Looking for some help.

[aftcomet 0]

Warning: I apologize for the long post but I'm trying to give as my information as I can to explain my situation.

About a month ago I started playing hockey for the first time. I'm 20 years old. I've attended fun skates when I was 10 years old or so but it was nothing serious. I remember being able to skate okay and I could hockey stop and do crossovers as well. My skating was acceptable as far as I can remember but it was very, very basic. I don't even remember being able to skate backwards. So basically I haven't been on the ice in over 10 years. So my friends got me to sign up for a beer league. Needless to say, I really regret not starting much, much sooner. Everyone always says it too late to start, but it's never too late if you're playing for fun. Not like I want to turn pro or something.

Anyway, prior to starting beer league I've been at a few fun skate sessions, about four. I about five games into the season right now and needless to say I've developed a new found respect as to how hard it is. Being able to barely skate and stepping on the ice with guys who look like pros took some courage. But in general everyone has been very nice and encouraging which helped a lot. I really like the respect that exists in hockey.

I've played street hockey a bunch of times, I've got a pretty good shot, control -- I generally have no issues. But it doesn't translate well to ice. Ice is much, much harder. My main problem is skating, which happens to be, 95% of hockey. So I'm looking to improve that. But I've made a huge mistake. When I bought my skates, I bought the sale and not the fit. Terrible, terrible mistake but you live and learn. Seeing $500 off on Easton EQ5's was more than enough for me to pull out my wallet and buy them immediately. They seemed fairly comfortable in the store. I know what you're thinking and I agree. I was stupid, my fault completely.

So I've been on the ice for a while now, my skating isn't awful but it's nothing to write home about. It's really hard to try to keep up with everyone, and I mean try. Out of the 5 games I've played, I've touched the puck maybe 4. Everyone is so damn good. I'm working hard though.

Right now I'm trying to figure out if the main problem is my skates or me. I understand that even if I put on the best skates in the world it's not going to make me Bobby Orr but the thing is that there's some stuff I just can't do in them. For example, I'm only able to snow plow with my left leg. Trying with my right leg is difficult. It's really hard getting that right skate to slide, which is wierd because my right leg is my dominant one. Finding my outside edges is also difficult. My feet/ankles bend inwards as well as I have feet that over-pronate. (When relaxed, my feet have arches but they collapse when pressure is put on them). My ankles are wobbly too. Maybe because of the over-pronation? I have fairly strong feet from playing a bunch soccer but weak ankles as I've sprained them too many times to count. I am also fairly out of shape right now. Not overweight or anything (5'10, 155 pounds), just that the endurance isn't there. So I don't know.

I've heard your toes are supposed to brush the end cap. Mine are a little away from just brushing it. But in general there's pressure in quite a few places and it really strains my feet. I think the blood flow is being cut off. After about 15 minutes in just sitting in them I'll have to take them off because I can't feel my feet. If I don't make them blood boiling tight I'll barely be able to skate in them at all.

Right now I think the best thing for my to do is for me to go to my LHS and get someone to evaluate my situation. They'll be able to see if the skates don't fit me properly and if I should get new ones. But here's the thing. I'm willing to compensate them for their time. I don't want someone spending an hour with me for nothing. But I also understand these guys work on commission, I don't want to be made to buy something if I don't need it. Just saying.

Thoughts? Maybe someone experienced could provide me some insight. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance guys.

[Axxion89 32]

Of all the LHS I have been to, I've never been to one where they get paid on commission. Going to the LHS will help you determine the fit of your current skates and see what is going on skating wise. They will not be able to tell you much about your arches or if you pronate, for that you should see a podiatrist and then relay their evaluation to the employees at the store. Also make sure you go to a competent store as you want to avoid getting bad/incorrect information so do some research as to a good store.

As for some of your skating problems, I had them starting out as well (started playing at 19). Practice and even lessons will help you find your outside edge and stop on both feet. The skates could be the problem but its hard for me to tell without seeing you skate. Also, learning to skate in a mens league may be difficult. What level is the league (A B C Beginner?). Even though it may be great to get to play in the game and learn the game, it may not help your skating if you play with people 20X the skill you have. If you can find some stick time, open skating, or a casual pick-up it can go a long way in allowing you to focus on your skating and improve at a better pace.

