Hockey Acceleration - PULL (hip-knee flexion)

"PULL" is Yin to "PUSH" 's Yang.  Most who analyze acceleration focus on extension or "push" ... however, flexion or "pull" is equally as important AND is most often the biggest difference between good acceleration vs. poor acceleration. 

What is most important about "pull" or flexion is the timing with which it is initiated, not the magnitude.  Unlike "push" or extension where the hip and knee reach peak force/speed simulatneously, "pull" or flexion is initiated by the knee and followed by the hip.  The initiation of knee flexion should occur while the stance foot is still in contact with the ground - this is of utmost importance.

If knee flexion occurs late or after the stance leg has lost contact with the ground, it disrupts the pull pattern and degrades forward acceleration.