Tales from a Beginner

[tomv713 0]

1 month ago, I decided to take up Hockey. I knew I would have to learn how to skate first, so I've been trying to make it to the ice rink any chance I get. I'm a 23 year old graduate student, and I constantly use this site to read threads for tips on ice skating. Being a beginner at 23 and a graduate student, its difficult to relate to anyone on ice skating and hockey. I decided to start a thread on my personal experiences so far in order to help/relate to anyone who is in the same position as I am. Feel free to respond with any tips or comments.

When I began skating, it was incredibly frustrating. i knew it was going to be tough, but I didn't expect the problems I had. Both my ankles bent inwards (I later learned they were pronating.) When I researched this problem, I found that it could be caused my multiple things. I discovered people who did this were called "Benders." Most of all, I was worried my problem couldn't be fixed, that the problem was caused by bone structure, flat feet etc. There didn't seem to be a definite answer to this pronating, and I began wondering if I should quit before I invested a lot of money into hockey equiptment. Luckily, I talked to many experienced players, I found out the most likely cause was weak ankles. I got fitted, got some new skates (I had been renting them before), and worked on strengthening my ankles.

The last two weeks have been better. My stride has gotten better, I can skate relatively fast. However, I'm not sure if I'm progressing fast enough. I still have some wobble in my skates, but I only pronate slightly now. I haven't learned how to stop yet, or skate backwards. Not quite sure where I should be skill wise. I feel good on my inside edges, and not comfortable at all using my outside edges.

I went to the rink today, and did not have a good session. I was working on tight turns, and am not comfortable turning to my right. It has started to occur to me that the better you get, the more you fall (because you keep trying new things). I lost my balance while turning, and started to fell. I don't know why, but I decided to lay my arms out. I hit my chest, and then bounced by chin hard off the ice. One of the instructor saw me fall (there were about 4 people on the ice), and skated over. He took one look at me, his eyes widnened and he went to get help. He brought back 3 other people who all had scared looks on their faces. One immediatly insisted on calling an ambulance. I was a bit confused by this, because I felt fine until I saw blood pouring on my shirt and on the ice. I couldn't see it, but I had a facial laceration about 3 inches wide and 3 inches long on my chin. After driving myself to the hospital, I ended up getting 8 stiches in my chin. The only thing I regret is not getting to spend more time on the ice.

This is all I got for now. Again, feel free to give me tips or respond. I figure I would just share my experiences in case it helps anyone. Worst case scenario is you get a good laugh out of it :)

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Lots of circles. Keep the knees bent and try to concentrate on not bobbing your head up and down. All the extension and power should be going through your legs. It'll help with cross-overs and working up your week side. For going backwards, just try simple C-cuts. When you get comfortable with them, try circles backwards. It'll be a bit scary at first, but you just have to have faith and step over to get backwards crossovers. Time and practice. I'm still trying to get my high schoolers to do it right.

Split your chin open, got stitches and worried about the loss of ice time? Yep, you're a hockey player at heart.

[hockeymass 11]

Stopping is not something you pick up right away, so don't be discouraged. Ice skating is not like running, you're not born knowing how to do it and it's not a natural motion.

Building ankle strength is important. It will probably take another month or two for the wobbly ankles to go away.

Skating is about being able to dig hard and be light on your feet at the appropriate times. Sometimes you really need to bite your edges into the ice, and sometimes you need to be able to float on them. It took me between 6 weeks and 2 months to be able to stop on my right side, and another 5 months to stop on the left. Both times it just sort of happened.

You're gonna fall a lot, but eventually you'll just feel at home on a pair of skates and you'll be amazed when you go to a public skate and realize you were one of the people who are falling all over the place.

[DarkStar50 679]

Buy a helmet and mask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elbow pads before you crack those open too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ask the instructor if you can skate with a stick or a stick with the blade cut off, about 3.5'-4' of stick. The stick is an important part of balance on the ice. it is the reason the tight rope walker always had one. Just holding a stick can make things a lot easier on the ice.

[Doctor Hook 0]

Not much more to add other than what was already other than said, but I'll add: stick with it (pun intended). Hockey is the best adult rec league sport in every aspect.

[tareatingrat 4]

Don't get discouraged, just keep doing it. Screw what other people say about your ability, and the people who laugh at you can go straight to hell. They were there at one point, too.

I have a buddy who's coming out to the rinks with me now, who essentially tried to take up the sport two years ago, but only skated a handful of times. He took a beginner's skating course but didn't really skate much aside from that, so he didn't really have a chance to practice. He could barely move on the ice.

Now he's really interested in playing, he's come out to pick-up games maybe 10 times this year and he's improved dramatically. He feels like he's hit a wall and that he's not improving, but a few people I know on the teams we play with have commented that he's getting better. So even though you don't notice, other people definitely do...

