The Best Drill You Don’t Know About
It’s Thursday afternoon. You pull up your internet browser and start searching for new drills, techniques, and ways to do things. And while there is nothing new under the sun, there are some drills you just haven’t been exposed to yet, ones that can help your team, and so your searching continues.
As coaches, we have all been there. We are all searching for that perfect drill, the magic bullet. What if I told you that drill does not exist, but there is a drill that can progressively develop coordination, enhance and accelerate learning, and can improve visual and cognitive skills.
For nearly a decade, I have dedicated myself to finding the magic bullet. That one drill that makes everyone a better hockey player, one that my best players are the best at. Then, one afternoon at a conference geared towards high school track and football coaches, I was introduced to Infinity Walks.
Introducing Infinity Walks
Before going further, I did not come up with this drill or discover it. It was invented by Deborah Sunbeck, Ph.D. Other coaches revealed it to me and I use it. The purpose of this article is to expose the readers of The Coaches Site and hockey coaches around the world to this drill and give my opinions and experiences with it.
Now, in simple terms, Infinity Walks are a figure 8 pattern that athletes walk or run while keeping focus on a target. There are limitless progressions or regressions to Infinity Walks, which may be utilized by players at the U6 to professional levels. While walking this figure 8 pattern, athletes must use their peripheral vision to see cones they are walking around, all while keep eyes on the target in front of them.
The below video is my personal, classic set up for Infinity Walks. I use two cones and a ball. I have players alternate sets of catching and throwing with their right and left hands. Typical timing per set is 15-60 seconds. Reminder, I work at the college level. Highly consider regressing when you begin with younger players. The link in the section below to Infintywalk.org will give you an idea of the original drill and where you may want to start.
Infinity Walks will progressively develop coordination, enhance and accelerate learning, and can improve visual and cognitive skills. It’s time to incorporate them into your training . . . SEE MORE OF THE COACHES SITE Join The Coaches Site to access the latest drills, tactics & leadership lessons from hockey's top coaches. Already a member? Login
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Chris Kerr
Chris Kerr is the Director of Sports Performance for Liberty University Hockey, a position he has held since 2014. He attended Liberty University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science (2014) and a Master of Science degree in Human Performance (2019). In his first year working with Liberty Hockey, the Women’s D1 team won their first of several ACHA National Championships. Prior to Liberty, Chris had zero hockey experience as a coach or player. This has enabled him to approach the game unbiased, learn from renowned experts at the highest levels, and present his Coaches and Players with new, cutting-edge methods, not yet commonplace in the hockey world. In addition to training his Liberty players in the offseason, Chris also trains players at the youth, AAA, and professional levels.
He may be reached by email at [email protected].
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This takes this site to the next level. I love how this is ‘outside the box’ but with proven results!
Can’t wait to dig into this even more…I couldn’t go through it quickly enough because it just kept getting better:-)
Thank you Chris, Infinity Walks, and the Coaches Site!!