How do I get started learning to play hockey

[bartolomeo1021 0]

I am a college student who really wants to learn how to play hockey. I used to play street hockey a lot back in the day and thought how fun it would be to play the real deal. My first thoughts were I need to learn how to skate and have been debating about whether I should get a pair of hockey skates to learn in because I've heard that hockey skates are different from normal ice skates. Any and all advice is welcomed!

[BarDownGinos 3]

I really hope this isn't a serious question, but in case it is:

Yes, you need hockey skates to play hockey.

You need to learn how to skate BEFORE you try and start playing, it will make the learning curve a little less steep.

[wrangler 157]

I am a college student who really wants to learn how to play hockey. I used to play street hockey a lot back in the day and thought how fun it would be to play the real deal. My first thoughts were I need to learn how to skate and have been debating about whether I should get a pair of hockey skates to learn in because I've heard that hockey skates are different from normal ice skates. Any and all advice is welcomed!

I haven't heard of "normal" ice skates -- presumably you mean figure skates? I don't see any advantage to learning in figure skates, if you're not going to do figure skating. If you're going to buy skates, buy hockey skates. But before investing in everything, why not go to a public skate at a local rink, get some rental skates, and see how you like it?

[GoBucky 0]

Buy a pair of hockey skates and take a, "learn to skate" class. Then, get enrolled in some kind of beginner's hockey class or league. You definetly dont want to just buy a pair of skates, buy the gear and drop into an open hockey league. Most people in those are pretty decent players and you probably would get eaten alive. You definetly want to ease into it with other new players so that you actually have a chance and can have fun without feeling overwelmed or intimiated.

[Zombies #77 10]

I haven't heard of "normal" ice skates -- presumably you mean figure skates? I don't see any advantage to learning in figure skates, if you're not going to do figure skating. If you're going to buy skates, buy hockey skates. But before investing in everything, why not go to a public skate at a local rink, get some rental skates, and see how you like it?

Be careful with rentals. If it's your first time and you get a bad pair, you might think all skates are bad and give up. I have seen people leave and never want to skate again after using rentals, and after trying them on at the local rink (waiting for my skates to be sharpened) I can see why. I know not all rentals are bad, but it might not give you a good indication if you will like it or not.

[Axxion89 32]

Ok, what you stated is almost a carbon copy of how I started out. I played street hockey in middle of the road since I was about 7 years old and never touched ice until I was 19. Therefore I can give you some advice that most people can't or don't understand.

1st - How long and how good are you at street hockey? I ask because you will maintain most of your stickhandling, game sense, and mechanics with the stick and will speed up your development. Most people I know as "beginners" cant even lift the puck off the, stickhandle, or even shoot he puck. If you can do that on ice, you are off to a great start.

2nd - Have you ever roller bladed or ice skated and were you good? I sucked starting out and was where I needed to learn. I knew how to rollerblade so I knew the stride and turning but other than that, I was a pylon. Took some time to crossover, skate backwards, stop, and after 2.5 years, I can't backwards crossover still so it takes time or training from a class. If you have never skated, go to some open skating and skate around to see if you like it and is something you can do.

3rd - Do you have any friends who can help you? Do you know anyone currently playing ice who can help you if needed or lend you equipment to try out?

Ok so depending on the answers to these questions here what you do:

If you have some ability and really want to play, buy a pair of used cheap ice skates and some basic equipment. The cheaper the better and if you can borrow stuff do it. Find a stick and puck or an open ice and give it a go. If you like it like I did, start buying better and new equipment as you get better.

If you are a complete stranger to the game, rent skates and try and buy used equipment and try a beginner class. After a few sessions, you will know what you want to do.

[start_today 772]

Ask local rinks if they have any beginner programs, or if they don't, if they can recommend any. Many rinks have programs (both classes and leagues) dedicated toward teaching adults how to play. I have a number for friends who are just learning, and the ones who take classes are progressing much more quickly than the ones who spend the same amount of time on the ice, but just going to stick time or pick up sessions.

Learning to skate well is key. There are lots of guys who spend time in their basement shooting, but never practice skating, or took any sort of class. Lots of these guys can shoot hard in warm ups, but during any sort of game are a huge liability because they can't get to a puck, get in the play, or stop. Putting your effort into skating will make everything else come much more easily.

[GoBucky 0]

Learning to skate well is key. There are lots of guys who spend time in their basement shooting, but never practice skating, or took any sort of class. Lots of these guys can shoot hard in warm ups, but during any sort of game are a huge liability because they can't get to a puck, get in the play, or stop. Putting your effort into skating will make everything else come much more easily.

