I'm a NOOB that just bought gear for the first time!....

[Vathsdrop 0]

It reminds me that IH is a pricy sport.

Doesn't matter what you take, as soon as it fits more or less and it doesn't hurt. No worries if it's not perfect, you'll get used to it very quickly, you are actually establishing your "likings" now. You'll see later if you'll upgrade, you'll never feel as good as in your first set of gears in which you broke your hockey cherry or not :D

If you have to spend big money it is worth only for the stick the rest is bullshit. Just for the skates make sure to have the adequate support.

And that's it. Jog a bit everyday, eat vegetables, dont leave the ice before you sweat like a pig, ... and you'll be just fine :)

[Big Jim 1]

It reminds me that IH is a pricy sport.

Doesn't matter what you take, as soon as it fits more or less and it doesn't hurt. No worries if it's not perfect, you'll get used to it very quickly, you are actually establishing your "likings" now. You'll see later if you'll upgrade, you'll never feel as good as in your first set of gears in which you broke your hockey cherry or not :D

If you have to spend big money it is worth only for the stick the rest is bullshit. Just for the skates make sure to have the adequate support.

And that's it. Jog a bit everyday, eat vegetables, dont leave the ice before you sweat like a pig, ... and you'll be just fine :)

Thanks for the reply bro.

I have a question. Tommorrow I want to go check out a stick and puck at a local rink. I've never been and I really don't know what to expect. I know they're probably different everywhere but I'm a little nervous as I don't know what to expect. I'm afraid of trucking all my gear into the locker room and not having a place to put it when I go out to skate or if we can even use the locker rooms? Sounds like a stupid question but I'm brand new to this.. does anyone have any pointers? I guess there is only one way to find out...just do it.

[SirJW 207]

You probably get a locker room to change in. You can ask when you pay which locker is available. It's probably pretty casual. Some rinks wont allow it to turn into a pick up others will. Make sure to bring a puck cuz some rinks provide pucks some don't. Do you have under garments? Make sure to bring them or a change of clothes. Also decide if you are going to shower at the rink or at home. If you shower at the rink make sure to wear shower shoes and to bring a towel, soap and shampoo. Don't forget to bring cash to pay and leave your valuables locked and hidden in your car. Locker rooms are no place to leave that stuff. Just relax, when you get there. When you hit the ice warm up a bit by doing a few laps then stretch a bit (you'll probably learn what to stretch at the class so for today there should be at least one person stretching just do what he does but don't over do it). After that, just get comfortable in your gear on skates on the ice. I'd stay away from any PU just go to a corner and work on your game. If there is a goalie, keep shots low, he doesn't need to be hit in the head in a stick time. Have fun!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_quer...m=0&spell=1

http://hockeymonkey.ecomm-search.com/searc...p;Search=submit

[skarbro 0]

Remember to stretch afterwards if you are not conditioned. Otherwise you wil be sore a couple of days after.

Oh and you don't want to know my taping habits because I'm nuts with the tape! Everyone does it differently. The only two things about taping that are somewhat popular is making a butt and the top of the stick, and taping heel to toe on the blade. Some people do completely different things, but that is your choice!

White tape won't mess up your palms as bad as some coloured tapes.

[duch 0]

Welcome to the world of ice hockey Big Jim. I'm in a agreement with a lot of the other guys about your choice of equipment, very well done. Middle of the line is great for any beginner and you've nailed it almost perfectly. Again as previously mentioned, good fit is what your after. As long as your comfortable with what you have that's all that matters regardless of the name brand and what you've picked up is reasonably protective for the level your playing at. You can gradually upgrade now as your skill increases and you start playing a little more seriously in the future. You'll love the comradeship and socialibility this game provides as well. So it's game on buddy!

[AIREAYE 248]

The 4K helmet is great, except that you should've gottena better price for them, oh well. I got mine 2 years ago for $90 CDN, they've dropped to as low as $60 recently

[TBLfan 25]

Why? He's not playing in a contact league and unless he's gonna have some freak accident where he falls directly on his elbow...the ones he has are just fine.

