How can I get better

[thegongshow13 0]

I started playing hockey when I was 18 years old because I had always wanted to but my family couldn't afford league fees. In turn i've never had any coaching for hockey. My first season I was terrible, but then I improved my next season and so on. However the league I was playing in basically turned into a B league, and the C I was playing in is basically another B in itself. So my question is simply: What can I do to get better at hockey. My weakest points are:

- 2 foot stops, and stopping to my left is weaker then my right (I am righty)

- Catching passes while I'm moving

- Keeping my head up while making a move (I only have one)

- And my biggest problem (positioning)

Any help would be appreciated guys.

[number21 3]

Whatever classes you can afford, sign up!

I started as an adult too, but at 26! Organized classes with drills really help with skating/stopping. Catching passes while moving is still something I struggle with, much to other guys frustration I'm sure. Wish I had some advice on that.

For positioning, I just watched games. Beer league or pros, just pick out a guy playing your position. Watch him and make mental notes. Or before or after games talk to your line mates about it.

[flyerman 0]

Go to as many adult developmental and skills clinics as you can. I played as a kid then stopped and picked up hockey again in my late 20's. Best thing I ever did to improve was go to a CAN/AM adult camp in Guelph, Ontario. It's hockey hockey hockey and so much fun. The coaching is outstanding with a lot of one on one attention. Single best thing I ever did to identify and correct bad hockey habits and have fun doing it:

http://www.canamhockey.com/index.php?view=adult_camps

[automorph 0]

back to basics.........learn to skate at high level, then start with hockey stuff

[thegongshow13 0]

Go to as many adult developmental and skills clinics as you can. I played as a kid then stopped and picked up hockey again in my late 20's. Best thing I ever did to improve was go to a CAN/AM adult camp in Guelph, Ontario. It's hockey hockey hockey and so much fun. The coaching is outstanding with a lot of one on one attention. Single best thing I ever did to identify and correct bad hockey habits and have fun doing it:

http://www.canamhockey.com/index.php?view=adult_camps

I'd probably go to lake placid myself but that sounds like a really good idea, how much does the camp cost if you remember?

[sitzlejd 0]

Catching passes and keeping your head up are things that only come from practice and experience. Hockey stops, stopping both ways, etc. could be improved dramatically by attending some kind of skating instruction. See if your rink has someone that does personal instruction if there aren't any camps or if the camps are too expensive. As far as positioning, I'll just echo the previous posts and say become an NHL fan if you're not one already. Watch the Devils (or the Rangers or Flyers depending on how far back your allegiance goes) and observe how the pros play.

Good luck bro! It's worth all the work when it comes together in a game. As a late starter myself, nothing feels better than seeing yourself improve.

[Chadd 916]

I would see if you can find a coach that will give you a private lesson or two. You will improve much more with individual attention and direct feedback on your skating and shooting. I would suggest working on skating as much as possible in those sessions.

[thegongshow13 0]

thanks guys, i'm definately an avid devils fan, been to a few games this year, my life's just been a little hectic recently, but I want to get back into everything.

[reyno2ac 0]

Go to as many adult developmental and skills clinics as you can. I played as a kid then stopped and picked up hockey again in my late 20's. Best thing I ever did to improve was go to a CAN/AM adult camp in Guelph, Ontario. It's hockey hockey hockey and so much fun. The coaching is outstanding with a lot of one on one attention. Single best thing I ever did to identify and correct bad hockey habits and have fun doing it:

http://www.canamhockey.com/index.php?view=adult_camps

I'd probably go to lake placid myself but that sounds like a really good idea, how much does the camp cost if you remember?

It says:

Week is $900 or $1425 Resident

Weekend is $625 or $795 Resident

[Cole13 0]

i didnt start playing till i was 13, so now im 17 and i went through the same stuff, i just got on the ice as much as possible, practiced what needed work and it improved, practice makes perfect

[dangler16 0]

It says:

Week is $900 or $1425 Resident

Semi-privates are the best. Find 5 players who want to work on getting better. come up with a set rate you can all afford. $30 / player or something in the range. Find a coach at the rink, 180 for an hour isn't bad. It's like having a personal trainer in the gym.

$900/ $50max per lesson = 18+ lessons --> twice a week = 9 weeks

2 sticktimes X $10 dollars per Sticktime (skate n shoots) x 9weeks = $180

--so for $1100 you can skate 4 hours a week for 9 weeks

--take a lesson and during the sticktime repeat what you learned

--extending the ice time over a stretch of weeks increases the time for muscle memory to kick in. If you are in a camp your skills aren't going to expand exponentially. Train for 9 weeks hard and you skills will improve drastically.

