HOCKEY STOP
HOCKEY MADE EASY
body, then both feet 90 degrees to the forward direction. Use the inside edge on one skate, outside edge on the other one to come to a complete stop. Parallel stops are the most difficult stops for a by John Shorey, Author-“ Hockey Made Easy” Canada’s Best Hockey Instruction Manual. beginner to accomplish. (www.HockeyMadeEasy.com) Strides The first few starting steps use short Learning to skate is a lot like learning skate sharpening can mean the difference choppy strides then lengthen your stride between a great game or a not so great/ to ride a bicycle. to get a smooth and fluid skating motion It takes a good sense of balance and poor game. after about 4-5 strides. You should react top Edges understanding your center of gravity to stay Each skate blade has 2 edges, an inside speed after 5-6 strides. in an up-right position whether on 2 wheels Backward Skating or on 2 very thin skate blades. But once edge and an outside edge by way of it’s u Stance, feet should be shoulder width you’ve accomplished it, it is never forgotten. shaped cut. apart for better balance and stability. Different edges are used for stops, starts, Practice at home, by standing on one leg Knees always flexed, and they protrude in with your shoes on and your knees flexed, turns, to generate speed, and will help prothen shift your weight to your other leg and vide balance and stability to keep you in a front over your toes. Seat/bum in a semi sitting position. try to keep your balance and standing in a standing up right position. Cut the letter C using the inside edge If you loose an edge, get a nick or burr on semi up right position. Practice this every few seconds for a couple of minutes to get the blade get them sharpened asap or you and push outward and backward to create backward motion in one skate and the other the idea of skating, balance and shifting will fall. skate (glide skate) will move backward. Rockering your weight from one leg to the other withPush through the ball of your foot. Skate blades are not flat but are slightly out falling. Rotate your hips inward in a semi circular Skating is basically shifting your weight rockered or rounded like a rocking chair motion, left then right. Only between 1 and 3 inches of blade is from one leg to the other while taking short Stroke and glide, stroke and glide alteractually in contact with the ice while skator long strides or steps. nating each skate quickly for speed. Push one skate outward and backward ing. Backward Stops More rocker or rounding = less blade on while the other skate glides forward. One foot 45 degree snow-plow stop to It’s this stroke and glide movement that the ice for sharper turns. Many Bantam and backward direction using your inside edge. Midget players might get their skates rockcreates forward or backward motion. 2 skates, place heels inward about 45 Practice and experience will help your ered by their skate sharpening pro. Less rocker = more blade on the ice for degrees for a snowplow stop to backward stops, starts, strides, turns, 180 degree pivots and speed, but should you fall and most faster straight away speed. All Beginners, direction using both inside edges. Use the inside edges to shave the top beginners do, shake it off and get right up Atom/Squirt and Peewee players should layer of ice to come to a complete stop. stick with what the skate manufacturer proand start over again. Lean the body slightly forward and flex You should wear a hockey helmet and vided. both knees to keep your balance. After Skatinggloves for added safety. Backward Angling Remove the snow off the blades with a dry Skating is considered to be the single A defenceman must be able to angle the most important skill to learn and master for cloth to prevent them from rusting. Stance, feet are shoulder width apart to puck carrying forward toward the boards all young and older hockey players.
SKATING TIPS for Young Players
Fit Skates must fit snug/tight but not cramp your toes and you must have good ankle support. They must have stiff ankle support so they don’t bend side to side but they will flex forward. Skate sizes are usually1/2 to 1 to size smaller than your street/running shoe size. Socks, wear only 1 pair of thin100% breathable cotton socks while skating, not 2 or 3 pair. Lacing of the skates-use the criss-cross, X method as this provides even comfort and support. The bottom 3 eyelets are generally loose to allow blood circulation so your toes won’t freeze. The middle 3 eyelets are semi-tight to allow the top part of your foot to move up and down when flexing the foot in the stopping and starting position. The top 3 eyelets are tight to provide good ankle support and prevent bending inside or outside. Don’t wrap the laces around your ankle as this restricts your forward flex motion when striding. Tie your skates with a bow knot at the front of your skates not on the side of your ankle. Sharpening A medium hollow ground u shaped sharpening is all that is required. Not razor sharp or the blades will dig into the ice and you won’t be able to stop or turn easily. Not too dull or you won’t have any grip to dig into the ice and you will slip and fall when starting and stopping. Sharpen about every 10-12 hours of use or as required if you get a nick or burr on the blade edge. Once you find a good skate sharpener stick with him because a good
provide better balance and stability. Knees are always slightly bent and flexed forward, in front of your toes. Never lock your knees or skate straight legged. Bend at the waist and lean slightly forward as if pushing a chair. Stroke 45 degrees to outside and backward with one skate, glide straight ahead forward with the other skate. Push outward with the inside edge of your stroke skate through the ball of your foot. The leg is bent close to 90 degrees at the knee in the starting position and is pushed to its full extension 180 degrees then recoiled to become the glide skate. The glide skate will move forward then it is it’s turn to become the stroke/pushing skate. Rhythm of Skating Stroke and Glide, Stroke and Glide, the faster your foot speed the faster you skate. Alternate each skate and leg quickly at the start then lengthen your stride and glide over the ice. Starts Push outward and backward as close to 90 degrees to the direction you wish to go using the inside edge of your stroke skate. There are various start positions and they include: (1)-Inverted T start, (2) -Power V start, the first 4 steps are critical for power and speed. Knees must be flexed and close to 90 degrees during all starts! Stops To stop, try to shave a thin layer of ice using either 1 or 2 skate blades. 1- Snow plow stop with 1 or 2 feet, turn skate at a 45 degree angle using your inside edges. 2- Inverted T stop, back foot turns 90 degrees to forward direction using it’s outside edge. 3- Parallel stop with 2 feet, turn upper
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while skating backwards. S/he must be able to lift one foot and turn 135 degrees and quickly go from backward skating to forward skating and angle the player into the corner or boards. 180 Degree Pivots Players must be able to go from forward to backward, and backward to forward skating many times during the game, turning 180 degree pivots to change their direction quickly. Crossovers For quick starts and to go left or right quickly, players will have to cross one foot over top of the other. Change of Pace Just like a baseball pitcher, players will have to change speeds and go from medium(coast speed) to fast in a split second to get to open ice for a pass or to beat a defenceman while carrying the puck to the outside. Aerobic Conditioning So you can play a full game without tiring. Jogging, biking, swimming, or skipping rope, non stop for 20 to 30 minutes every 2nd day will improve your aerobic conditioning. Anaerobic Conditioning So you can go all out, for a 1 or 2 minute shift without tiring. Sprinting for 1 minute, then walking for 2 minutes, then sprint again for 1 minute for a duration of 30 – 40 minutes every 2nd day will improve your anaerobic condition. For more Learn to Play Hockey Tips go to www.HockeyMadeEasy.com. Yours in hockey, John Shorey Author- Hockey Made Easy www.HockeyMadeEasy.com
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