How to get started playing hockey?

[DevilsFan38 0]

I'm not sure exactly how to go about getting started. I can skate decently (I'm good going forwards, okay at stopping, not so great if I have to go backwards) but I have no experience passing/shooting/actually playing hockey. I haven't found any rinks around me that have "learn to play hockey" clinics/leagues/etc. So where do I go from here? I think it would be an awfully big jump to just join a league and start playing, even at the lowest level, but at this point I'm not sure how else to go about it. Oh, and I'm 23, so too old for all the youth hockey programs.

And an aside - I need to start buying gear if I'm going to finally make this leap (why is it so expensive?) - any recommendations on good pro shops in northern or central New Jersey? I want to make sure I go someplace where they can help fit me properly and pick out appropriate stuff for my level.

[interpathway 9]

Do your local rinks have stick and puck (stick and shoots) times for the general public? They are no scrimmage skates and shoots, no pressure, plus you don't have to invest in full gear. Helmet, gloves, skates, and stick are usually all you need. From there ask around about pro-shops and local beginner leagues.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Where are you located. I started when I was 28, then had to stop to sort out some greencard stuff, then started again last summer. I took some skating classes first (I literally had never been skating before I moved here), then I joined a beginners league.

Practice skating skating skating. If you can get skating down, the rest will come.

Call around, some of your local rinks have to have some sort of learn to play for adults program.

I cannot emphasize enough how glad I am I started playing. You will make good friends, get exercise, and just have a blast.

You are never too old, and in your case, you are certainly young enough to be able to play for decades, so get started.

[DevilsFan38 0]

Thanks for the responses. As for your questions...

I live/go to school in northern Jersey, and am sometimes home at my parents place down in central Jersey on the weekends. The only rink I've found so far that has stick and puck time is by my parents, about an hour south of where I live - and they only seem to have it on weekdays. And they require full equipment.

I might try giving the rinks around me a call in case their websites aren't up to date (some of them certainly don't seem to be), and seeing if they have any programs that they don't list online.

[ArcArsenal 0]

Are there any outdoor rinks in your area? Thats how I got started - initially to go skating for some excercise, then bought a stick and gloves to play shinny...I was hooked.

A word of caution - once you start you won't be able to stop. Also, buying gear is extremely addictive...as evidenced by this site....

[interpathway 9]

With some luck you might be able to find a shallow pond near you this winter. Again, ask around the rinks, there's no better way to learn than outside. It is already at freezing in MD (some days this week) so I expect Jersey is nearly as cold.

[Darkbyte 0]

IMO buy yourself a stick and a golfball. Google for some stick handling videos (the USA Hockey ones arent a bad place to start). Get used to having a stick in your hands and learn to stickhandle without watching the ball (important). If you have some smooth concrete, grab an inline puck and practice passing to an imaginary spot on a wall (I know the pucks are different, but its a good way to learn to go through the motions i.e. following through, shifting your weight etc).

In the meantime keep learning how to skate. Get good at stopping, tight turns and balance (e.g. gliding on one foot from one end of the rink to the other).

Then when you are ready put it all together, remember to keep your head up when you are skating around with a puck and keep the stick on the floor when you dont have the puck.

This is the approach I am currently taking. I've had three hockey lessons so far and spend 4 or so hours a week with a stick and a puck/golfball/smart hockey ball. I am still very much the noob, so I hope that some of this is helpful. Even though my skating leaves a lot to be desired, knowing my way around a stick and a puck, makes life a lot easier (less to concentrate on all at once).

Like all exercise, start small and work up to longer sessions as there are plenty of new muscles that you may be working for the first time (even when stick handling).

Ask around the rinks and the hockey shops. See what they recommend, you may find an beginners class that is full of little kids, but also allow "big" kids (in my class the majority is under 15 apart from me (26) and another guy in his 40s).

Good luck and remember, everyone was a noob at some point.

