questions about drop ins

[stevelknievel 51]

ok im still quite green to ice hockey but ive been trying to hit sticks and pucks as often as i can (which ends up being twice a month if im lucky my work schedule sucks) and what i really need to work on is my skating but sticks and pucks is becoming kind of a pita to go to when i usually have stuff on the weekends going on. my question is at what level do you think someone should hit drop ins? i know i suck, bad lol my skating needs to be improved ALOT, i want to go to get some experience but at the same time i really dont want to get in peoples way too much and stop someone who can really play from being out there when i get my ass out there for a shift.

[automorph 0]

any level is fine, more you are on the ice, better you will get

sometimes you will skate with a$$#@%es who wont pass you the puck

[ts.krajewski 0]

well drop in at our rink suck, only about 4 people show and no goalie. Nice part about that is its more just open ice to practice on. Normally i-league players so that is also a good thing.

[reyno2ac 0]

It doesn't matter how well you can skate, drop in is for all skill levels. The point of hockey is to have fun!

[Kevin 5]

I am assuming pick-up and drop in are the same. Rink run programs are usually open to all skill levels. However, most pick-up hours are run by people renting the ice and are geared to a specific range of levels, e.g., C/D, A/B, beginners, etc. I do not know where you live, so I do not know how many options you have. There might be a local group that is perfect for you.

[sickwilly 37]

I am assuming pick-up and drop in are the same. Rink run programs are usually open to all skill levels. However, most pick-up hours are run by people renting the ice and are geared to a specific range of levels, e.g., C/D, A/B, beginners, etc. I do not know where you live, so I do not know how many options you have. There might be a local group that is perfect for you.

Good point. If it's rink-run, keep going. It may be the best way to catch on with that perfect group... which you might enjoy more. We all were beginners at some point in our lives.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Yea, they're may be guys who will throw you one pass, and if you don't handle it properly they'll never pass to you again.

However, there will be a couple guys who will give you pointers on the bench if you want, and make it a point to keep you involved in the play if you ask them for some help.

Just talk to guys on the bench, make some friends and dont be afraid to ask for help

[kevineleven 0]

I have been playing for about a year now and was also a bit wary of playing pick up, fearing I would be ruining it for the better players.

What I have found is - most players are happy to help out someone who is learning. Experienced players won't have a problem playing a good game with people of lesser skill levels. You will see that the guys who are complaining about your skill level are often not the greatest players.

Remember that there is alot to master in this game...someone may be a great skater and need work on their stick handling etc...so focus on your strengths.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

[fatwabbit 93]

drop ins - great place to meet people, as well as teach some newer players the game. Main purpose is to have fun, regardless of the skill level.

I would say that a lot of the players are very willing to share ideas or tips on improving the game. There will be some guys who are hotdogs and just puck hog, but you can get away with not passing to them at all.

For myself, if I know that someone is really new to the game, I'll hold back when they get the puck... give them a little time and space to stick handle and maybe make a pass or shot, builds their confidence, and allows them to play... Last thing you would want to do is to strip the person of the puck... there's no way they can improve in the game if you keep doing that. Shows what a douche you are when that happens. Our drop ins normally run on 2-3 minute shifts, with an actual countdown timer that will beep to let everyone know that its time to change... gives everyone a chance to play, and so far most if not all the players abide by that rule. I think its great, as when the lines change you have a chance to see who you're up against, and whether you need to hold back or play as normal.

Darkbyte is a good example of someone who is always looking to improving her game... she's started to play in the drop ins recently, and has been doing pretty well... she did take an unintentional hit last week (missed that as I left early)...

[jeffw 1]

Consider that when you play at drop in you'll only have a puck on your stick for a few minutes at most. It's a good way to get game experience and advice but for skills you're gonna want to hit the stick time. Maybe see if your rink has a 'learn to play hockey' program. It was free at my old rink.

[n3ss 0]

I've been playing for less than a year and i think pick up hockey has probably been a great help. If i'm not getting much puck time skating up, or the other team is playing hard D against a bender like my self, then i drop back and play D and get in their way as much as possible.

There is no stick time for adults here on any regular basis (wtf?) so pick up/ learn to play are my only options.

[BlackIce 1]

Drop in is a great place to get some ice time. My local community rink has drop in but it's packed. It's a great deal for $4.65 for 1.5 hours, we usually have 4 goalies. I've found that the real superstars (x-NCAA, x-OHL players are generally very cool) These guys understand that they are elite players and know the practice and time that they have put into the game. Many of these guys have been on skates since they were 4 years old and know they are good. They pass and try to make you look good. I find that many of these guys understand the deal. However, the guys who are good but think they are better than they are or who didn't reach their full potential have real problems out there and are generally the pricks. If you are a real beginner I find most of the guys will let you carry the puck for a bit and not just try to get it off you. Good luck!