I'm a firm believer in skating in situations you'll face when you're playing hockey. Obviously you need the fundamentals, but in a game situation, you have less time to think and you just start reacting. Sure, the first few reactions are going to cause you to fall or whatever, but eventually your body will figure it out. I mean, I eventually just learned to stop to the left, or with my back foot, simply because I had to in certain situations. I honestly couldn't tell you what I'm doing out there, in terms of edge-work or my technique. I just do what I do because I've learned what works for me.

That said, I could probably be much better if I took some courses and learned the "proper" way to skate.

So obviously I'm no skating instructor, but I do find a lot of weaker or beginner players don't have enough of a bend in their knees, and if they do, they over-compensate by bending at their waist, too far forward, throwing off their balance. For hockey, I'm lucky, because I have short powerful legs and a long upper torso, so my center of gravity is low. Most people need to work on not just bending their knees but doing so in a squatting motion, almost like you're sitting in a chair, to keep their balance.

Just keep at it. Really, it's such an unnatural thing to do, it needs to be practiced and practiced and practiced.

[chk hrd 164]

Buy a set of gear to practice in, even if it's inexpensive used gear. It hurts alot less when you fall in hockey pants/elbow protector/helmet, etc. It may even make you progress faster. People will take more risks when they are better protected. When I coached and taught I always told the kids the key to stopping is to remember heels to turn, toes to stop. If you go into a stopping motion and you put your weight on your heels you will end up doing a wild turn and on your butt. The other thing is shoulders over knees, knees over toes. Don't make the mistake of trying to learn to stop by skating towards the boards; do it parrallel or on open ice. I've seen to many people wipe out and get hurt by sliding, falling, high siding, etc. into them.

If you can get a figure skating coach to give you lessons. They will teach you balance, good stride, edge control. Right now you are a prime canidate, you want to learn and you have minimal bad habbits.

[Law Goalie 147]

Great story! I'll admit to a few chuckles, though less at your expense than in support of what any other civilisation would have regarded as a sporting project of utter madness.

I second those urging you to invest in some basic equipment: a helmet and cage, elbow pads, and at least some rudimentary padding for your knees, hips and tailbone are absolute necessities, whether or not you want to invest in shin-pads and pants at this point. Gloves would be next, since thumb-protection is crucial. (I have a bone popping out of my wrist as a constant reminder.)

I also approve the suggestion to get a skating coach of any description. Skating on the ice is entirely about edge control: you can be the strongest person on earth, but if you can't translate that force through a pair of 3-4mm wide rounded, concave blades on the bottom of your feet, it's all for nothing.

For now, I'd spend your on-ice time focussing entirely on your skating, as you have sensibly done; off-ice, get yourself a sheet of HDPE or UHMWPE (species of polyethylene) plastic big enough to practise some stickhandling and shooting. Naturally, you'll be a good bit shorter off your skates, so my suggestion there is to get a stick and cut it to a comfortable height to use off-ice, then add a wooden plug/extension when you start using it on the ice: the extension will also give you a little more leverage in shooting, which should help to compensate for the reduced friction on the ice.

Treat this like you would any other skill: you know how to learn, so it's just a question of time and application. Do anything you can - strength training, conditioning, watching and analysing game footage, watching tema practises - to improve your base of physical and intellectual tools.

I'm a 23 year old graduate student, and I constantly use this site to read threads for tips on ice skating. Being a beginner at 23 and a graduate student, its difficult to relate to anyone on ice skating and hockey.

Not on my account!-- what are you studying, if you don't mind my asking?

[MarsB 33]

Skating coach would be my number one suggestion, but if you are broke like all the other grad students I know (I live in a college town), don't underestimate the internet. Go on youtube and search for "beginner ice hockey skating". There is some noise, but also a surprising wealth of helpful information- tips, drills, exercises - all for free.

[AfftonDad 88]

First I want to say that it is absolutely good advice for him to wear equipment to learn to skate... especially if he is busting his face open... but you gotta admit, it's rough being "that guy"... the grown man that wears full equipment to a public session. If you could find an "adult learn to play" or HNA beginners program, that would be ideal, because EVERYONE will be wearing full equipment and most will be in the same less than proficient state as you. Stick and pucks are great too, because wearing equipment won't look out of place AND you'll get to use a stick. On the wearing equipment thing, even after all these years, I still feel a little less confident when not wearing equipment at a public skate. Plus the balance is a little different.

On a side note, the first time I learned to drop in on a skateboarding half pipe many years ago, I wore my entire set of hockey equipment... minus the skates of course. Took a lot of razzing for that one!

[Axxion89 32]

I am a 22 year old Grad student and started playing as a 19 year old undergrad so you're not alone. Skating is tough but it takes time. Most important thing is to get a good pair of skates that fit you that are yours alone (no rentals) so you can work on your skating and get accustomed to it. As others have said, buy some basic equipment for your own protection and just keep going at it. If you can hire a skating coach to get you going because if you can't skate, you can't play hockey very well at all. It took me about a year to be able to play well and I had previous hockey experience (street/roller), but no skating experience. It can be frustrating and will take time but you will get it. Took me about 2 years to hockey stop and I am on my 3rd year about to almost learn to hockey stop on my opposite side so keep practicing and going at it

[ktang 34]

Tail bone protection is crucial if you're an adult learning to skate backwards.

