How to get started playing hockey?

[SolarWind 23]

Sean Skinner is trying to sell stickhandling videos.

while it's a valid point he's also got quite extensive skating drills section on his DVDs - certainly worth more then some of 'power skating' DVDs out there so I think he could easily turn it around if he wanted to - that's what makes me think he's quite honest

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

it's not just skating either - in my opinion it's a combination of everything mixed together in right proportions, hence my comment - since you have to skate with the puck practice like you play - pretty much the same as sdcopp was saying above...

[Chadd 916]

Sean Skinner is trying to sell stickhandling videos.

while it's a valid point he's also got quite extensive skating drills section on his DVDs - certainly worth more then some of 'power skating' DVDs out there so I think he could easily turn it around if he wanted to - that's what makes me think he's quite honest

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

it's not just skating either - in my opinion it's a combination of everything mixed together in right proportions, hence my comment - since you have to skate with the puck practice like you play - pretty much the same as sdcopp was saying above...

Everyone at the NHL level can skate. Even those guys that some fans mock on a regular basis skate very, very well.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

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

it's not just skating either - in my opinion it's a combination of everything mixed together in right proportions, hence my comment - since you have to skate with the puck practice like you play - pretty much the same as sdcopp was saying above...

No, it's not.

Skating is the name of the game, and you can be a whiz at other things, but if you cannot skate, you will not go anywhere.

I mean, look at that Itan Chavira kid, why do you think he couldn't hang in the ECHL?

Everyone at the NHL level can skate. Even those guys that some fans mock on a regular basis skate very, very well.

Exactly right.

[shooter27 116]

Just look at the kids that were All-Americans or Hobey Baker winners in college and then either can't make an NHL team or are very fringe NHL players. That doesn't happen because those kids can't stickhandle, pass, and shoot. It's a skating game, plain and simple.

[chk hrd 164]

learning to skate is the first step, you have to crawl before you can run. You can be a great stick handler but if you can't get to the puck you are not doing anything worth while. Skate as much as you can, go to public skates and stick and puck. It is different skating with a stick and you need to learn how to skate with it so it helps and not hurts you skating. Practice as much as you can stick handling off ice, it's easier to learn. Then start putting it all together. If you have the opportunity get skatng lessons from someone that knows what they are doing, whether it's figure skating or ice hockey. Watch as much hockey as possible...kids, mens league, pro...learn the basics of the game so when you do start playing you have an idea of what to do. Once you have a little confidence jump in and play.

Don't get discouraged, it's a tough game to get a handle on because nothing you do out there is natural. Becareful, once you start you won't stop

[Darkbyte 0]

Just curious, what is "stick and puck"?

Im guessing its like a public session, but people skate around with sticks and pucks doing their own thing?

[MacDaddyDanny 0]

Just curious, what is "stick and puck"?

Im guessing its like a public session, but people skate around with sticks and pucks doing their own thing?

yup

[Darkbyte 0]

Cheers :)

(We dont have anything like that here)

[start_today 773]

A lot of rinks only run adult clinics in the summer, because they have more ice time to fill then. I'd still call everywhere and ask, many rinks are TERRIBLE about updating webpages.

When you call rinks, ask about specific women's teams and clinics. I know in Pittsburgh there are four women's teams, each at a different level. None of these teams is associated with a specific rink, so there's no mention of any of them on the rinks' pages. You sort of have to know someone to find out about it, which is a problem with promotion.

Here's a link I found for the Women's Mid Atalantic Hockey Association. http://www.mawha.com/ There's two NJ teams. I have no idea what the skill level is like. Try contacting those teams and see if they have any suggestions where you can/should start. Even if they don't have any openings for beginers, they should be able to point you in the right direction. I just found that by searching "womens hockey" new jersey on google, so hopefully there is more out there.

My wife just started playing two year ago at age 25 and she loves it. Good Luck!

[AnthonyJTa 0]

A lot of rinks only run adult clinics in the summer, because they have more ice time to fill then. I'd still call everywhere and ask, many rinks are TERRIBLE about updating webpages.

Only thing to be weary of - go and check out any adult clinics they may offer in your area... pop in and check out a session prior to registering. Take notice the student/instructor ratio. I spent $300 on an adult clinic.... literally 55 guys on the ice, and 2 instructors. There really wasn't much learning going on, just 2 guys going "do this" and a whole lot of guys falling down.

