There’s nothing more thrilling than a hard-fought game of hockey, and a lot of that has to do with the speed and skill of the players as they move up and down the ice. Hockey players are among the best skaters in the world, gliding on their blades like they were born wearing them. But the truth is that even the fastest and most graceful skaters had to start somewhere, and there were a lot of bruises and scrapes before they gained their prowess on the rink. Becoming an expert skater takes a lot of hard work and determination, along with the right skills training.
For beginning hockey players, learning the basics of skating should come first. No matter how good you might be at puck handling, passing or shooting off the ice, you’ll never get a chance to show off your skills if you’re unsteady on your skates. That means taking the time to learn how to stand properly, how to take your first strides and just figuring out how to move on the ice so it becomes second-nature to you. With enough patience and practice in the right basic hockey skating drills, novice players can go from shaky to smooth when it comes to their skating abilities.
Mastering Balance and Posture
Before you could walk, you had to learn how to hold yourself upright and steady on two legs. The same is true of learning to skate, which is why hockey players need to begin their skate training with learning how to keep their balance when just standing still on the ice. Without proper balance and posture, players are much more likely to go crashing into the boards or flopping onto their backs when they should be keeping their focus on the puck.
Proper form involves keeping your knees bent, your chest up and out, and your head slightly forward. Your skates should be shoulder-width apart and your weight should be balanced on the balls of your feet. This ensures your weight will be evenly distributed and your center of gravity will be kept low to prevent you from toppling. Many beginners make the mistake of bending at the waist, which puts too much weight in front and puts them at risk of pitching forward. As a player works to master his or her posture, skating drills should focus on balance, such as gliding on one foot or practicing controlled turns.
Best Hockey Drills for Beginners
The best way for beginner hockey players to build their skills is to practice some basic hockey skating drills until they feel comfortable. Here are a few of the most important beginner skating drills for any player just starting out on the ice:
- Basic Strides: The most basic type of drill focuses on learning how to stride forward. From the proper hockey stance described earlier, players push off with one leg, gliding forward on the other. Before they lose momentum, they bring the leg they pushed off with forward into the gliding position and use the other leg to push again. This process is repeated to achieve a smooth, effective stride when skating in a straight line.
- C-Cuts: A c-cut is essential for transitioning from a straightforward stride into a tight turn or pivot. When moving forward, the player uses one leg to trace a “C” shape, turning the toe and knee out, then inward again. The other leg glides in the opposite direction, with the player shifting weight from the gliding leg to the skating leg and then back again.
- Stopping: Stopping quickly involves players turning their bodies to the direction they want to stop on, then using the inside edge of the skate blade to cut into the ice. The edge of the skate is also used to slow the players’ momentum and bring them to a complete stop.
- Turning: When initiating a basic turn, players should start by using the outside edge of the skate to push off and start the turn. Turning their heads in the direction they want to turn, the players should maintain a low stance and use the inside edge of the skate to glide around until they achieve the direction they want. Finally, they should turn their body.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Some of the biggest mistakes rookie players make as they learn to skate include:
- Standing Too Straight: Maintaining a perfectly upright position means a player’s center of gravity will be too high, making it much harder to maintain balance.
- Keeping Legs Stiff: When players lock their knees, they lose the ability to shift their weight quickly and they often bend at the waist to compensate for the loss of flexibility.
- Looking Down: Players who keep their heads down while skating ruin the posture they need and lose sight of where they’re going.
These and many other problems with skating can be solved by an early focus on proper skating form and posture. Learning good habits as soon as possible is key to sustained success as the player develops.
Safety Tips for Beginners
Bumps and bruises are inevitable, but it’s important for players to follow proper safety as they learn to skate. For example, warming up before hitting the ice can prevent sprains and other injuries. Players should always be mindful of those around them and do whatever they can to avoid running into each other. Learning a proper falling technique also helps avoid injury. Players should try to fall forward if they feel themselves losing their balance, bending their knees and using their hands to break their fall. Finally, wearing good-fitting pads and helmets is critical for keeping beginners safe while skating.
Advancing Beyond the Basics
There’s no set amount of time it takes for all players to master the basics of skating, as some things come more naturally to some than others. Once a player does feel fully comfortable with the fundamentals of skating, however, it’s time for them to level up into developing more-advanced skills like skating backwards, crossovers, puck handling and shooting. This is also when coaches can start introducing team concepts like positioning and communication on the ice.
The Path to Becoming a Confident Skater
Mastering hockey drills for beginning skaters is the first step toward becoming a seasoned hockey player. Even though it may seem daunting at first, with practice and patience just about anyone can become a strong enough skater to make a difference on the ice. Whether you’re just starting out or you have a pee-wee player ready to take up the sport, ProStockHockey.com has all the equipment and accessories you need. From practice jerseys to the perfect stick, we have a huge selection of equipment sourced directly from pro locker rooms. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you find success.
