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Skating

If there is one skill that separates great hockey players from good hockey players it's skating. For most players, however, skating is the most difficult hockey skill to master.

Skating should come naturally when you're playing - you shouldn't need to think about it when you are on the ice.

It's a great idea to take advantage of public skating sessions at Planet Ice in Peterborough to practice your skating.

This page will deal with the key elements of skating for hockey players:

Basic Skating
Crossover Turns
Hockey Stopping
Backwards Skating

Basic Skating

Ready, Set...

As with any strong house or building, you need a good foundation. This applies to skating as well.

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with your toes facing out, creating a V-shape with your skates.
Your knees should be slightly bent so that they line up with the tips of your toes.
Keep you weight on the balls of your feet.
And always keep your head up.

...Go!

There are three phases of skating: the stride , the glide and the recovery.

The Stride

Dig either skate blade into the ice and push out hard to the side.
The back leg or what is known as the "push leg" should extend through the push -- from the ankle to the tip of the skate blade.

The Glide

As the back leg or the "push leg" extends out, the front leg or the "glide leg" should, as the name suggests, glide along the ice.
Once the leg is fully extended, your weight should be shifted from the back leg to the front leg in preparation for the next stride.

The Recovery

The back leg should be brought back to its original position - along side the glide leg.
Now you are ready to take your next stride with the other leg.

To quickly generate speed, the first four to five strides should be fast, choppy motions. Once you feel you have reached a comfortable speed, you can begin to lengthen you strides. This will require less energy while maintaining your speed.

Crossover Turns

It is very important that you feel comfortable with basic skating before moving on to try crossover turns, hockey stops or backwards skating.

As a hockey player, there are so many other things you will need to focus on throughout a game that you will not have time to think about skating.But don't worry if you are having a difficult time mastering this or any skill discussed because no one, not even Wayne Gretzky, were great skaters their first time on the ice. And always remember that hockey is a sport and should be fun.

You may have found when praticing the basic skating that because of the rounded shape of a hockey rink, eventually you will have to turn.
The simpliest way of moving to the right or left is by the "glide turn." That is done by shifting your body weight to one side or the other to change directions, this is not an efficient way of turning.
The fast paced game of hockey requires players to be able maintain their speed while chasing the puck up and down the ice. The only sure way of doing this is by using the "crossover turn." This maneuver allows the skater to keep his or her legs moving while turning in different directions.

The crossover turn is a two-step process. First, you need to push off using the inside edge of the outside skate and "cross" the leg in front of the inside leg. Next, push under with the outside edge of the inside leg or the back leg.

Push your inside hip into the turn, keeping your inside shoulder up.

The outside leg, once the last stride is completed, should be swung in front and parallel with the inside leg.
The stride should be strong and come from the side not the back.
Next, the inside leg should follow the same path of the outer leg. But the push to side will come from under the body.
Finally, bring the inside leg back under the body to its original position along side the other leg.
This process should be repeated until the turn is completed.

Before practing the crossover maneuver on the ice, you may want to consider performing the turn at home without skates. This will help you build confidence and get the pushing feeling from both the inside and outside edges.

Hockey Stopping

There are a handful of hockey stopping techniques. Some skating instructors teach first-time skaters the "snow plow" (see fig. 1 ) or the "one foot drag" (see fig. 2 ) stop. Both these techniques will certainly slow a player's forward progress but the most effective way to stop in the up and down game of hockey is by using the "two-foot hockey stop" (see fig. 3 ).

Fig. 1
Snowplow Stop -
Apply downward
pressure with toes.
Fig. 2
Drag Stop -
Drag skate blade
across surface
of the ice.
Fig. 3
Hockey Stop -
Preferred stopping
technique in hockey.

Before going over the techniques of the "two-foot hockey stop," a couple important points about skating.

First, never be afraid of falling. Every skater falls at one time or another - even guys in the NHL. Falling is a part of the learning process. Second, keep your skate blades sharp. Sharp blades prevents us from falling and allows us to skate more powerfully and stop more sharply.

First determine in which direction you would like to stop. It's recommended you stop facing the play so you can quickly return to the action.