Definetly agree with this. Being able to skate well is so important in hockey. If you cant skate, you cant play ice hockey. Id recommend being able to skate foreward, backward, and be able to hockey stop before you even pick up a stick and try shooting. Crossovers are a great thing to know how to do, but I dont think they are 100% required in order to play hockey. I see plenty of guys at open hockey who dont ever do crossovers and still do fine.

Personally, when I first got into playing hockey as an adult I had never skated in my life and I spent 1 1/2 years going to public skate working on my skating before I even picked up a stick.

Now, while my shooting isnt as good as most people, I can skate circles around them and beat them to the open ice simply because Ive worked on my skating so much. Even now, I go to public skate as much as I can (usually 1-2 times a week) so that I can continue to work on my skating and get better at it.

[Bimmer 0]

I was in the same boat as you. I decided to forego signing up for the summer adult leage and signed up for the adult version of "learn to skate". Along with the class I go to open skate as much as I can and try to squeeze in some Stick and Puck sessions, not so much to work on hockey skills, more to work on SKATING skills..I would also stay away from rental skates since they are typcially broken down and pretty much useless for a beginner to learn how to work the "edges". We have a guy in our class who went the rental route on all of his equipment and while the majority of the equipment is fine, he has problems every week with the skates because they give him no ankle support and are so broken down they fail to give him any support for his foot or ankle. Buy a decent set of new skates that you can afford. I bought a set of Bauer One70's and while they were over $300, I had them baked to fit my foot and they are perfect. They are breaking in to my feet and skating style and have become extremely comfortable. I should mention that I went with the one70's because I have a wide foot and at the time it was the only brand that came in wide, and while expensive I do not regret it one bit now..The rest of the equipment can be purchased reasonably, and since you'll most likely be playing non-contact you can go with farily inexpensive stuff..The CCM Fit series or Bauer Vapor X series stuff can be had reasonably and is fine a this point.

At this point in your "career", learning to skate IMO is more important than anything else. Start of with good equipment and you'll be better off..

[GoBucky 0]

I should mention that I went with the one70's because I have a wide foot and at the time it was the only brand that came in wide, and while expensive I do not regret it one bit now..The rest of the equipment can be purchased reasonably, and since you'll most likely be playing non-contact you can go with farily inexpensive stuff..The CCM Fit series or Bauer Vapor X series stuff can be had reasonably and is fine a this point.

At this point in your "career", learning to skate IMO is more important than anything else. Start of with good equipment and you'll be better off..

I have wide feet too and found that CCMs and Reeboks fit me a lot better than Bauers or Eastons (everyone is different though). I started out with a pair of Nike Bauer Supereme One50s in R width and they were too narrow for me. They would cause the outside of my right foot to ache after a while and they werent a model that wasnt bakable, so I was kind of stuck. They were decent for a pair of $80 skates though and might have been OK in an E width.

I kept the Bauers until they started to break down in the ankle area and then I went and bought a $200 pair of CCMs that I have now, which is a night and day difference.

Skates are something that, IMO, you should never go cheap on and should be really particular about because they are the piece of equipment that has the single most impact on your enjoyment in terms of performance and comfort. Hockey/skating is no fun when your feet hurt all the time.

[interpathway 9]

I started out with a pair of Nike Bauer Supereme One50s in R width and they were too narrow for me. They would cause the outside of my right foot to ache after a while and they werent a model that wasnt bakable,

Future reference, they could've been punched out to help alleviate some of the stress on your foot.

[regularjoe 1]

Buy your own skates - doesn't have to be top of the line but something better than rentals, i.e., everything. You will enjoy the experience much more.

Take skating lessons and any adult learn to play hockey clinics offered in your area. Don't be afraid to take them over and over and over. Just because you take the class once doesn't mean you have it mastered to the point where you can do it on demand at game speed.

Also, while your street hockey background will help you, doing it on ice with a regulation puck and ice hockey skates will be different than on a street with a Mylec ball/inline puck and sneakers/rollerblades so go in with an open mind and be ready to "un-learn" some things.

[GoBucky 0]

Future reference, they could've been punched out to help alleviate some of the stress on your foot.

Maybe, it might have been futile though considering they were R width and I wear a d width shoe and am currently wearing d width skates. They would have needed to punch out the entire outside of the right foot. It was my fault. I should have went to an actual skate shop instead of just going to a sporting goods store and just buying a skate off the rack without really know what I was looking for. My fault for not being an informed consumer.

I actually really wanted another pair of Bauers when I went shopping and ended up with the CCMs but even d width Bauers were too narrow for me. I need something with a lot of toe room (I have bunions from years of wearing standard width shoes) and the Bauers just didnt have it. D width Eastons were too narrow for me too, and I went with CCMs after the salesman at the skate shop suggested them because they tend to run a bit wider than do Bauers and Eastons.