Beginners fall a lot.

[rachael7 1]

Beginners fall a lot.

+1 in a major way. Good shins and elbows will make life a lot more pleasant for the noobs and quite possible avoid an injury that impacts play. Pants where the hip pads give good coverage to the "landing zones" make a huge difference, too. When it doesn't hurt to fall, confidence comes much easier!

[Big Jim 1]

I'm impressed with all the replys..thanks guys/gals.

Didn't make it to stick and puck today, but I am going to public skate in a bit.. I'm hoping it's pretty slow as it's sunday night. As for falling, I'm not that terrible, although once I actually start playing I might fall alot more...maybe that's what you were refering to. I can understand that. Again, the only piece of gear I'm not crazy about is the elbowpads. They stay put though and seem like they'll be quite protective. If they drive me nuts after this first practice I'll go pick up some that are more comfortable. I'm hoping they break in a little bit. I got large but they're a little tight...which I don't completely understand because my arms aren't that big.

I keep looking over and admiring my stick... I got her all taped up now and ready to go.

Ooh.. what is the difference or the *supposed* difference maybe I should say in taping heel to toe vs toe to heel? I've seen this argument before and I'm wondering what the argument is exactly?

I taped heel to toe

'

[rachael7 1]

Ooh.. what is the difference or the *supposed* difference maybe I should say in taping heel to toe vs toe to heel? I've seen this argument before and I'm wondering what the argument is exactly?

I was told it is so the overlapped tape edges grip the puck as it rolls off the blade when you shoot so that you get more grip and the blade imparts more spin to the puck. Makes some sense I suppose, if you think about the edge of the tape getting rolled back a bit and the adhesive getting exposed to the puck. Sounds a bit iffy to me though, honestly. Perhaps in truth it is more like making sure you always put on your left skate first or sit next to Sully at the bar?

[Chadd 916]

You really aren't going to feel any difference at first. Until you begin to feel so comfortable on your skates that you aren't thinking about skating, you aren't going to be able to feel a lot of nuances.

[psh 25]

Dude, you're set up. Enjoy.

Most important thing is comfort with your gear. After a few sweaty skates, you're gear will be broken in and fit like a charm (skates may take a little longer).

Welcome back to the game.

[SirJW 207]

Oh, don't forget a water bottle and a skate rag to use on the ice when you are sweaty and to dry your skates and stick blade when you change.

[scorpionhockey55 0]

I got large but they're a little tight...which I don't completely understand because my arms aren't that big.

'

Could just need to break in some. Once you start playing you probably won't notice them too much. Unless they are just super uncomfortable. You could step up to an x-large if they are too small on you.

[Johan Santana 0]

elbow pads i feel always feel too big or small, but after a few games of breakin, they feel great

[Big Jim 1]

I just got back from public skate with a buddy of mine. Had a really nice skate....it was dead and the ice was A LOT nicer that it has been in the past. They have two rinks at this one place..one rink is always public skating and the other there's always guys out there playing hockey. I talked to one of them...real cool guy said he just picked it up himself about a month ago. He said what they were doing was drop in hockey and anyone could do it so I'm pretty pumped for that...it was just a small group of guys dinkin around taking shots and stuff...exactly what I'm looking for. He was a pretty cool guy..said they get new guys quite a bit and everyones cool about it so that was good news as well.

I worked on my stopping tonight a little bit. I'm getting pretty good and confident with stopping to the left....I just can't seem to work any "feel" for going right. I practiced the "t stop or snowplow stop" with each foot individually as well and got the hang of it with both feet. Just still couldn't seem to get both feet working together when stopping to the left.

I have a couple questions.... what's a good way to practice stopping or doing anything really with your outside edges?? The snowplow stop uses my inside edge and I'm getting a little more comfortable with that.