If I had known of a program like a Puckmasters, etc at the time, my buddy and I would have ponied up a little more coin for 2 to 1 instruction.

[vectoranalysisgo 3]

hey.. I don't post around here all that often but I read the boards quite a bit so I'm around and wanted to chime in here, if even a little late. I'm a woman too and I just picked up hockey two years ago at 25. I've loved hockey my whole life but never played and now I'm wondering why I never did.. and wishing I'd started earlier. I was lucky enough to happen upon a "learn to play hockey" clinic... but from my experience, most of your growth is going to come during time you spend doing things independently. as other people suggested, your priority right now should just be to find a way to get on the ice and just skate. look up some basic skating drills in books or on youtube, and practice them with full gear and a stick in hand.. then try them while carrying a puck. practice shooting the puck against the boards or another obstacle. do the "iron cross" drill over and over until you're going faster than you thought you ever could. mainly, you're not going to learn how to "play hockey" until you can get yourself into some kind of competitive environment, and you won't be able to do that until you can at least hold your own in a game situation.. and you won't be able to do that until you can skate confidently- at least forwards, backwards, and stopping when needed.

if you can't find any clinics or other more relaxed and recreational skating opportunities, just find a place to get on the ice and work on your basic skills until you feel comfortable joining a co-ed or men's pick up game of the type that usually develop during open ice or stick times. when you are feeling a little more confident at that, you can look into finding leagues that let individual players sign up and just go from there.

as a woman, you're going to encounter people who run the entire spectrum from happy to help you, to resenting your presence.. and everything in between. some people will think it's cool that you play and others will think it's a novelty; some men will not ever pass to you because they assume you suck- which you will- but they'll attribute it to your being a woman instead of your being new to the game. oh well. you just have to keep skating and making the right plays and working on being in the right place at the right time, and even if you never handle the puck, be confident that you were doing what you should have been doing during every second you spend on the ice. if you don't have a sense of positioning or game play in that regard, that's definitely where watching as much professional hockey as you can will help, and talking to everyone you interact with that is willing to give you advice. especially at first, I spent a lot of time asking more experienced players things like, "ok, so that play that developed back there- it was a two on one and I was covering the pass, but say it had happened this way and ____, what would have been the right play in that situation.." etc etc. talk and think hockey 24/7. it'll rub off on your play, I promise.

if you can find a women's hockey team or similar environment, that would be helpful because it'll give you a chance to learn at a more appropriate pace and might help with aspects of learning that are unique for the game as played by women, but ultimately I can't recommend enough that you get into playing with men as soon as you can. physically, it's just a fact of biology that men are (on average) stronger and faster than women, which I find has helped force me to become smarter and more on top of my game- and I've learn to push myself harder and play more physically than when I was playing against only women.

hopefully you can find some kind of group instruction to get involved with, whether it's specifically women's hockey or an adult skills class or whatever.. but if there's absolutely nothing, I would recommend recruiting a friend who knows his/her hockey to join you at stick times or open skates where you can practice skating forwards, backwards, crossovers, stopping, carrying the puck, shooting and having that friend stop you and critique you at every point possible. in the beginning stages, a lot of development is in developing muscle memory, and if you can make sure you're repeating the correct movements and techniques, it'll prevent having to undo and re-learn proper skills later as you get better.

if nothing else pans out, get a pair of inline skates.

[Aussie Joe 0]

Cheers :)

(We dont have anything like that here)

If you don't know him from Hockey, PM FatWabbit, he's our resident WA hockey expert. If you are ever in Melbourne and lug your gear over we do a stick and puck night on Friday's. Also, Assman (on MSH occasionally) runs a Thurs night session in Canberra.

[Darkbyte 0]

Cheers Aussie Joe, its appreciated.

I'll ask FatWabbit.

I think work needs to get some clients in Melbourne and Canberra ;)

[Aussie Joe 0]

Mabe just Canberra, they have one of the best sheets of ice in the country. Melbourne's rink is the worst by far. ;)

[Darkbyte 0]

Id have to learn how to ice skate first ;) A new ice rink is being built in Perth. It will be interesting to see how it compares. Having two ice rinks again will be good.

