Beginners: How to practice without Ice?

[God King Fudge]

Weird question. I recently took up ice skating about a month or two ago with the intent of getting into a beer league and playing hockey. I have had absolutely zero prior experience in skating/playing hockey.

I'm a very below average skater but I can do enough to get up and down the ice. I came to a pickup game and it was a disaster. I'd never held a stick or worn equipment so while I was able to skate around, I was completely incapable of doing anything near the puck because I have zero experience. Couldn't carry the puck, couldn't make a pass without falling over. It was rough.

I live in the southern US in a state without any hockey presence. There is 1 rink within 100 miles. There's no coaching or classes available for adults, so I keep getting told the only way to practice is to just play in the beer league. While everyone was super kind to me about my inability to play, I personally would not feel comfortable at all using other people's ice time to practice, so that's a non starter for me.

All that to say, is there a way for me to practice without getting on the ice? I was thinking grabbing some rollerblades and a stick/street hockey puck so I can just skate around the driveway and get used to the feeling/muscle memory with a stick in my hands but I know it's obviously not a 1:1 translation so I don't know if it would help or hurt.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

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[Filthy Dangles]

Weird question. I recently took up ice skating about a month or two ago with the intent of getting into a beer league and playing hockey. I have had absolutely zero prior experience in skating/playing hockey.

I'm a very below average skater but I can do enough to get up and down the ice. I came to a pickup game and it was a disaster. I'd never held a stick or worn equipment so while I was able to skate around, I was completely incapable of doing anything near the puck because I have zero experience. Couldn't carry the puck, couldn't make a pass without falling over. It was rough.

I live in the southern US in a state without any hockey presence. There is 1 rink within 100 miles. There's no coaching or classes available for adults, so I keep getting told the only way to practice is to just play in the beer league. While everyone was super kind to me about my inability to play, I personally would not feel comfortable at all using other people's ice time to practice, so that's a non starter for me.

All that to say, is there a way for me to practice without getting on the ice? I was thinking grabbing some rollerblades and a stick/street hockey puck so I can just skate around the driveway and get used to the feeling/muscle memory with a stick in my hands but I know it's obviously not a 1:1 translation so I don't know if it would help or hurt.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Yeah rollerskates could help a little bit in terms of the basics like balance, coodrination and the basic stride mechanics. If you have a roller hockey rink nearby or an open smooth space, just skating while handling the puck can help you some.

But in the end, you need to get out on the ice as much as you can. I know it's hard but there's little subsitute and nothing that can really replicate it. Sounds like you're at the level where an Public Skating session would help assuming your rink has those.

Also, a lot of rinks have 'Sticks and Pucks' or something similar which isn't Open Hockey but more or so just skating and shooting around, you know a practice session.

My advice is don't get discouraged, and push yourself. Get on the ice as much as you can as long as you're enjoying it.

 

[JustJokinenAround]

i started after i graduated high school and consider myself pretty athletic and it was difficult to get to a place where i could play beer league and really enjoy it. the first 2-3 years are really difficult not gonna lie to you. what helped me the most was skating as much as i could whether that be on the ice or roller skating. the shooting, puck handling, and passing will come with time but if you can get on skates as much as possible and improve your skating you're feel way better about yourself. especially in beer league i would focus most on skating, if you can become even an average beer league skater you will get places and because of that gain way more confidence.

don't get discouraged. it took me 2-3 years to really get on the level of people who have played their whole life.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Is there any kind of tiered beer league in your area? That is are there higher or lower levels of rec hockey you can play?

I'm about 3 years in to playing hockey as an adult and yes it can be very rough when you feel like you can't even meaningfully contribute to a game with more skilled players. I've done some pick-up games with exactly that feeling - the only time I would touch the puck is if someone sent me a pity pass. What made me enjoy hockey though was getting on a team of mostly new players and playing against similarly-skilled teams (not that some teams don't bring in ringers).