Overall, I'd say go to the store first and see what they say about your skates and how they fit (it sounds like yours do not fit if you need to crank them tight as hell to skate in them) and go from there. I would also recommend some skating outside of the league if you want to gain improvement.

[danno25nh 3]

Welcome to the game!

It sounds as if you have more than one issue so there will be no magic bullet.

I bought a pair of EQ5s and have 20 or so games on them. Fit can be adjusted a little by baking and punching but if they don't fit you'll have problems.

That being said; this is a very stiff skate, weak ankles should not be contributing to your ankles bending in. The skate if fitted and tied correctly simply won't allow this.

Learning edge control takes time. A few lessons or clinics can help a lot. Nothing substitutes ice time and repetition. With repetition you'll stop thinking about skating and start thinking about playing. You'll probably notice your skating will improve when that happens.

Get your skates fitted and don't worry about what looks good or what others use, get something that fits well. After that get on the ice, practice what doesn't come easy and maybe get a lesson or two. If you stick with it it'll come.

[aftcomet 0]

Of all the LHS I have been to, I've never been to one where they get paid on commission. Going to the LHS will help you determine the fit of your current skates and see what is going on skating wise. They will not be able to tell you much about your arches or if you pronate, for that you should see a podiatrist and then relay their evaluation to the employees at the store. Also make sure you go to a competent store as you want to avoid getting bad/incorrect information so do some research as to a good store.

As for some of your skating problems, I had them starting out as well (started playing at 19). Practice and even lessons will help you find your outside edge and stop on both feet. The skates could be the problem but its hard for me to tell without seeing you skate. Also, learning to skate in a mens league may be difficult. What level is the league (A B C Beginner?). Even though it may be great to get to play in the game and learn the game, it may not help your skating if you play with people 20X the skill you have. If you can find some stick time, open skating, or a casual pick-up it can go a long way in allowing you to focus on your skating and improve at a better pace.

Overall, I'd say go to the store first and see what they say about your skates and how they fit (it sounds like yours do not fit if you need to crank them tight as hell to skate in them) and go from there. I would also recommend some skating outside of the league if you want to gain improvement.

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to be signing up for Power Skating lessons very soon. I'm going to go to a walk in clinic so I can get a reference to a podiatrist to see what he has to say. What could the guys at my LHS do to adjust them for over-pronation?

Maybe it's a bad sharpening job? When I try hockey stopping from the left, my hockey skate will buckle, not stay on my inside edge, it'll switch to my outside edge and I'll stop abruptly and fall face first. Maybe I'm not bending my knees enough? But even when I'm going slow this happens. I see people stop like that all the time while standing straight when they're heading to the bench? Doesn't work for me.

Welcome to the game!

It sounds as if you have more than one issue so there will be no magic bullet.

I bought a pair of EQ5s and have 20 or so games on them. Fit can be adjusted a little by baking and punching but if they don't fit you'll have problems.

That being said; this is a very stiff skate, weak ankles should not be contributing to your ankles bending in. The skate if fitted and tied correctly simply won't allow this.

Learning edge control takes time. A few lessons or clinics can help a lot. Nothing substitutes ice time and repetition. With repetition you'll stop thinking about skating and start thinking about playing. You'll probably notice your skating will improve when that happens.

Get your skates fitted and don't worry about what looks good or what others use, get something that fits well. After that get on the ice, practice what doesn't come easy and maybe get a lesson or two. If you stick with it it'll come.

Thanks for this as well. I've noticed that too. It's almost tough to tie it completely. Waxed laces definitely help. I feel the area around my ankle isn't stiff enough though, as if there is a little more room than need be.

EDIT: Also, what about that my toes don't touch the end cap? There're a little away, not too much.

[Zorlac 22]

Touching the toe cap is something that you look for during initial sizing in the store. A light touch is where you should be, not crammed in, but a brush. This SHOULD diminish as your skates break in. For example, when i FIRST lace up my skates, I can barely feel the toe cap, by the tme I've kicked my ankle in and seated the skates, and laced them up, It hardly touches at all.