GOOD LUCK

[Zamboni 6]

--take a lesson and during the sticktime repeat what you learned

What he said, you need to work on your own the instruction given-especially skating correction.

Are you almost at a level where you can coach kids beginning hockey? Always a shortage of coaches, contact your local hl and with a more experienced friend coach a team-or just volunteer as an assistant. You'll get some free ice every week-really pick up on postioning trying to get kids to seperate and play positional.

[thegongshow13 0]

--take a lesson and during the sticktime repeat what you learned

What he said, you need to work on your own the instruction given-especially skating correction.

Are you almost at a level where you can coach kids beginning hockey? Always a shortage of coaches, contact your local hl and with a more experienced friend coach a team-or just volunteer as an assistant. You'll get some free ice every week-really pick up on postioning trying to get kids to seperate and play positional.

I'm definitely at that level, I'm in central jersey right now, real close to Bridgewater sports arena, but that rink is in the toilet, anyone know anything about protech in jersey, or any other rinks with teams I could help coach?

[theWB 2]

--take a lesson and during the sticktime repeat what you learned

Excellent info. Find some sticktime to practice what you learn. Since it isn't public skating, you won't look strange out there with equipment and a stick and even if you are only practicing skating, at least wear your helmet, gloves and stick. As you a little better, try and find a group of pickup hockey with similiar skill to yours. I always try stuff in pickup I wouldn't in a game. There is more time to think as it is usually more layed back and your teammates won't get mad if you loose the puck trying something new.

[RecLeagueHero 0]

If you've already played a few years I think best bet would be to find a private instructor and do a once a week session for at least a few months. You really need someone to point out your individual trouble areas and teach you ways of improving on them. Once you understand what you're doing wrong, the right way, and practice methods you can start working on your problems by yourself.

Playing drop in, especially if there are some more talented skaters there that will give you a pointer here and there, can be good as well. However, be careful with drop in hockey: you can use it as great practice time, or turn it into a time for you to pick up really bad habits.

[fieldofdreams 0]

I'm definitely at that level, I'm in central jersey right now, real close to Bridgewater sports arena, but that rink is in the toilet, anyone know anything about protech in jersey, or any other rinks with teams I could help coach?

Try Wall Sports area, in Wall, or the Ice House in Hackensack. Maybe Mennen arena? Even if it isn't a club team, just a house team, it wouldn't hurt to jump aboard.

As for trying to learn.... I am a FIRM believer that good positioning will compensate any lack of skating or puckhandling ability. Especially in beginner level Beer Leagues, just "getting in the way" of the opposition is usually good enough to break up a play.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

If you've already played a few years I think best bet would be to find a private instructor and do a once a week session for at least a few months. You really need someone to point out your individual trouble areas and teach you ways of improving on them. Once you understand what you're doing wrong, the right way, and practice methods you can start working on your problems by yourself.

Playing drop in, especially if there are some more talented skaters there that will give you a pointer here and there, can be good as well. However, be careful with drop in hockey: you can use it as great practice time, or turn it into a time for you to pick up really bad habits.

Totally agree. You can practice all you want by yourself, but if you're practicing bad habits or have no idea how to fix your trouble areas, you'll have a hard time getting better. It helps a lot to have someone watch you and just be able to say "No you're doing this and this wrong, do it like this." Sometimes you can't tell you're doing something until someone points it out to you.

Apart from taking instructions and going to camps, it really is all about practice. I understand it's hard for some people to go out and get ice time because of a job/family, but it's pretty much the only way you can improve your skating. If you go to a stick and puck, concentrate on practicing and not just shooting at posts or an empty net. Sometimes it's hard to do, so if you find yourself doing that too much, put your pucks away.

[sickwilly 37]

As far as skating goes, Laura Stamm's old power skating books are great. Certainly won't replace practice, though.

Big thing that I see most newer players needing to work on (skating) is keeping the right knee bend (usually not deep enough because it's a LOT more work) and using their edges well for power and balance.

[DBLMINR 0]

sounds simple, but just watch good players and pay close attn to there form and how they do things, that helped me

[meteor 0]

Laura Stamm's power skating DVD is also excellent -- I picked it up on ebay for about 10 bucks.