Beyond that - if you're only 1 month into skating, you need more skating practice. Just being a little bit quicker, and feeling more stable on your skates, will help a lot.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Rollerblades can help a great deal, but can make it difficult to transition back to ice if you go too long without being on the ice.

Ie try not to go a month or two of strictly rollerblading without any ice time, or you will have a hell of a time adjusting back to the feel of your edges.

Try to incorporate off ice training with rollerblades and on ice training during stick time once a week or so.

Ask your rink about stick time sessions.

Stick time is basically where you go on the ice and work on your skills, and no pickup games are allowed.

You just go out there and freestyle and do your thing, and when you get better and more comfortable, ask someone on the ice to pass the puck around with you for a little bit.

It’s your ideal solution if they have times when you can make it.

 

[CutOnDime97]

I haven't tried these myself but they are supposed to simulate skating on ice. Would definitely like to pick up a pair at some point.

Marsblade - Off-Ice

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I haven't tried these myself but they are supposed to simulate skating on ice. Would definitely like to pick up a pair at some point.

Marsblade - Off-Ice

I have Marsblades and they are a good training tool, but you will still run into the same problem of trying to adjust back to ice (if you stay off the ice for too long).

They definitely help with practicing your crossovers, backwards skating and other techniques.

But again, try not to go exclusively with rollerblades for long periods of time or going back to ice can be really tricky.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

Hm. I could expand on this further, but without improving on ice itself, there is not much else you could do.

Now, basic fundamentals like stick handling can be attempted anywhere with space (even the old musty basement in my apartment complex works ).

Do you have a pair of roller blades? I have a YMCA near me with an outdoor futsal court that doubles as a street hockey court. You could work on edges, crossovers, shooting drills, etc.

With shooting it's simple for me. I have a large slab of construction wood that i just throw on the ground and I practice stick handling and shooting against the recycling bins.

Damn, in your situation where the 'closest' rink is so far away, that would be tough for me. @Filthy Dangles has good advice tho

 

[tarheelhockey]

Weird question. I recently took up ice skating about a month or two ago with the intent of getting into a beer league and playing hockey. I have had absolutely zero prior experience in skating/playing hockey.

I'm a very below average skater but I can do enough to get up and down the ice. I came to a pickup game and it was a disaster. I'd never held a stick or worn equipment so while I was able to skate around, I was completely incapable of doing anything near the puck because I have zero experience. Couldn't carry the puck, couldn't make a pass without falling over. It was rough.

I live in the southern US in a state without any hockey presence. There is 1 rink within 100 miles. There's no coaching or classes available for adults, so I keep getting told the only way to practice is to just play in the beer league. While everyone was super kind to me about my inability to play, I personally would not feel comfortable at all using other people's ice time to practice, so that's a non starter for me.

All that to say, is there a way for me to practice without getting on the ice? I was thinking grabbing some rollerblades and a stick/street hockey puck so I can just skate around the driveway and get used to the feeling/muscle memory with a stick in my hands but I know it's obviously not a 1:1 translation so I don't know if it would help or hurt.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Spend as much time on skates as possible, whether that means roller or ice. A minute on skates is better than a minute not on skates, regardless of circumstances.

One you have the skating, the rest will come. Will you be out there sniping top cheese right away... probably not... but 95% of the barrier to being a functional player is in the skating.

So...skate, skate, skate. Drive yourself to do more than just go in circles. Especially work on crossovers, tight turns, backward skating. Practice carrying and shooting pucks while skating. Keep skating. Then skate more.

If you’re forced to do this on rollerblades that’s fine. It’s not that different and plenty of people get trained up for ice hockey that way. What will immediately **** you up when you get back on the ice is stopping, so you’ll still need ice time for that. Once you start to approach your minimum desired skill level, take a little time to go to some public skates and work on stopping.

