Youth Inc. Recommends: Four Resources to Help Young Hockey Players Warm Up Safely

A proper warm-up is critical for helping hockey players perform at their best and stay injury-free. Whether before practice or a game, both off-ice and on-ice warm-ups help prepare the body and mind for the demands of hockey. 

Below are four resources to help players, parents, and coaches build better warm-up routines.

How to Develop an Off-Ice Warm-Up

What it is: An article that explains the importance of warming up off the ice. It outlines how to design a dynamic warm-up routine for players to use before practices.

Why we like it: It covers all major muscle groups to help players avoid injury. It also provides a sample set of exercises that can be done easily in any room or hallway.

Sample Warm-Up Routine

What it is: A video showing a quick warm-up routine suitable for use before any hockey practice.

Why we like it: All exercises can be done standing or lying in place. They are low-intensity—saving energy for practice—while still helping stretch and prepare key muscles.

On-Ice Warm-Up Drills  

What it is: A set of nine warm-up drills for coaches to use at the start of practice to get players moving and ready for more advanced drills. 

Why we like it: It includes videos for each drill and combines both physical and mental warm-ups. The variations provided help keep practice fresh and engaging. 

Pre-Game Warm-Up

What it is: A video demonstrating a full warm-up routine players can use before games to get muscles ready for peak performance. 

Why we like it: It features full-body stretches that maximize range of motion while helping preserve energy for the game. A great tool for helping players prevent injury and perform at their best.