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a strong knee bend at all times. Popping, or jumping up, destroys both the push and forward (or backward) motion. Body Weight: The total body weight (100 percent) must be directly above and bal- anced over the edge of the pushing skate. At the midpoint of the push, the body weight begins to shift from the pushing skate to the gliding skate. CENTER OF GRAVITY: While the push- ing leg does the work, we are really pushing ourselves (forward or backward). In order to push our weight, each push must begin from directly under the center of gravity ("battery pack" or "power source"). The center of gravity is an imaginary circle, approximately three inches in diameter, located in the midsection of the body (belly button area). The skates must therefore be no further than three inches apart at the beginning of each push. Release The pushing skate/leg must drive direct- ly and fully against the gripping edge. Too many players allow the pushing skate/leg to "slip back" in a walking/ running motion. All skating pushes are outward/inward, not backward/forward. Follow-Through A push is complete only when the pushing skate/leg is fully extended - when the entire leg (hip, the quad, knee, calf, ankle, and toes) is locked. A well-executed follow-through results in the all-important "toe-flick" (the final push against the ice with the front of the edge). Note: Full extension is based upon main- taining a 90 degree knee bend of the gliding leg. A lesser knee bend produces a lesser range of motion and subsequently an inad- equate push. Return The return prepares the skater for the next push. An incomplete return means that the skates and legs will be outside the "battery pack" at the initiation of the next push. The subsequent push will be inefficient and ineffective. Players who push from a wide base feel as though they're going fast because they can move their legs rapidly. In actuality work hard and accomplish little. They also tire quickly because they waste a lot of energy "going nowhere fast." The goal is efficient speed. To accomplish efficient speed, each push must be executed correctly. If technique is faulty during any portion of the push the player loses thrusting power (potential speed) on that portion of the push. If technique is incorrect at the beginning of the push (Wind-up), the player loses the first third of the push. The second third, or middle of the push (Release), is easier than either the first or third parts, so most players get this second third. Unfortunately, many players ONLY get this third of the push. If technique is faulty at the third-third (finish) of the push the player loses the final third of the push. Loss of one third of power in a sprint sport such as hockey results in a damaging loss of speed. Loss of two thirds guarantees slowness. Remember: Fast-legged skaters look fast, but this is because they are churning their legs furiously. Correct, complete and pow- erful pushes, performed rapidly, are the goal. Remember too: Walking and running are natural motions of the body. Skating motions and skating pushes are not. They must be learned/taught properly and then practiced (correctly and repeatedly) over a period of many years. For a detailed explanation of how to execute each hockey skating push correctly and powerfully, go to LauraStamm.com. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in the January 2009 issue of USA Hockey Magazine. ALL SKATING PUSHES ARE OUTWARD/INWARD, NOT BACKWORD/FORWARD.