[stevelknievel 51]

first off, thank you to all of your for your input and advice!!! the only real sticks and pucks time i get to go on is sunday evening and with my terrible work schedule im usually busy. my local rinks have late drop ins that i can hit after work and i really need some game experience lol

and all the rinks here have those programs but theyre like every weekend and with my schedule i cant see forking out 100 bucks or more for something ill probably miss half of.

again i want to thank all of you guys for your help and advice! and any more advice / opinions are appreciated

[dsjunior1388 81]

Drop in is a great place to get some ice time. My local community rink has drop in but it's packed. It's a great deal for $4.65 for 1.5 hours, we usually have 4 goalies. I've found that the real superstars (x-NCAA, x-OHL players are generally very cool) These guys understand that they are elite players and know the practice and time that they have put into the game. Many of these guys have been on skates since they were 4 years old and know they are good. They pass and try to make you look good. I find that many of these guys understand the deal. However, the guys who are good but think they are better than they are or who didn't reach their full potential have real problems out there and are generally the pricks. If you are a real beginner I find most of the guys will let you carry the puck for a bit and not just try to get it off you. Good luck!

Yea, if there are elite players at a game, certain people get it in their heads that they are trying out, like the elite player is going to go back to his coach in the OHL or wherever and tell him to draft some dude he saw in drop in. What really happens is they hog the puck, take about 100 shots, and spend the time in the locker room talking about how they put 4 home, not mentioning that the shooting percentage is less than 5% and that everyone there was grumbling about them on the bench.

[Darkbyte 0]

Darkbyte is a good example of someone who is always looking to improving her game... she's started to play in the drop ins recently, and has been doing pretty well... she did take an unintentional hit last week (missed that as I left early)...

Haha yeah, nothing like a shoulder in the chest, Im so glad he angled it so as to not catch my more feminine features on the way through.

We have a few dropin sessions, I asked around and found out which one is geared towards the newer players. So I play with mostly with women and 30+ men. Everyone is laid back, they let me have the puck for a little while (some people let me have it for the count of 5, others will wait for me to drop it or pass it, sometimes they will let me go coast to coast and take a shot)

The biggest thing I find with playing with people who can play is adjusting to the pace. Everything happens so quickly, sometimes you think that your playing against superheros. After you've done a few shifts you adjust, and as the night progresses, they get tired and things start happening at your pace (tip: take short shifts and let them wear themselves out a bit and start slowing down :P)

I tend to sit in D, it find its easier to deal with because the rest of the players are infront of me. I make a point for focus on the things that dont require me having the puck e.g. making it harder for someone to make a shot on goal/pass to their team mates - Im not seriously thinking about the puck, just learning how to keep people wide and try to tie up/move anyone who is in the slot (I have a lot of fun with this, especially when playing against the bigger guys, we both have a laugh as I trying to move someone who weighs twice as much as I do).

I go in with the attitude, that if I want the puck, I have to go get it. I dont ever expect anyone to pass to me. So, I spend a lot of time chasing loose pucks into the corner. I havent won a battle in the corner yet, but I have earned some respect from the younger guys for giving it a go. For the first 1/2 dozen attempts the tussle would end with me on my bum, these days Im still standing and trying to make a second attempt at the puck.

As Ive gotten more confidence, Ive started to move up the other end become involved in the offensive play, but always make a point to leg it back to our end when there is a turn over (usually because I just caused it by missing a pass/been stripped).

My first game was aweful. I was a bundle of nerves and couldnt do a thing with the puck (thankfully I remembered how to skate... mostly), accidently tripped/smacked into a few guys, etc etc.

Just remember to try your best, get up as soon as you fall down (sometimes you will believe your shadow is out to get you), treat every shift as if it is a new day, have a positive attitude (it can be really hard sometimes) and most of all have fun.

There is no such thing as "I cant do that", its "I cant do that yet".

P.S. Dont be afraid to ask questions, I find people are more than willing to help if you show that you are willing to learn

[Law Goalie 147]

Drop in is a great place to get some ice time. My local community rink has drop in but it's packed. It's a great deal for $4.65 for 1.5 hours, we usually have 4 goalies.

Damn - that's a pretty good deal even for Toronto.

[Moose 1]

I'd agree with most responses here. We were all beginners at some point- so I think >95% of your fellow skater would love to have another body. Personally, I enjoy seeing people getting into playing. It's a hell of a commitment and I'll embrace anyone who steps up to try it. Just be sure the rink doesn't do different drop in for different skill levels- that way you're getting more by being at the right game

[fatwabbit 93]

I tend to sit in D, it find its easier to deal with because the rest of the players are infront of me. I make a point for focus on the things that dont require me having the puck e.g. making it harder for someone to make a shot on goal/pass to their team mates - Im not seriously thinking about the puck, just learning how to keep people wide and try to tie up/move anyone who is in the slot (I have a lot of fun with this, especially when playing against the bigger guys, we both have a laugh as I trying to move someone who weighs twice as much as I do).

who is that my I ask