And I feel like I have all of my weight on my heels. I was trying to concentrate on putting the weight on the balls of my feet(this is where it should be right?) but found myself always almost curling my foot(inside the skate obv) and having the weight on my heels. Hopefully this is something that just comes with experience/practice.

[jumtao 0]

And I feel like I have all of my weight on my heels. I was trying to concentrate on putting the weight on the balls of my feet(this is where it should be right?) but found myself always almost curling my foot(inside the skate obv) and having the weight on my heels. Hopefully this is something that just comes with experience/practice.

Try bending your knees more so that it's over the toe of your skates. While in this stance you will notice that you'll be on the balls of your foot naturally. Don't try to over compensate for this by bending your back as it will cause for bad posture and hurt your balance. Stay relaxed, head up, and BEND THOSE KNEES!

[skyscrape 5]

I just got back from public skate with a buddy of mine. Had a really nice skate....it was dead and the ice was A LOT nicer that it has been in the past. They have two rinks at this one place..one rink is always public skating and the other there's always guys out there playing hockey. I talked to one of them...real cool guy said he just picked it up himself about a month ago. He said what they were doing was drop in hockey and anyone could do it so I'm pretty pumped for that...it was just a small group of guys dinkin around taking shots and stuff...exactly what I'm looking for. He was a pretty cool guy..said they get new guys quite a bit and everyones cool about it so that was good news as well.

I worked on my stopping tonight a little bit. I'm getting pretty good and confident with stopping to the left....I just can't seem to work any "feel" for going right. I practiced the "t stop or snowplow stop" with each foot individually as well and got the hang of it with both feet. Just still couldn't seem to get both feet working together when stopping to the left.

I have a couple questions.... what's a good way to practice stopping or doing anything really with your outside edges?? The snowplow stop uses my inside edge and I'm getting a little more comfortable with that.

And I feel like I have all of my weight on my heels. I was trying to concentrate on putting the weight on the balls of my feet(this is where it should be right?) but found myself always almost curling my foot(inside the skate obv) and having the weight on my heels. Hopefully this is something that just comes with experience/practice.

What rink are you skating at Big Jim?

[Big Jim 1]

Today it was at traquility ice plex. Did you use to live in omah, ne?

One thing that pisses me off is they never reverse the way you skate..it's always counter clockwise.

[skyscrape 5]

Today it was at traquility ice plex. Did you use to live in omah, ne?

One thing that pisses me off is they never reverse the way you skate..it's always counter clockwise.

No I did not live there. I was just wondering where you were playing and did not see it in the posts.

As far as the skating goes, at least your left crossovers will be strong! :lol:

[Big Jim 1]

First "practice" tonight. I did fairly well especially for my first time in gear. I was surprised at how much it didn't hurt to fall with gear. Threw my lower back out a little bit trying to save myself(I think) which sucks but not unusual for me. Should be fine by next week, I'll just have to try to be more careful.

My left skate "clicks" when I walk on it. Something tells me that that's not normal. Any advice?

[Johan Santana 0]

where is the clicking coming from? the runners? the holder? both are bad...but one is much worse

[Chadd 916]

My left skate "clicks" when I walk on it. Something tells me that that's not normal. Any advice?

Steel is likely loose, have it tightened.

[TBLfan 25]

If it's the scalloped steel it might be the weight of the player... considering his SN is "Big Jim."

[Big Jim 1]

Steel is likely loose, have it tightened.

I'll take it into the shop where I bought them, hopefully they'll fix em for free since they're less than a month old. I'm about 220-230lbs. I think I hit the blade of my left skate (heel part) against the boards where we were skating backwards. It wasn't too hard, but I'm betting that's what did it. Can I tighten the blade myself? If I remember right there's screws holding that in place, whereas the holder is rivets, no?

If it's the scalloped steel it might be the weight of the player... considering his SN is "Big Jim."

what's scalloped steel?