After many years I started playing hockey again, adn it certainly sounds like it's not your skates, but the TIME you have in them. In other words, go public skating and skate, skate, skate! Practice your stops, crossovers, and control. Keep your head up ALL THE TIME, and you'll see improvement soon!

Good luck fellow hockey brother!

[aftcomet 0]

Touching the toe cap is something that you look for during initial sizing in the store. A light touch is where you should be, not crammed in, but a brush. This SHOULD diminish as your skates break in. For example, when i FIRST lace up my skates, I can barely feel the toe cap, by the tme I've kicked my ankle in and seated the skates, and laced them up, It hardly touches at all.

After many years I started playing hockey again, adn it certainly sounds like it's not your skates, but the TIME you have in them. In other words, go public skating and skate, skate, skate! Practice your stops, crossovers, and control. Keep your head up ALL THE TIME, and you'll see improvement soon!

Good luck fellow hockey brother!

Thanks guys. I'm going to work hard and try my best to improve. So what I'm going to do these weeks is attend as many free skates as I can. Question though, is it weird to wear your equipment (full or at least most of it). When I have it on it's a different mentality. Like I went to a few fun skates without it and when I fall (pretty badly from trying to stop) I usually bust up my elbows and my hip. But when I fall during beer league I don't feel anything because I'm well protected. It also boosts my confidence because I feel safer and enter corners and whatnot with a different mindset.

[Axxion89 32]

You can whatever you like to open skate as far as I know just don't bring a stick. As for pronation if your foot pronates only a podiatrist can help you through custom orthotics.

[jds 20]

I started playing hockey at the age of 43. Had to learn how to skate in the process. You have a lot of guts to start in beer league at this point. Good for you. Don't get discouraged. EVERYONE was a weak skater at some point, it's just that you happen to be at that point while most others on the ice aren't. I have become an okay skater now (and I'm an old fart) by working on skating and more skating. I went to free skate three or four time a week at first. I skated as much as I could. Then I found some shinny session where no one showed up most days so I was free to work on my skating and shooting by myself while in full equipment. I also did a few adult power skating lessons. The biggest thing in all of this was not giving a shit about how silly/brutal I looked. That comes with my age-I'm too old to worry about looking cool but I was committed to learning and figured the snickers and sideways glances were worth it. I was not about to let some cocky all-star ruin my progress by laughing at me. Playing with better guys always makes you better. Ask them for guidance. You will get some useful pointers and, as an added bonus, it lets everyone know the deal with your abilities and the fact that you are trying to get better. Once guys realize that you are out there with a bunch of more skilled players they realize that you are dedicated to improve and that is where the hockey kinship kicks in and guys will offer you all sorts of advice and maybe even pass you the puck and ease up on you. The one thing I found in my journey was that 99% of the guys I encountered were willing to let me take part and willing to help me and understand my lack of skill. The 1% of the dicks who gave me a hard time are still dominating open shinny, skating circles around the weaker players and building up their fragile sense of self importance. Keep plugging away. It is hard but it sure is fun. You are lucky to have started at 20-you are 23 years ahead of me. Haters gonna hate-do I sound younger now? ;). Don't sweat it and enjoy the game. I'll let the skate experts weigh in on your equipment concerns but get skates that fit better

[aftcomet 0]

You can whatever you like to open skate as far as I know just don't bring a stick. As for pronation if your foot pronates only a podiatrist can help you through custom orthotics.

I actually have custom orthotics. I've tried placing them in the skates but it's not good and doesn't fit well at all.