P.S, just because you are a noob, doesnt mean that you dont deserve some nice gear. I wouldnt buy pro gear, but I think its fair enough to aim middle of the road. There will always be people who are jealous of those with new gear, dont let it get to you. I've had a few comments about my gear (RBK 6K elbow gaurds were the last thing to cop a comment), but IMO, nothing wrong with having something with a bit more padding, because I know I get plenty of use out of them compared to the more experianced people in the class who dont fall over...lol :D. (there is no contact in the beginner class, unless two people collide when watching the puck instead of where they are going).

Also, dont be afraid to ask people for advice, if you are polite and respectful, most poeple wont mind giving the new guy a few pointers on how to do something better.

[DevilsFan38 0]

Hmmm, don't know about any outdoor rinks or ponds, I'll have to ask around about that. That would be pretty sweet if I could find a pond, but I don't think it would be cold enough until at least January. Right now we've had a few days below freezing but not for anywhere near long enough to freeze a glass of water, let alone a whole pond.

I'll definitely have to try some stickhandling off ice when I get a chance. Unfortunately my apartment has absolutely no space for that, and I live in Newark so I'm not going to be doing that outside. But at my parents there's plenty of space, I'll try and get in some work over the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Aussie Joe 0]

Watch pro hockey and how the guys move. Things like lowering your stance and facing into the turn are examples of how to skate at a proficient level. You will pick up quickly if you are passionate about it, there's no doubt there.

[JJ Thompson94 0]

Exactly where in Jersey are you located?

There is a huge rink called Ice house in Hackensack. Another pretty big rink called Ice Vault in Wayne.

Both of those rinks are pretty big, they should definitly have a learn to skate program.

As far a gear goes, both of those rinks have really nice shops, with realiable workers. The Ice house shop is represented on MSH by Darkstar.

If you can get to Brooklyn on a regular basis. I'm positive they have a learn to skate program thats accually pretty decent. Never took it but I've seen them running it. seems good.

I'm sure there are a million more rinks in jersey, so check it out. Just get out and play.

[tdjb 0]

I would go almost the opposite route of Darkbyte (sorry), and that's actually how I'm teaching my wife. Until she is comfortable on her skates I'm not going to bother with a stick and puck. Skating is the key (I think), without good skating technique it's going to be a real pain learning everything else. Everything revolves around how you are on your feet (shooting, passing, etc) and unless all you plan on doing is taking point shots standing still, you'll need to be able to do everything while moving.

I would suggest that you get good on your feet; work on your crossovers, get your stops down (both ways), work on your transition from back-forward/forward-back. Once you have your skating down just go for it. A lot of leagues have beginner levels you can start out in. I promise you that if you are ok/good at skating that you'll be one of the better beginners. Plus, once you have skating down you can always practice your shot/pass fundamentals at home.

[Darkbyte 0]

I promise you that if you are ok/good at skating that you'll be one of the better beginners.

Cant agree more with that statement.

No probs tdjb, we all have our different ways of learning. My partner would have me doing the same if I let him.

I was itching to do something and seperated the two activities (skating and stick handling) and run them in parallel. So far, I dont think it has been detrimental (comments, opinions?).

I do see what you mean about being able to do things on the move, its a lot harder to do things with skates on and moving around, then it is in your sneakers and standing still!

Being able to skate only once a week hasnt helped much with the itchyness. I think I would have gone nuts if I had to wait 2-3 months to learn how to skate before I got anywhere near a stick and a puck.

Something else I did, was go to the rink and watch the beginner lessons. That gave me an idea of roughly the level of skating I needed. When I was enquiring about the various beginner lessons, it was interesting to see the difference in skating requirements. One required you to complete their basic learn to skate classes first, while another was very relaxed.

I like to go and watch pickup, some of the people there are amazing (both stickwork and footwork). Its interesting to see which moves are used over and over again.

How do you guys practice at home/what do you do? Does there come a point when there isnt a great deal that you can do away from the rink?

[Elwood 0]

Off-ice training is very helpful. Check out some of the Sean Skinner vids (and others as mentioned previously) for cool ideas.

