Maintaining hip mobility and strength is very important for hockey players. If there is a deficit in pelvic/core stability, muscular strength or gross range of motion, the skating stride will be compromised, as will overall on-ice playing strength and performance. One simple exercise for evaluating and enhancing hip function is an adaptation of a basic bridge position.
Start by lying on your back with your legs bent to 90˚ and feet flat on the floor. Lift/bridge your hips upward, until your body is straight from your shoulders to your knees. In this position, use your core and hip muscles to stabilize your pelvis as you raise your left foot off the floor and extend the leg to full length. Keeping the left leg long, slowly lower it to touch your heel on the floor, without letting your pelvis drop or twist. At this bottom position your left hip should be in 10-20˚ of extension. Now raise the leg back up, slightly higher than the level of your right thigh, and repeat. Perform 5-10 repetitions and switch to the right leg.
