Daily Training Tip #1005

Have someone take a couple of pictures of you skating on the ice and another few of you training off of the ice. You should see similarities between the pictures. If not, you might not be training as smart as you think.

In both on ice and off ice pictures, look for; knee bend, leg extension, chest up, head up, etc.

Daily Training Tip #1004

Make sure you complete your workout in the proper order. Different lifts/exercises have different purposes. Make sure you complete those in the proper order so they give you the optimal benefit. Usually, start with the most complex lifts first and work downward.

Daily Training Tip #1003

As you progress towards the in-season, your focus shifts to more improvement on the ice. STILL work hard and work smart off of the ice, but spend a little extra each day on the ice improving on your on-ice skills.

Daily Training Tip #1002

There are no shortcuts in regards to your training. It is a long road! Keep the course! Keep sprinting, jumping, lifting and skating on a regular basis. By doing those four things regularly, you will elevate your career!

Daily Training Tip #1001

Your training time is too short to do things that are not productive. Organize your priorities and come up with a training plan that is geared toward those priorities. Do what is best for you and your career!

Daily Training Tip #1000

Can't believe today is my 1000 DTT!

Thanks to everyone that reads them, either once or on a regular basis.

My goal is for you to pick up small pieces of information that you can use and help make yourself into a better athlete/hockey player. Every tip has been from a direct conversation I've had with an athlete at some point in time, so one of them might have been from you! Thanks!

Keep following me @ciardellijoe for a thousand more!

Today's DTT is Just Get It Done! #JGID

Daily Training Tip #999

We said it numerous times before, your core is the foundation of all of your athletic movements. Your core needs to be trained on a consistent basis and trained with multiple training techniques. It is easy to do, DEVELOP YOUR CORE!

Daily Training Tip #998

Prepare for a practice or training session, the same way you would for a game. Use the same routine, the same warmup, the same intensity, the same cooldown, etc. Practice how you want your game situations to go!

Daily Training Tip #997

You have to have the mindset that someone, somewhere is working harder than you. They are trying to take away your spot. If you do not play with them or play against them, they are still out there. You control what you can control, work hard and work smart!

Daily Training Tip #996

It does not matter where you are at right now today. It matters in what direction you are moving.

It does not matter what team you are on or who you are playing against. It matters how many of those people you catch up and by pass.

Just keep working! Just keep improving!

Daily Training Tip #995

Transitioning from your 'off-season' training program to your 'in-season' training program is nothing more than starting the new phase. No time off, No time on the couch, No time on vacation; just start with the in-season phase of your program the next day. Continue with your in-season phase until your post-season phase begins.

Daily Training Tip #994

When sprinting (either on ice or on track) make sure you have enough forward lean. Keep your chest out and lean forward, letting your legs power you forward.

Daily Training Tip #993

Make sure there is explosiveness in every single workout that you do!

Daily Training Tip #992

While training to be a better hockey player, knee bend is crucial! Make sure you are getting your butt down, while keep you head and chest up!

Daily Training Tip #991

The path to greatness isn't a one way, paved road. There are lots of obstacles, twists, turns and bumps along a dusty, dirty, long road. However, by out training, out working, out thinking and out performing you will get to an open door at the end of the road. Once you see that open door, sprint as fast as you can to get though it!

Daily Training Tip #990

Make sure you are completing pushing AND pulling exercises together on the same day.

Daily Training Tip #989

Mix up your exercises a bit. Do not get stuck in a groove of using a bar each and every day. Mix in some dumbbells. DB's allow you to work and control the resistance with one arm at a time, which helps develop your core and balance a little more.

Daily Training Tip #988

Instead of completing lifts with both arms together, add in some 1 arm exercises today. This helps build your stabilizer muscles and forces each arm to work individually of each other.

Daily Training Tip #987

Do not overlook your hips. Your hips are part of your core and need to be worked on regular basis. Use bands, weights, machines or partners to strengthen your hips.

Daily Training Tip #986

Get your butt down, keep your chest and head up, and keep your heels flat when doing any sorts of squats. Avoid getting up on your toes by sticking your butt out before you start the eccentric phase of the squat. Heels Flat!

Daily Training Tip #985

Get up, get out of bed and get your workout done, first thing in the morning.

Daily Training Tip #984

Make sure you are getting 8-10 hours of 'rest' each night. That means get to bed when the time is right!