Tales from a Beginner Part II

[tomv713 0]

First of all, I would like to thank you all for the tips and the support. As a beginner, it's good to have a resource to refer to. As i said before, I'm writing these threads to help others who are trying to learn hockey. I'm a 23 year old graduate student who is new to the sport, and I wanted to start this thread so others in a similar position wouldn't feel like they were alone.

So back to it.

Last time I wrote a thread, I had just sustained an injury tomy chin. I got 8 stitches because I tried turning to my right, feel, and caught some ice. About 3 days later, I went back on the ice. I was very tentative at first, it took took some time to get my confidence back. I started questioning if it was worth it. Hell, it a lot of work just learning how to skate. Luckily I met a person who played in a Grumpy Old Men league. He offered for me to come out and try to get a puck, and I said why not?

So I run out the next day to get some gear. I ended up with hockey pants, shoulder pads, a jersey, shin pads, elbow pads, socks, mouthpeice, helmet, and a stick for $175. The next day I went to grumpy old men. It took me while to figure out the gear, but i eventually got it. I clumsily skate over to the bench before the game starts (I've never skated with stick in my hand before). The game starts, and I nervously sit on the bench waiting for my shift (I have no idea what I'm doing btw). From when I first step on to the ice, until the game ends, it's a tragedy.

To summarize: I fell 4 times, each was when I got a pass. I couldn't keep up with the other skaters, suddenly my speed was put into some perspective. My ankles pronated becfause I couldn't concentrate on them, it was like skating on day one. Thankfully, all the guys there were cool about it, and gave me a couple beers after the game.

I signed up for a adult hockey clinic after that. I had my first one two weeks ago, and felt a lot more comfortable on the ice. My ankle problem has started to slowly go away, and I can skate much faster now (even faster then some of the more experienced skaters.) I learned how to make a hard pass (thought I still suck at it). The one drill that kills me is hockey stops. I fall every time without fail. Given my pronation problem, it makes it somewhat more difficult to stop, but i'm determined to get it by the end of this 9 week course.

Anyway thats all I got for now. Learning how to play hockey has been the most difficult task for me (and i've played almost every sport). Hopefully this provides you gys with some laughs or support, whichever you need

[Balmer15 0]

Sounds like after just jumping into hockey, your skating and whatnot has come on leaps and bounds! Sounds like the Grumpy Old Men weren't too grumpy with you either!haha, always helps having people to help you and encourage you when you start. Keep it up!

[Doctor Hook 0]

That is f'n amazing that you basically had a trial by fire at an old man's pickup skate. And they schooled you, but you never really skated before. That just goes to show why hockey players are cool as hell. We pass the game along and we are willing to help people learn the sport. Plus, they probably just wanted your rink fee and to feel young again to blow by you, but still.

Stick with it, man. I think those clinics will be the key. You're attitude's right. I bet in a year or so you'll be kicking the crap out of those old guys at their pickup.

[wrangler 157]

Sounds like you lucked out finding a nice group of guys.

[chk hrd 164]

One of the things I've enjoyed most about hockey is helping others learn the game. I've coached alot of kids but one that really sticks out was a guy in his eaarly 20's who sounds alot like you. At the beginning the kid could barely skate but his wanting to learn the game made it easy to teach him and see past his inabilities. The kid always gave everything he had, every shift and his enthusiasm was contageous. If you always try your hardest your team mates will forgive alot. Don't be afraid to ask questions on the bench, that;s how you learn the game from the inside. Watch as much hockey as you can a study what the players are doing so you learn why you need to do somethings and not others.

Here's a tip on learning hockey stops: Think this when you are practicing "Heels to turn, toes to stop". When you are turn your skates hard sideways your weight needs to be on your toes with your knees bent and your body in good position. If you lean back a little an put your weight on your heels you will end up doing a quick spin and end up on your behind.

Good luck with the game

[chippa13 1844]

Skills aside, one thing that will help you to learn the game will be to watch a game in person and pay attention to what players are doing when they don't have the puck.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Skills aside, one thing that will help you to learn the game will be to watch a game in person and pay attention to what players are doing when they don't have the puck.

This this and this! I started hockey back when I was a wee lad in squirts (I'm only 27 now) but then had to quit because my parents didn't have the money to keep me playing. So I really didn't play hockey again for almost....10 years? Sure, I ice skated off and on at the public skates but never any organized hockey. Then played again as a guy from work convinced me to play in his mens league. Wow, what an eye opener. It really showed how little strenght I had in skating and the hockey knowledge I thought I had was minimal.