For all-weather stickhandling practice I bought a 3'x3' slab of UHDPE (ultra high density polyethelyne) and work pucks in the living room on it - Its very close to ice speed using a real puck. Since stickhandling is all about muscle memory, I'll do 40 or 50 or so reps of the same moves, hopefully every day ;)

I'll do figure 8s, toe drags ("L" shapes left and right , triangles etc.), trying to keep up head up and eyes foward.

When I get on the ice, I'll do the same stationary, then moving.

-E

[SolarWind 23]

Practice skating skating skating. If you can get skating down, the rest will come.

while I agree that skating is the fundamental skill that is very important to develop, I totally disagree with "the rest will come" statement - it's not going to happen on it's own

like Sean Skinner adequately put in his opening video "when was the last time you saw a highlight of a player just skating"?!

you'll progress much quicker as a hockey player if you start incorporating at least stick (no puck at first) into skating - I see it with kids all the time when I coach minor hockey - some of them are pretty damn good skaters until you give them the stick - then things get ugly - they stand up straight, forget deep knee bend, stick gets in their way etc. Of course it only gets worse if pack is thrown into the mixt since it's yet another thing for them to worry about

bottom line is that in my opinion if I were to choose (not considering the long term - basically if I was picking someone for a game today) between a very good skater with limited stick handling skills & an Ok one with good puck control I'd puck the second one in a heart bit

in my experience guys that can skate somewhat decently without leaving the puck behind turn into good hockey players faster then just good skaters that hussle around the ring without a stick/puck

so get some skating fundamentals going & then start incorporating puck into it right away

[ArcArsenal 0]

I think what it comes down to is personal preference. I went the following route:

1) Practiced skating - Acceleration, Crossovers, Stopping (both sides) - Focus on a good hockey stance and balance

2) Incorporated Basic stick handling

3) Worked on passing - both sending and receiving the puck

4) Finally shooting - first just shooting, then shooting while moving with the puck

Then put it all together. If you have a friend with hockey experience to practice with it will help.

When you decide to join a league make sure you are aware of positioning. You will be surpirsed how much more you get the puck if you are in good spots. Also, be aware of where everyone else is on the ice....take a peek before getting the pass (makes moving with it easier).

Don't be afraid to ask more experienced guys for advice and let them know you are okay with them telling you what you are doing wrong. Some guys won't say anything because they feel like they are being a jerk - but how else will you know you are doing something wrong?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Practice skating skating skating. If you can get skating down, the rest will come.

while I agree that skating is the fundamental skill that is very important to develop, I totally disagree with "the rest will come" statement - it's not going to happen on it's own

like Sean Skinner adequately put in his opening video "when was the last time you saw a highlight of a player just skating"?!

you'll progress much quicker as a hockey player if you start incorporating at least stick (no puck at first) into skating - I see it with kids all the time when I coach minor hockey - some of them are pretty damn good skaters until you give them the stick - then things get ugly - they stand up straight, forget deep knee bend, stick gets in their way etc. Of course it only gets worse if pack is thrown into the mixt since it's yet another thing for them to worry about

bottom line is that in my opinion if I were to choose (not considering the long term - basically if I was picking someone for a game today) between a very good skater with limited stick handling skills & an Ok one with good puck control I'd puck the second one in a heart bit

in my experience guys that can skate somewhat decently without leaving the puck behind turn into good hockey players faster then just good skaters that hussle around the ring without a stick/puck

so get some skating fundamentals going & then start incorporating puck into it right away

Obviously I'm not advocating to not practice stickhandling, but if you skate enough, then you get to the point where you don't have to think about it.

When your skating is natural, you have a much easier time with focusing on the puck and positioning aspects of the game.

When I go to stick and shoot sessions, I try to just get a puck and skate with it, but it's to work on my skating. Once that comes, the rest will be easier to control, because of the stability

The part you quoted is actually not meant to sound as flip as I did, it's from one of my old Gaelic Football coaches back home.