Tons and tons of people go this route, especially adults. It’s not really that long of a process if you enjoy being on skates. Just set a goal... say an hour of practice 2-3 times a week for 3 months, and serious about doing it. That’ll get you to the minimum level where you can feel OK in a pickup game, and that will be your foot in the door to learn some new skills and join a beer league.

 

[MartinS82]

Weird question. I recently took up ice skating about a month or two ago with the intent of getting into a beer league and playing hockey. I have had absolutely zero prior experience in skating/playing hockey.

I'm a very below average skater but I can do enough to get up and down the ice. I came to a pickup game and it was a disaster. I'd never held a stick or worn equipment so while I was able to skate around, I was completely incapable of doing anything near the puck because I have zero experience. Couldn't carry the puck, couldn't make a pass without falling over. It was rough.

I live in the southern US in a state without any hockey presence. There is 1 rink within 100 miles. There's no coaching or classes available for adults, so I keep getting told the only way to practice is to just play in the beer league. While everyone was super kind to me about my inability to play, I personally would not feel comfortable at all using other people's ice time to practice, so that's a non starter for me.

All that to say, is there a way for me to practice without getting on the ice? I was thinking grabbing some rollerblades and a stick/street hockey puck so I can just skate around the driveway and get used to the feeling/muscle memory with a stick in my hands but I know it's obviously not a 1:1 translation so I don't know if it would help or hurt.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Get on the ice and play in beer league or go to pick up games whenever you can. I promise, if you bring in an ice chest full of beer you will be the MVP. Most leagues/games, especially in non-traditional markets, are just guys and girls looking to get on the ice and compete and have fun. They will understand that you are a beginner and would welcome another player who loves hockey - just remember to take short shifts and ask for advice on the bench.

Off the ice, get a Green Biscuit (or use a golf ball) to work on stickhandling. Watch videos, some great teachers out there that have a ton of content. Take your rollerblades and that green biscuit to a nearby tennis court and have at it. Practice cross overs and get some basic backwards skating drills. Don't worry if you can't crossover backwards, mohawk or any of the other more advance skating techniques, they'll come later.

Last thing, and I can't stress this enough - if you are in good shape it will go a long way to you becoming a good beer leaguer.

 

[ss53mech]

Weird question. I recently took up ice skating about a month or two ago with the intent of getting into a beer league and playing hockey. I have had absolutely zero prior experience in skating/playing hockey.

I'm a very below average skater but I can do enough to get up and down the ice. I came to a pickup game and it was a disaster. I'd never held a stick or worn equipment so while I was able to skate around, I was completely incapable of doing anything near the puck because I have zero experience. Couldn't carry the puck, couldn't make a pass without falling over. It was rough.

I live in the southern US in a state without any hockey presence. There is 1 rink within 100 miles. There's no coaching or classes available for adults, so I keep getting told the only way to practice is to just play in the beer league. While everyone was super kind to me about my inability to play, I personally would not feel comfortable at all using other people's ice time to practice, so that's a non starter for me.

All that to say, is there a way for me to practice without getting on the ice? I was thinking grabbing some rollerblades and a stick/street hockey puck so I can just skate around the driveway and get used to the feeling/muscle memory with a stick in my hands but I know it's obviously not a 1:1 translation so I don't know if it would help or hurt.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

I'm not going to offer advice as much as an attempt at inspiration. The first time I laced up skates in my life I was 32. And my god was I comically bad. You can and will become better. My experience didn't center as much around dedicated practice and objectives it was just trying to make up for lost time. Lots and lots of skating, skating, skating. I have still never been formally coached, I just take advice and try to improve. One of the best compliments I've ever received was from a guy who had been playing his whole life when he asked what college I played at. When I told him I had only been playing for about 5 years, he didn't believe me and asked others if it was true. I felt proud that I was blending in with guys who had been playing their whole lives. I'm still awful offensively, but I don't get scored on (much).