For this example stopping is to the left.

Slightly lift the left skate blade off the ice while your weight is shifted to the right skate.
Pivot your left skate to a 90-degree angle from the direction traveling.
Apply pressure to the inside blade of the left skate using your thigh muscles.
Next, the hips should follow the pivot of the left leg (see Fig. 4 ).
Following the left leg plant, the right skate blade should be slightly lifted and place parallel with the left skate.
Apply pressure to the outside blade of the right skate.
The right skate does little to help you stop, it simply provides balance.
If done properly, a cloud of ice should spray in the direction of the stop. In this instance to the left (see Fig. 5 ).

Fig. 4
Pivot left skate
blade and hip
into the turn.

Fig. 5
Apply downward pressure
to the skate blades
using leg muscles.

Backward Skating

Some players believe that backward skating is a skill only defensemen need to know. That is not true. Every player on the ice should know and practice every hockey technique no matter their position.

During a game you may run into a situation where one of your defensemen falls down during a play. Knowing how to skate backwards enables you to cover for him or her. Also, knowing how to skate backwards will make you a valuable asset to your team when defending power plays.

Every hockey player should strive to become as well-rounded as they possibly can. As is the case with the forward stride, the key to generating power and speed in skating backwards comes from the legs.

When making your strides, concentrate on making strong thrusts with your legs, fully extending the push leg through the stride.

Turning Around

It's a good idea for beginner skaters to perform the following drill close to the boards so you can grab hold if you begin to lose your balance. Also, you may want to start out from a stationary position rather than while in motion. If that is the case, skip the "Turning Around" section and go right to the description on the "Backwards Stride."

Stay in the basic hockey stance described in basic skating-- moving forward.
Shift your weight to the front half of your outside skate.
Your inside skate will act as your pivot.
Slightly lift your inside skate as you swing the hip of your outside leg and make a C-shaped arch with your skate.
The momentum of the hip swinging coupled with the arch motion of the skate will propel you backwards.

Backwards Stride

The hard part is over. The next step is learning how move down the ice from a backward position.

The C-shaped arch that helped you turn around will be used again to maintain or generate speed.
Begin with your feet parallel to one another and shoulder-width apart.
Point the heel of one leg, the "thrust leg," out and the toe in and push off using the inside edge of that skate blade (see Fig. 6 ).
Using the front part of your skate blade make deep, strong "half moon" cuts into the ice (see Fig. 7 ).
The stride should start using the entire front half of the blade and finish, at the point of full extension, with the toe or very tip of the skate blade.
The C-shape arches should be wide, beginning in the front of your body and concluding from behind (see Fig. 8 ).
The knee of the opposite leg should be bent with the weight transferred to this leg (known as the stride leg).
Bring the push leg back parallel with the stride leg by pivoting the heel inward.
Alternate feet as you move down the ice, and that's it.

Fig. 6
Point the heel of the thrust skate out and the toe in.

Fig. 7
Make deep, strong
C-shaped cuts
in the ice.

Fig. 8
Cuts should be
wide, begining in front

Skating

If there is one skill that separates great hockey players from good hockey players it's skating. For most players, however, skating is the most difficult hockey skill to master.

Skating should come naturally when you're playing - you shouldn't need to think about it when you are on the ice.

It's a great idea to take advantage of public skating sessions at Planet Ice in Peterborough to practice your skating.

This page will deal with the key elements of skating for hockey players:

Basic Skating

Crossover Turns

Hockey Stopping

Backwards Skating

Basic Skating

Ready, Set...

As with any strong house or building, you need a good foundation. This applies to skating as well.

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart with your toes facing out, creating a V-shape with your skates.

Your knees should be slightly bent so that they line up with the tips of your toes.

Keep you weight on the balls of your feet.

And always keep your head up.

...Go!

There are three phases of skating: the stride , the glide and the recovery.

The Stride

Dig either skate blade into the ice and push out hard to the side.

The back leg or what is known as the "push leg" should extend through the push -- from the ankle to the tip of the skate blade.

The Glide

As the back leg or the "push leg" extends out, the front leg or the "glide leg" should, as the name suggests, glide along the ice.