He always said "Take your points, and the goals will come". A goal is worth 3 points in GAA, so people want to immediately get the goals, but it's much easier to knock it over the bar for your point 3 times and get the same result. It's a matter of getting the fundamentals down (the points), then working on getting the goals (dekes, moves, advanced stickhandling stuff)

[Zamboni 6]

Often wonder about pads sitting empty instead of running stick n puck. The Canlan near us in Oshawa does a great job of keeping their web site up to date and adding last minute stick & Pucks, usually every hour not rented the facility schedules something to generate revenue.

See US pads empty even on weekends-if stick & puck barely draws enough to pay for Zamboni propane for a flood they should go ahead. Lets beginners have ice time, they join hockey league etc.

[DevilsFan38 0]

Okay, sounds like I've got a lot to work on! Thanks all!

Exactly where in Jersey are you located?

There is a huge rink called Ice house in Hackensack. Another pretty big rink called Ice Vault in Wayne.

Both of those rinks are pretty big, they should definitly have a learn to skate program.

As far a gear goes, both of those rinks have really nice shops, with realiable workers. The Ice house shop is represented on MSH by Darkstar.

If you can get to Brooklyn on a regular basis. I'm positive they have a learn to skate program thats accually pretty decent. Never took it but I've seen them running it. seems good.

I'm sure there are a million more rinks in jersey, so check it out. Just get out and play.

I'm in Newark. Ice House had nothing on their website about adult beginner hockey stuff, Ice Vault mentioned an initiation clinic but when I called they said it was only for kids. But the guy there did recommend calling Floyd Hall (which I hadn't heard of) and said they might have some programs. According to their website they do have an adult instructional league (yay!) though I'm not sure when it starts so I sent the guy an email. In the meantime I'll try to keep getting to public skates and working on that.

And I'll have to get in touch with Darkstar and go there to buy some gear - I guess it can be an early Christmas present to myself.

[interpathway 9]

I guess it can be an early Christmas present to myself.

And another gearwhore is born.

[DevilsFan38 0]

I guess it can be an early Christmas present to myself.

And another gearwhore is born.

I was already a shopaholic. I'm a chick - shopping is in my blood :D

[Master P 0]

I started playing hockey when I was 28. I took a year of skating lessons. After that I started taking adult learn to play practices. I think working just on skating really helps. A lot of the adult players are very poor skaters. They jumped too quick into the hockey leagues. Yes skating lessons may not be the most fun, but it defiantly pays off.

Good luck and have fun.

[andysly 1]

I also live in central NJ so I may be of some help here. Two rinks come to mind regarding hockey instruction: Rock Ice Pavilion in Dunellen is run by 3 Russian guys who are former playes (1 was in the NHL), and Bridgewater Sports Arena. Both rinks used to have adult skills clinics as well as skating lessons. You can call them to see if they still do.

[sdcopp 1]

My personal feeling is work on everything together as much as possible. When I started playing in high school, I was working at a rink and had no issue skating, but put a stick in my hands and a puck in front of me and it was ugly.

If you're working off ice with a stick and golf ball, don't do it stationary, move your feet so you get the ball in front, on the sides, behind, moving forward, moving backward, etc.

most importantly though, go have fun no matter what you're working on. Make games out of it all

[lurkndestroy 1]

just started playing at 25. i played a few years of pond hockey growing up on a lake but never took it serious. last april i was bit by the hockey bug. i went out bought some used skates, a stick, gloves and a helmet and started going to stick and pucks a few times a week. i hit some drop-ins and now 8 months later im playing on two different rec teams contributing a little and having a blast. ive already met so many amazing people and as far as health benefits, ive managed to cut 45 lbs off me and feel 100 times better than before i was hitting the ice a few days a week. best decision ive made in years

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Practice skating skating skating. If you can get skating down, the rest will come.

while I agree that skating is the fundamental skill that is very important to develop, I totally disagree with "the rest will come" statement - it's not going to happen on it's own

like Sean Skinner adequately put in his opening video "when was the last time you saw a highlight of a player just skating"?!

Sean Skinner is trying to sell stickhandling videos.

What is the difference between each level of pro hockey? It's not stickhandling...