The cool thing that is similar in your story and mine....is the willingness and drive to learn. The upside for me is that I had already been tought basics by a coach at a young age so it stuck and remained. The similar part is that I had a drive to be as good as the current adult players on the ice and the drive to play with/better then them. It just takes practice, practice, and practice. Definitely watch what others are doing away from the puck and how they position themselves. Watching an NHL game is better since they tend to know what they're doing, but even the highest skilled league in your local rink is good too. A lot of those guys have played some sort of amature/pro hockey at some point. You'll learn much faster this way and you'll see yourself progress as you play.

Just keep at it. It's worth the bumps, bruises, and embarassment. I was almost cut from the 1st adult team I played with because I wasn't very good. Now I've been playing with them for almost 4 years and they miss me when I'm not there. (Yes, I tooted my own horn).

Hockey is just too cool to not participate in.

[pelikano 1]

Skills aside, one thing that will help you to learn the game will be to watch a game in person and pay attention to what players are doing when they don't have the puck.

This is great advice for almost any sport, as beginners tend to watch the ball and not much else. My favorite example is tennis, where everybody's head just swivels back and forth. When you focus on just one player, you learn a lot, fast.

[akravetz 29]

What a great story and it is so similar to mine, except i started to play when I was 41 years old, not a grad student in his 20s. I will say this, getting into a game when you haven't played ever is among the scariest things I have done and I have done a lot of things. What the original guy said is so true, you need people who aren't afraid to help you, not going to yell at you for missing a pass or for passing the puck in front of the goalie when you are learning defense which I now know it not a good move. I have been playing with the same guys for a year or so now and it has helped me learn the game. When I screw up, they are there to help explain. When I actually do something right, it's amazing. And when I scored my first goal, you would have though our team (which was in second to last place) would have won the Cup.

The only advice I have for the original poster (OP, right) is that you need to just get in your skates as much as you can. Even if it is public skate and you are doing laps in a crowd. The more you are on your skates, the better it is. I learned to hockey stop from my then five-year-old son. We had a game (Mario Bros. Hey, he was five). The object was skate up and spray snow on the wall to get the bad guy. He could do it; I couldn't but practice and practice. It's still not a good stop compared to the guys on my team but it is okay. The key is to have fun, I have found.

Thanks for posting. I read this and remembered my first time in skates when I was 40, my first time in a game and all those other things that my son and most of the people here did when they were in their preteens or teens.

Andy in Peoria

[gregandgail 0]

What a great story and it is so similar to mine, except i started to play when I was 41 years old, not a grad student in his 20s. I will say this, getting into a game when you haven't played ever is among the scariest things I have done and I have done a lot of things.

Awesome! I'm just starting to learn how to skate and I'm 43. My 9 yr old son is the one driving me to get better...

[akravetz 29]

That's how I learned. My son, then 4 or 5, needed someone to get on the ice with him during public skate. So I started with figure skates as well, I didn't know how at all. Then a month later, he was scared to get into hockey skates so of course, Dad had go out there and show him how easy it was. I still have some bruises. :) It's funny how life is. I have been a hockey fan since the early 70s when Gary Unger played for the Blues. Yet, never learned to skate. Played street hockey but never on the ice. Now, I am 42 and on the ice four times a week between my league, my son's team and open skate. Now, my daughter, 3, starts her lessons tomorrow.

Funny how life works. Again, thanks for posting all these comments. Really, for an old guy like me who is strugglign with the basics and still trying to figure out if need this curve or that, its' nice to hear others are out there like me.

Andy in Peoria.

[pelikano 1]

... Played street hockey but never on the ice. ....

Thanks for using the proper terminology. Alternatively, "road hockey".

Long ago on first hearing the term "ball hockey" had a wtf moment. Still dislike it somehow.

[wrangler 157]

Funny, I don't remember anything about Garry Unger except his playing for Detroit. I've still got his autograph somewhere. One of my high school classmates knew him somehow and got it for me.

[tmw1582 6]

Skills aside, one thing that will help you to learn the game will be to watch a game in person and pay attention to what players are doing when they don't have the puck.

This is great advice. I was actually telling a guy on my other defensive pair last night that he really needs to watch more hockey and that he should really pay attention to where the dmen are on the ice at all times.

[akravetz 29]

I'll tell my wife that I need to watch more hockey for my son's sake and mine. Please help pay the divorce bill. :) Nah, she's cool. Our first date, btw, was a hockey game.

As for Unger, I was three or four and I just remember when the fans would cheer, it almost sounded like they were booing. My father used to take him to the games and I found a ticket that had us in the lower bowl for $6. Those were the days, and yes, I am old.

Andy in Peoria.