Once the leg is fully extended, your weight should be shifted from the back leg to the front leg in preparation for the next stride.

The Recovery

The back leg should be brought back to its original position - along side the glide leg.

Now you are ready to take your next stride with the other leg.

To quickly generate speed, the first four to five strides should be fast, choppy motions. Once you feel you have reached a comfortable speed, you can begin to lengthen you strides. This will require less energy while maintaining your speed.

Crossover Turns

It is very important that you feel comfortable with basic skating before moving on to try crossover turns, hockey stops or backwards skating.

The crossover turn is a two-step process. First, you need to push off using the inside edge of the outside skate and "cross" the leg in front of the inside leg. Next, push under with the outside edge of the inside leg or the back leg.

Push your inside hip into the turn, keeping your inside shoulder up.

The outside leg, once the last stride is completed, should be swung in front and parallel with the inside leg.

The stride should be strong and come from the side not the back.

Next, the inside leg should follow the same path of the outer leg. But the push to side will come from under the body.

Finally, bring the inside leg back under the body to its original position along side the other leg.

This process should be repeated until the turn is completed.

Before practing the crossover maneuver on the ice, you may want to consider performing the turn at home without skates. This will help you build confidence and get the pushing feeling from both the inside and outside edges.

Hockey Stopping

Before going over the techniques of the "two-foot hockey stop," a couple important points about skating.

First, never be afraid of falling. Every skater falls at one time or another - even guys in the NHL. Falling is a part of the learning process. Second, keep your skate blades sharp. Sharp blades prevents us from falling and allows us to skate more powerfully and stop more sharply.

First determine in which direction you would like to stop. It's recommended you stop facing the play so you can quickly return to the action.

For this example stopping is to the left.

Slightly lift the left skate blade off the ice while your weight is shifted to the right skate.

Pivot your left skate to a 90-degree angle from the direction traveling.

Apply pressure to the inside blade of the left skate using your thigh muscles.

Next, the hips should follow the pivot of the left leg (see Fig. 4 ).

Following the left leg plant, the right skate blade should be slightly lifted and place parallel with the left skate.

Apply pressure to the outside blade of the right skate.

The right skate does little to help you stop, it simply provides balance.

If done properly, a cloud of ice should spray in the direction of the stop. In this instance to the left (see Fig. 5 ).

Backward Skating

Some players believe that backward skating is a skill only defensemen need to know. That is not true. Every player on the ice should know and practice every hockey technique no matter their position.

During a game you may run into a situation where one of your defensemen falls down during a play. Knowing how to skate backwards enables you to cover for him or her. Also, knowing how to skate backwards will make you a valuable asset to your team when defending power plays.

Every hockey player should strive to become as well-rounded as they possibly can. As is the case with the forward stride, the key to generating power and speed in skating backwards comes from the legs.

When making your strides, concentrate on making strong thrusts with your legs, fully extending the push leg through the stride.

Turning Around

Stay in the basic hockey stance described in basic skating-- moving forward.

Shift your weight to the front half of your outside skate.

Your inside skate will act as your pivot.

Slightly lift your inside skate as you swing the hip of your outside leg and make a C-shaped arch with your skate.

The momentum of the hip swinging coupled with the arch motion of the skate will propel you backwards.

Backwards Stride

The hard part is over. The next step is learning how move down the ice from a backward position.

The C-shaped arch that helped you turn around will be used again to maintain or generate speed.

Begin with your feet parallel to one another and shoulder-width apart.

Point the heel of one leg, the "thrust leg," out and the toe in and push off using the inside edge of that skate blade (see Fig. 6 ).

Using the front part of your skate blade make deep, strong "half moon" cuts into the ice (see Fig. 7 ).

The stride should start using the entire front half of the blade and finish, at the point of full extension, with the toe or very tip of the skate blade.

The C-shape arches should be wide, beginning in the front of your body and concluding from behind (see Fig. 8 ).

The knee of the opposite leg should be bent with the weight transferred to this leg (known as the stride leg).

Bring the push leg back parallel with the stride leg by pivoting the heel inward.

Alternate feet as you move down the ice, and that's it.

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