Also, work on one or two skills at a time; if you try to work on everything at the same time, none of them will progress much. It might be boring, but you'll get there faster.

[BarDownGinos 3]

Check and see if your university offers an ice skating 101 class as an elective.

Increasing leg and ankle strength are going to be huge for you. 1 legged squats will be your friend.

I would recommend against using a stick while learning to skate. I've had arguments with people over this practice but I've always felt people learning how to skate/play later in life use the stick as a crutch more than anything.

[wrangler 157]

That's how "tripod" became an epithet.

[Law Goalie 147]

That's how "tripod" became an epithet.

And now everyone thinks Toulouse-Lautrec couldn't skate well.

[DigDug 5]

Great thread! I'm in a similar boat, and what AfftonDad said below is, to me, the greatest frustration. I want so badly to protect myself, as I *know* that I'll be able to leave my comfort-zone with more zeal, but I just can't bear the thought of looking like some sort of tool, geared up. I always wear a thick jacket so I can put elbow pads on, but I I also want to put on shin pads or something so I can fall forward without fear. Learning to stop without this protection is such a mental hassle - as I so desperately want to throw myself into it, but can't. Its for this reason that I've been seriously tempted to buy some synthetic ice, if only to be able to take risks with a whole bunch of padding on.

.... but you gotta admit, it's rough being "that guy"... the grown man that wears full equipment to a public session.

[BarDownGinos 3]

Great thread! I'm in a similar boat, and what AfftonDad said below is, to me, the greatest frustration. I want so badly to protect myself, as I *know* that I'll be able to leave my comfort-zone with more zeal, but I just can't bear the thought of looking like some sort of tool, geared up. I always wear a thick jacket so I can put elbow pads on, but I I also want to put on shin pads or something so I can fall forward without fear. Learning to stop without this protection is such a mental hassle - as I so desperately want to throw myself into it, but can't. Its for this reason that I've been seriously tempted to buy some synthetic ice, if only to be able to take risks with a whole bunch of padding on.

Ask the rink about Stick & Puck or Drop In times that rarely get people. Go full gear there.

[tomv713 0]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will definitely invest in some padding. Also, thanks for the tips. Money is kind of an issue for me, so I can't really afford private lessons yet. However, there is a Hockey U starting soon at my local rink for adults, only 90 bucks for 8 or so sessions.

I invested in a pair of beginner skates, Easton Synergy 6's. I know they aren't the best skates but I feel at my level (and as a poor student) it wasn't a bad investment.

Every 2 or 3 weeks I'll update everyone with my progress on a new thread. (Glad it could give some chuckles)

Law Goalie:

I'm actually studying advertising at a very good program. Not exactly the most noble of career paths, I tell my mom I'm a drug dealer.

[Law Goalie 147]

That's a good line-- it's about putting the hook in people either way.

[tomv713 0]

We actually have less ill-intent than most people think haha, or thats what i tell people at least.

[wrangler 157]

That's it -- stay in character.

[beth 0]

I started up skating a year and a half ago, and I know what you are going through! I'll repeat the suggestion to buy your pads now - you really cannot learn quickly unless you are unafraid of falling, because falling is a big part of learning your edges. Don't worry about looking foolish - the experienced skaters are going to think the newbies without the pads are the foolish ones.

It takes a while for all the nerves and muscles and fine motor control to get all hooked up, so be realistic about your timeframe for picking up the skating. Even if you get to the ice 3-4 times a week, it will still probably take at least a year to get really comfortable. It's like you're learning to walk all over again, so keep that in mind. But if you work consistently at it, then you should see progress every time you go out. Don't worry so much about speed at this point, focus on a proper stance and balance. Even if you think you are bending your knees enough, you probably aren't. Splurge on a private lesson when you can - a good coach can help so much with your skating, and it is money well spent. Chat up any hockey player you see on the ice and ask them for some tips - everyone is really nice and helpful for people wanting to learn!

You should post where you are and maybe someone can meet you for a skate!

[Chappie 0]

The fact that you split your chin open in front of others, got back up and wrote this thread a short time later, not out of frustration, but as part of your goal to learn the game, is pretty awesome to me. Most people, especially adults in that situation just pack it up and never lace up another pair of skates again.

I don't think there is too much extra to add here, but I'd say that if you have the money, investing in a slide board will help you learn to better your stride and get that deep knee bend you need to push off in your stride. www.howtohockey.com is a also a pretty good resource for adult new comers to the game, but the guy can be somewhat vague at times if you don't already know what he's talking about.

Keep skating man, breaking your face will be an awesome story to tell in a couple of years when your in a rec league and skating around like a champ.

[Law Goalie 147]

That's it -- stay in character.

And thus Tom is introduced to one of the great equivocal pleasures in hockey: The Chirp!

[deej 19]

Good luck and keep at it.

Mrs deej is starting tonight. She's on with our ladies team with a few beginners. She's both nervous and excited.