'Slipping' On Skates Is The First Step
The first step is to start ice skating lessons. You will quickly find out how much your child likes being on skates and on the ice. Be prepared for at least six months time well spent if you want to perfect your edges in addition to learning to skate. You can buy new skates, rent skates, or buy used skates.
The "Skate Great Program" is a local introducion to skating offering. A good estimate would be between $72 to $90 for a three session unit. They have a wonderful program at various rinks. Learn to Skate/Beginner Hockey Skating is taught in a 3 session unit because all skating starts out the same. Beginner Hockey is another three sessions unit. There are no pucks and sticks involved. However proper starts, push offs backwards skating and stops are covered. Then choices are made to concentrate on hockey skating skills or figure skating skills along the lines of private or group lessons. Much at this point is correctied practice to control the edges and gain center of balance. In Europe figure skating included as a hockey skill! Every once and a while you see some of this emerge from a pro hockey player during a game. Take a gander at their web site www.skategreatinc.com
Perfecting the Basics
After basic ice skating skill classes are achieved you should progress to some private instruction. It takes hard work and practice under good guidance and correction in order to skate well. Time spent skating before hockey eliminates trying to catch up on this skill while learning hockey. Getting to know how to control the edge of the skates, the quick push to speed, balance and the backwards skate only comes with concentrated practice. Lessons are on the average $35. per each for a private lesson.
Contrary to the assumption of many, it is not all about speed, but all about skating well! Power skating is not a complete nor a substitute answer. Balance and control of your skates should be preliminary to speed drills. Hockey coaches are there to teach hockey skills not skating skills. Your child should come to his/her first coach with one skill achieved and ready to learn another. Even NHL players use organized skating lessons when their own children learn to skate!
Decisions Decisions
As a parent you might want to cultivate hockey, but perhaps your child does not find skating and the hard practice it takes appealing. Just move on. If your child does enjoy skating, there are three choices. Your child will choose to continue to skate just for fun, start beginning to learn to play hockey, or into the realm of figure skating. No matter what the choice the child has learned a new skill. Be sure it's your child who chooses hockey not you, or you will disappointed in the long run. If your child does not choose hockey, or figure skating, comfort yourself knowing you will always be able to afford season hockey tickets!
Spotting the Shortfalls
There are dead give aways out there on the ice that a child has not had enough skating and jumped right into hockey. You can buy all the equipment you want to protect your child, but step one safety on the ice is good skating.
Ever notice a child unable to effectively strip the puck away from the boards? Maybe that player cannot skate backwords!
Ever notice how many beginning hockey players cannot circle the rink without falling? They are not in control of their skates.
Ever notice a child hold back from skating close to another player? Maybe the player is unsure of balance on skates!
Ever see a young goalie knocked over backwards by a light puck to the chest protector? The goalie does not have his skating under control. A lot of flopping for the puck is another indication of weak skating ability.
There Are Remedies
The GOOD NEWS is remedial skating lessons can help! If your child dived right into hockey, supplemental private skating lessons are available. Perhaps you were never told how important the skating aspect is. It's never too late to fix things. After all, many a higher level player has been required to correct his weaker skating execution areas.
If you want to know your child's weakest skating areas, ask the best skater on your team who has taken lessons. They all know each other' s weak and strong points. Going to "Skate and Shoot" together is usually $5 apiece.
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Did You Know?
After a one two push you should be up to full speed.
Many times with good center of balance a hit does not equal a fall.
Skating is one of the biggest skills needed in hockey at the boards.
To be the best you can be in hockey, learn to skate well.
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| Practice makes permanent |
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| Charlotte Checkers |
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| Albany River Rats |
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Examples of creative US and Canadian Team logos
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©2008 Last Update Sept 2008
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