When training for hockey, there are a set of acronyms underwater hockey players use to describe their workouts. These acronyms are described below.
If you’re looking for workouts to do, try this swim generator.
BOGDAT
(B reathe O nce G o D own A nd T ouch).
Kick off the wall, breathe once, go to the bottom, touch, come to the surface, breathe once, and go back down. Usually these are done as 100’s, but try a 25 and build up to 100’s. These can be done as sprints or simply as a breathe control exercise.
HUHO
(H alf U nder H alf O ver)
From the wall, start underwater and swim to the middle of the pool. Surface in the middle of the pool and finish your lap on the surface. Turn around and repeat. These are almost always done as a sprint.
HOHU
(H alf O ver H alf U nder)
From the wall, swim to the middle of the pool on the surface. Once you get to the middle, finish your lap underwater. These are slightly harder than HUHO ’s, and if you’re keeping track of your times you should notice slightly slower times.
UOUO
(U nder-O ver U nder-O ver)
The 1st lap is underwater, the 2nd lap is on the surface. Definitely not something you should just jump right into. Get a good warm-up before you start on these.
OUOU
(O ver-U nder O ver-U nder)
The 1st lap is on the surface, the 2nd lap is underwater. Definitely not something you should just jump right into. Get a good warm-up before you start on these. These are slightly harder than UOUO ’s, and if you’re keeping track of your times you should notice slightly slower times.
FU
(F ull U nder)
Each length is underwater from wall to wall. You breathe at the wall, as much as you like, but the more you breathe the slower these go. These are usually done as 100’s but can be done at any length.
ASAP
(A s S low A s P ossible)
Swim a full lap underwater as slow as possible. Usually done as a set, with each length longer on the clock. So 5x25 ASAP, forcing each underwater time longer than the last. Doing these (and FU’s) requires you to really relax and calm down your heart rate and breathing. The swim generator will build sets from these.