How to Skate like Nathan MacKinnon

Summary

This video offers three key techniques to enhance your ice hockey forward stride, inspired by Nathan McKinnon's style. It covers the Y angle for ankle collapse, Shin angle for knee positioning, and the Heel To Toe rocker for blade pressure distribution. With detailed drills like ankle collapse walk, shin angle drops, and the moon rock, viewers can improve their stride's efficiency and speed. The video also emphasizes the importance of feeling and technique over mere physical strength.

Takeaways

• 🚀 **Y Angle**: Nathan McKinnon's low Y angle allows his toe cap to nearly touch the ice, creating a powerful stride.
• 🦿 **Ankle Collapse**: McKinnon lands with his ankles neutral, then collapses inward, which is crucial for speed.
• 👣 **Ankle Collapse Walk**: A drill to practice the feeling of ankle collapse by stepping and rolling the ankles.
• 🏒 **Ankle Rolls**: Rolling the ankles from inside edge to outside edge helps in developing a relaxed and loose ankle movement.
• 🦵 **Shin Angle**: The shin angle is about having the knee forward of the toes, which is different from just bending the knees.
• 📉 **Shin Angle Drops**: A drill to help feel the difference between tensing and relaxing the calves to achieve the proper shin angle.
• 🛼 **Heel To Toe Rocker**: The pressure should start at the heel and move to the toe, utilizing the blade's rocker for efficient skating.
• 🌕 **Moon Rock**: A drill to practice the heel to toe rocker by striking at the heel and rocking forward to the toe.
• 🔪 **Stutter Stride**: A half-stride drill that focuses on the heel to toe rocker while collapsing to the inside edge.
• 📚 **Downhill Skating System**: The foundation of all hockey mechanics, skills, and stride improvement.

Q & A

What are the three keys to Nathan McKinnon's forward stride discussed in the script?

The three keys to Nathan McKinnon's forward stride are: 1) Y angle with ankle claps, 2) Shin angle with the knee forward and in front of the toes, and 3) Heel To Toe rocker.

What is the significance of the Y angle in skating?

The Y angle refers to the angle between the blade and the ice. A low Y angle, where the toe cap is nearly touching the ice, allows for a more aggressive stride and better control.

How can one practice the ankle collapse to achieve the Y angle?

One can practice the ankle collapse by performing the 'ankle collapse walk' drill, starting with feet pointing away and landing on the outside edge, allowing the ankle to roll and collapse inwards.

What is the difference between Shin angle and knee bend?

Shin angle is about having the knee forward and in front of the toes, while knee bend refers to the degree of knee flexion. One can bend their knees without getting them over the toes, which is a distinction made in the script.

What is the 'McKinnon knee forward auxiliary' drill and how does it help?

The 'McKinnon knee forward auxiliary' drill involves gliding on one foot and falling forward while focusing on allowing the knee to travel forward. It helps in developing the feeling of getting the knee forward without pushing.

What is the Heel To Toe rocker and how does it relate to stride direction?

The Heel To Toe rocker refers to the pressure moving along the rocker of the blade from heel to toe. It relates to stride direction as it involves moving out to the side until full extension and then back with the recovery, slicing the ice as you go.

How does the 'moon rock' drill help in developing the Heel To Toe rocker?

The 'moon rock' drill involves striking at the heel and rocking weight forward to the toe, building the feeling of rocking from one end point to another and utilizing the blade's rounded nature.

What is the purpose of the 'stutter stride' drill?

The 'stutter stride' drill is a half stride used for controlling speed and deception. It focuses on lifting the toe, striking at the heel, and rocking forward to the toe while collapsing to the Inside Edge.

Why is it important to maintain the feeling of starting pressure at the heel even when the toe might touch down first?

Maintaining the feeling of starting pressure at the heel is important for building the correct movement pattern and ensuring efficient transfer of weight during the stride, even if the toe touches down first as speed increases.

What additional resources are available for learning more about the forward stride and hockey skating mechanics?

Additional resources include the downhill skating system by Train 2.0, which is the foundation for all hockey mechanics and skills. A free training consisting of five parts with secrets on how to move like NHLers is also available.