I started playing hockey at the age of 43. Had to learn how to skate in the process. You have a lot of guts to start in beer league at this point. Good for you. Don't get discouraged. EVERYONE was a weak skater at some point, it's just that you happen to be at that point while most others on the ice aren't. I have become an okay skater now (and I'm an old fart) by working on skating and more skating. I went to free skate three or four time a week at first. I skated as much as I could. Then I found some shinny session where no one showed up most days so I was free to work on my skating and shooting by myself while in full equipment. I also did a few adult power skating lessons. The biggest thing in all of this was not giving a shit about how silly/brutal I looked. That comes with my age-I'm too old to worry about looking cool but I was committed to learning and figured the snickers and sideways glances were worth it. I was not about to let some cocky all-star ruin my progress by laughing at me. Playing with better guys always makes you better. Ask them for guidance. You will get some useful pointers and, as an added bonus, it lets everyone know the deal with your abilities and the fact that you are trying to get better. Once guys realize that you are out there with a bunch of more skilled players they realize that you are dedicated to improve and that is where the hockey kinship kicks in and guys will offer you all sorts of advice and maybe even pass you the puck and ease up on you. The one thing I found in my journey was that 99% of the guys I encountered were willing to let me take part and willing to help me and understand my lack of skill. The 1% of the dicks who gave me a hard time are still dominating open shinny, skating circles around the weaker players and building up their fragile sense of self importance. Keep plugging away. It is hard but it sure is fun. You are lucky to have started at 20-you are 23 years ahead of me. Haters gonna hate-do I sound younger now? ;). Don't sweat it and enjoy the game. I'll let the skate experts weigh in on your equipment concerns but get skates that fit better

Thanks for the reply. I've been really lucky because I have 3 of my personal friends on the team so that helps greatly. But in general the guys on our team have been very nice. They all try to help out and give me pointers on what to do and where to go.

Right now I'm just keeping things very, very simple. Try to get the puck, dump it in to get it deep, try to clear it from our zone, get in the passing lanes, block shots, anything I can do. So far I have an assist and almost scored two goals. Fanned on an open net and hit the post the other time.

I also figure that if if I'm not much help on the ice, I should try to bring other intangibles. I try to spread my enthusiasm and make the experience more pleasent for everyone else. I try to encourage everyone as well as lighten the mood when we're getting killed and stuff like that. But I think I'm very fortunate that I haven't come across a rat yet. Everyone, including the other team has been really nice. I've even gotten encouragement from the opposition when I fell like a goof in front of their bench.

Nothing better than camraderie in hockey.

[rightfield 0]

Hey

I started out exactly the same way as ya. Don't be discouraged about your skates. Stick with them. I started out and dropped some cash over my One95 skates. I was measured a size 8 but I wasn't too sure how much your toes should brush the toe cap so I dropped to a 7.5. In retrospect, I think I should of stuck with size 8 because one foot is slightly bigger than the other. My One95's were stiff as hell and my feet was killing after playing a game: blisters, ankle cuts and rub, poor blood circulation etc etc, you name it I had it trying to break in those damn skates. After 2-3 years of playing I finally become comfortable with them. I was seriously considering cutting my losses and buying a pair of Grafs but I'm finally reaping the rewards. They've broken in nicely and power skating lessons will definitely help with the muscle memory and training (90% of hockey is skating). Once you develop the muscle memory and feel comfortable in your skates, you'll gain confidence and can ease up on the lacing and tightening.

If you can't wait 2-3 years for your skates, trying baking your skates again and really break them in. Any LHS should be able to take care of your pressure spots and punch the skate out at your pressure points. Good luck!

[Zorlac 22]

Having a foot larger than the other does present a problem, as my right foot is SLIGHTLY larger. Certainly size the toe cap touch to the largest foot....

[aftcomet 0]

Hey

I started out exactly the same way as ya. Don't be discouraged about your skates. Stick with them. I started out and dropped some cash over my One95 skates. I was measured a size 8 but I wasn't too sure how much your toes should brush the toe cap so I dropped to a 7.5. In retrospect, I think I should of stuck with size 8 because one foot is slightly bigger than the other. My One95's were stiff as hell and my feet was killing after playing a game: blisters, ankle cuts and rub, poor blood circulation etc etc, you name it I had it trying to break in those damn skates. After 2-3 years of playing I finally become comfortable with them. I was seriously considering cutting my losses and buying a pair of Grafs but I'm finally reaping the rewards. They've broken in nicely and power skating lessons will definitely help with the muscle memory and training (90% of hockey is skating). Once you develop the muscle memory and feel comfortable in your skates, you'll gain confidence and can ease up on the lacing and tightening.

