Learning To Skate might seem like it has limited opportunities, since you need ice.  But starting in the driveway with inline skates or even at the local pond in the winter months are feasible options.

In addition to those, FHIC recommends getting on the ice, at the many opportunities available at any of the local rinks.  Body Zone, for example, has Public Skating (& skate rentals), as well as Learn to Skate clinics and Learn to Play Hockey clinics to help learn the sport of ice hockey.

FIHC recommends starting out by going to public skating (skate rentals are available), or by participating in any type of starter program to prepare new skaters to take the ice. Local Learn To Skate clinics are designed to teach the fundamentals of skating.  The Learn to Play Hockey programs will help teach the basics of the game of hockey.

Every session of Learn To Skate will have different needs; access to ice, age variations and number of skaters. It’s important for these players to become comfortable on the ice.  New skaters WILL fall, which is all part of the learning process, because they have to learn how to get back up.  Since the ice is a hard surface, if you can get access to shin guards, it will certainly ease the blow.

Important information: Learn To Skate clinics. Helmets (bicycle, ski or ice hockey) are required for skaters. Loose fitting, warm clothes (snow pants) and gloves are recommended.

Learn to Play Hockey Clinics will require players to have a majority of hockey equipment (most importantly), skates, stick, helmet, etc.

Skates: The skates are the most important piece of gear. Make sure the skates fit right. The wrong fit will cause players frustration if too big and pain if too small.

To Properly Fit Skates:

1. Remove the insole from the skate and have the player stand on it. Make sure the heel is properly aligned with the heel of the insole. The big toe should almost reach the front edge of the insole. There should not be more than a 1/4 inch of insole showing.

OR

2. Loosen the laces of the skate and insert foot pushing toes up against the toe bed. No more than one finger should fit between the player’s heel and the heel of the skate.

For those looking to start hockey with no prior experience, a great place to start is with the Reading Royals Youth Hockey program.  It features three programs: 

1. Learn to Play (Ages 4-14)
2. Youth League (Ages 4-14)
3. Skill Clinics

Learn to Play Hockey addresses players who first need skating skills and then a program focused on instruction and training that helps them learn the game and grow their skills.

Once skating skills are established, their approach is based on USA Hockey’s American Development Model of practicing and playing ice hockey across the ice surface (Cross Ice) as well as the opportunity to expand your game on an intermediate sized rink (Half Ice) and to ultimately polish it on the full sheet (Full Ice). The benefit of this approach is that it better groups players together by age and ability so they can develop skills and a love for the game so they can excel.

Click Here --> Reading Royals Youth Hockey <-- to visit their website for more information.