, to the right point and back again)
• a rectangle formation (simulating a pass from a tight post angle, to the point, across to the far point, back down to the post angle, and back again)

These two passing plays are reminiscent of defending a penalty kill.

In my opinion the t-push in inline is a specialised move that few use in today's game.  T-pushes in inline require tons of strength, skill, control, and practice, and need to be used in the right situations.  It is a move that has both positives and negatives, which we can explore here:

Advantages vs. other methods of skating into position:

• It is quick, sharp and precise if executed correctly
• You can cover far greater distances in the same amount of time compared to simply drifting or stepping into position
• It allows you to play PKs with aggressive depth, while assessing the potential for a back door play
• It demonstrates confidence, it can be intimidating playing a goalie who really gets around the crease well

Disadvantages vs. other methods of skating into position:

• It is a tiring technique unless you have excellent conditioning, far more taxing than the ice skating equivalent
• On plays very close in, you open up the five hole and are not best placed to make a low pad save if a shot develops low on the side you are travelling
• You eat wheels!

In short there are times when the t-push is very effective, and others where it would be best to play a little deeper and be shot ready.  I will be posting a follow up movie for the t-push filmed on sport court, here the t-push is much less taxing because of the reduced friction compared to playing on a varnished floor.  I can go through the progression of t-push execution breaking down the steps, and if I can figure out the technology, maybe slow-motion.  

I cannot stress enough, if a goaltender has excellent powerful skating it is almost difficult to not be successful.  It is by far my most focused training area, and in my coaching it is where I make sure my students are challenged.

One thing I do to get the conditioning and explosive power detailed here and in future clips is the Insanity workout by Beachbody, to find out more, I have the link to it on Amazon.  It isn't cheap, it will suck, but it will be worth it, this is a game changer to me and part of my daily routine: Insanity with Amazon

Future blogs and films will cover everything from Techniques, to Nutrition, to Mental Strength, and Planning.  My goal is that all goalies, all over the world, have a way to grow and have support, so we can all raise our games by sharing knowledge, and make life miserable for forwards :)

You are not alone, if you are a goalie and you want help with anything, email me and I promise to respond and support you.

James Tanner