[DevilsFan38 0]

Well, I'm taking the plunge. Floyd Hall in Montclair has an adult hockey clinic that they said would be good for beginners, and they have an adult instructional league starting in January. So we'll see how the clinic goes on Thursday night

And I went out today and bought equipment - many thanks to DarkStar for being so patient with me!

hey.. I don't post around here all that often but I read the boards quite a bit so I'm around and wanted to chime in here, if even a little late. I'm a woman too and I just picked up hockey two years ago at 25. I've loved hockey my whole life but never played and now I'm wondering why I never did.. and wishing I'd started earlier...

Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement! I'm really excited and nervous about it.

[Darkbyte 0]

Awesome work!! You will do fine, just dont expect too much from yourself. It certainly isnt as easy as it looks!

Get to your first lesson early and have a chat with your instructor. Mine spent 10 mins getting an idea on what level my skating is at. Just do what you can and dont be embarrased if the class does one thing and you get to do something similar, but easier (e.g. being allowed to look at the puck during stationary puck handling, etc).

You will love it!

P.S dont forget to let us know how you go!

[DevilsFan38 0]

All right, so I've got a stupid question already. I've pulled out all my gear and am trying it all on together (with my roommate rolling on the floor laughing at me), but I can't figure out what to do with the hockey socks and the pelvic protector shorts. I know the shorts have velcro on them and you're supposed to use the velcro flaps to keep the socks up, but it seems to be backward to me. The velcro flap opens on top, with the "hinge" part on the bottom. How does that work? I figured it would be the other way around, you'd open it up, put the sock in, and close the flap down over it, but I can't seem to figure this out

[roller to ice 0]

just leave the flap down ive had girdles that go one way and some that go the other

[Rustpot 1]

you'd open it up, put the sock in, and close the flap down over it, but I can't seem to figure this out

The top tab (fuzzy side of the velcro) is there to keep stuff from sticking to the shorts while in your bag or the wash.

Mine flap up but;

A- The fuzzy side wouldn't grab the sock anyway, you'd need a snap or garter button setup.

B- The socks go much higher that that, at least mine do. I pull the tops to halfway up my thighs, I don't know if you've got shorter socks. I got grab bag socks at my LHS, maybe they're "pro" length.

[Darkbyte 0]

All right, so I've got a stupid question already.

Dont worry, there are no stupid questions. Just stuff you dont know yet.

I had to ask how to tape shin gaurds on at my first lesson (and fell on my arse whilst doing so, tip to the roller hockey newbies, dont sit on the very edge of the bench whilst taping your ship gaurds).

I followed up the next lesson by asking which shin gaurd was left and which was right. Thankfully, not such a stupid question as the others couldnt figure it out either (they would be over 10 years old and arent contoured like the new ones).

hmm, what else have I done.... quietly asking the instructor how to stop during a drink break got a few giggles (Id just swapped from hire skates (inline), to hockey skates and learned that a good set of skates dont stop on their own!)

oooh, and this comming lesson the instructor is going to tie my skates up for me! (They are brand new and I cant get them tight enough on my own, will have to buy one of those lace pullers next time I go to the LHS)

Im sure others have asked some stoopid questions along the way too.

[DevilsFan38 0]

So I went to my first clinic tonight, and it was awesome. I am officially hooked.

For anyone out there thinking about getting into hockey, just do it. I thought about it for years and now I'm kicking myself for not starting sooner.

[Darkbyte 0]

YAY!! Good to hear you are hooked

How did it feel skating around with all the gear on?

[DevilsFan38 0]

YAY!! Good to hear you are hooked

How did it feel skating around with all the gear on?

For the first few minutes it felt awkward, but after that I didn't really notice it anymore. I thought it would be a lot more awkward than it was, but I think having all the gear on made me feel more protected in case of a fall, which in turn made me more confident and actually helped my skating.

[fatwabbit 93]

When I first started, all I had was a pair of knee pads for agressive skating, some soccer shin pads, koho street gloves, a stick and a borrowed helmet. Played on Roces skates for a while... Slowly collected gear along the way (doing internships doesnt really pay much, neither does making beds or waitering in a hotel).

Fast forward to today, half my garage is full with gear (thanks to the guys on MSH). 20 sticks, 5 OPS, 6 pairs of skates, 6 pairs of gloves.

I play with all the equipment on, never really felt slower with all the gear on... thats inclusive of the two knee braces I wear underneath my shin pads.