If you can't wait 2-3 years for your skates, trying baking your skates again and really break them in. Any LHS should be able to take care of your pressure spots and punch the skate out at your pressure points. Good luck!

Thinking about it, going a size down would not have been good for me because my left foot is a tad bigger and probably wouldn't have fit.

Thanks, I'm going to stick with them. I've also never baked them before. Is it worth it?

[rightfield 0]

Yes baking your skates will help the skate to mold to your feet and accomodate any irregularities in your feet. Get them baked at a LHS and wear very thin socks. After they take the skates out of the oven, tie the skates on super tight and take a seat for 5 to 10 mins. Try leaning with a slight fwd tilt on the ball of your foot. Youre trying to imitate a fwd skating motion in this position.

[aftcomet 0]

Yes baking your skates will help the skate to mold to your feet and accomodate any irregularities in your feet. Get them baked at a LHS and wear very thin socks. After they take the skates out of the oven, tie the skates on super tight and take a seat for 5 to 10 mins. Try leaning with a slight fwd tilt on the ball of your foot. Youre trying to imitate a fwd skating motion in this position.

I'm going to try this, just a few questions regarding the process. Is there a chance of it messing up my skates? Also, when I tie them after baking, should I tie everything really tight as opposed to the way I would tie it normally? I usually leave the middle part of the skate a little looser to prevent the blood flow from cutting off in the middle. Lastly, how much does this usually cost? Thanks in advance.

I also have an update. Today at home I've tried tying my skates differently. I've put all my strength and focus into making the ankle part as tight as possible (the EQ5s are very, very stiff). now I don't have to have the very top, or middle (where there are a lot of veins), as tight. I've also used equipment tape to get the ankle area even tighter, and I've placed my shin guard over my tongues as opposed to under. The result is a much better fit that felt a lot more stable. I going to give it a run with this and see how it goes.

Also, I know this might sound really, really stupid, but before all this what I did was place the skates flat and step on the ankle area to make it a little softer because it was really stiff to tie all the way. I didn't somehow ruin my skates by doing this did I?

[rightfield 0]

I'm going to try this, just a few questions regarding the process. Is there a chance of it messing up my skates? Also, when I tie them after baking, should I tie everything really tight as opposed to the way I would tie it normally? I usually leave the middle part of the skate a little looser to prevent the blood flow from cutting off in the middle. Lastly, how much does this usually cost? Thanks in advance.

I also have an update. Today at home I've tried tying my skates differently. I've put all my strength and focus into making the ankle part as tight as possible (the EQ5s are very, very stiff). now I don't have to have the very top, or middle (where there are a lot of veins), as tight. I've also used equipment tape to get the ankle area even tighter, and I've placed my shin guard over my tongues as opposed to under. The result is a much better fit that felt a lot more stable. I going to give it a run with this and see how it goes.

Also, I know this might sound really, really stupid, but before all this what I did was place the skates flat and step on the ankle area to make it a little softer because it was really stiff to tie all the way. I didn't somehow ruin my skates by doing this did I?

Just get them baked. It sounds like you're doing too much to your skates. Tie them tighter than you normally would all around your foot after they take them out of the oven and make sure you get them baked by a retail store with the proper equipement. I don't think theres any chance of ruining your skates. I think the skates you have should of have been molded to your feet before they sold it and sharpened it. Double check with your LHS.

The whole baking and fitting process should run you $40 to $50. Make sure you voice any comfort issues to them.

In the end, you'll be trying alot of different tying and lacing techniques (ties toes tight but ankles loose, vice versa, etc etc), if you play long enough you'll find what works for you and your balance will improve over time so you can get rid of ankle tape.

Good luck

[olsona 0]

at hockey stores around me it shouldn't cost more than $25 to bake your skates if you go to the shop you bought it from i should be free. as far as how tight you should tie it when baking it to your foot tie it as you normally would if you tie it to tight you can pull your eyelets out.