Our early off-season running with hockey always starts with tempo runs 1-2 times per week. Our rationale for starting with tempo runs is to start building an aerobic base and to also work on sprint mechanics.

But more importantly, tempo runs slowly get hockey players into hip extension in a less aggressive way then starting with sprinting would, as sprinting would be potentially problematic for athletes coming out of a long season that places their hips in a continuous flexed hip position. We eventually get to sprinting when some of the postural issues have been ironed out.