Regarding training/improving, this might sound weird but what I wasn't focusing on was what always seemed to improve. I made it a point to carry a puck during skating drills. So while I was focusing in skating I was subconsciously learning about carrying the puck. While I would work on shooting drills (always incorporating movement) my skating and stance improved. I'm primarily a roller player, and I agree that you have to relearn ice if you spend too much time away, but the movements coordination still translate very well.

If you are willing to try every time you are out there and don't take long shifts any team is normally happy to have you. Keep it up. You got this.

 

[Panteras]

I picked up hockey by myself from scratch. I lived in Miami at the time so you can imagine it’s pretty much non-existent but I was determined to do some sort of hockey. So I ordered pair of roller blades an abs stick and some pucks and found some local roller hockey rinks. I was out there as much as I could and I was usually literally always the only one. It’s easy to give up and frustrating as you have nobody to give you feedback or even pass the puck with. So I was picking up things as I went.

I moved to WA state little over 4 years ago and plenty of rinks in the Seattle area. I decided to transition to ice. Let me tell you that the fact that I was rollerblading and on my own I had picked up a ton of bad habits for ice, but I also had a real good base. Like the sharp c cut turn stop I use to do that all the time with roller and transitioned well with ice. Anyway yeah you just have to go to ice as much as you can, feel comfortable, and then join a beer league like I did and you just start progressing.

now I’m leaving WA back to the South and an area where there’s no ice or even roller rinks. So I think I’m gonna order synthetic ice as much as I can afford and continue there so that I don’t lose what I’ve learned so far and the progress I’ve made.

good luck to you!

 

[Cams]

As most others have said, work on skating, and with that...proper skating technique. I had one buddy who was trying to learn and he was so adamant that he was going to learn skating by basically just moving his feet back and forth, then he would stay at centre ice and bang his stick for a pass. I was lucky that I grew up and still live in an area that always had arenas to play in year round. My city is just over 200,000 and a quick count off the top of my head has 26 ice pads (plus at least 1 outdoor) in a 40km radius. We take it for granted in many places.

Please....don't be too hard on yourself, and work on it. Watch videos from skating coaches and really try to learn the proper technique - for me technique is so important to get correct. Rollerblades will help, but there is still a lot of differences. Also......get your skating down, and skating with at least some hockey gear on and with a stick - it will make a big difference. In my opinion - I don't think just jumping into beer league is the best way, but you have to look at what you have available to you. The group I play with (well played with until covid break) has a good mix of guys, some played higher levels of travel, one guy played US college (had a chance for the OHL), and mix of ages. One guy is doing what you are doing - learning as he goes, but he also is skating at rinks with public skating, and sure he is the least skilled by far in our group but he is having fun and has no problems fitting in. One thing too - wear a helmet, even when not skating on ice.

Just out of curiosity.....where in the south are you located?

 

[Panteras]

Yeah you don’t have to join a beer league to train on the ice. Basically every rink has stick and puck sessions which are just for that, to work on your skating, shooting etc

 

[its josh]

Yeah you don’t have to join a beer league to train on the ice. Basically every rink has stick and puck sessions which are just for that, to work on your skating, shooting etc

I picked up hockey by myself from scratch. I lived in Miami at the time so you can imagine it’s pretty much non-existent but I was determined to do some sort of hockey. So I ordered pair of roller blades an abs stick and some pucks and found some local roller hockey rinks. I was out there as much as I could and I was usually literally always the only one. It’s easy to give up and frustrating as you have nobody to give you feedback or even pass the puck with. So I was picking up things as I went.

I moved to WA state little over 4 years ago and plenty of rinks in the Seattle area. I decided to transition to ice. Let me tell you that the fact that I was rollerblading and on my own I had picked up a ton of bad habits for ice, but I also had a real good base. Like the sharp c cut turn stop I use to do that all the time with roller and transitioned well with ice. Anyway yeah you just have to go to ice as much as you can, feel comfortable, and then join a beer league like I did and you just start progressing.

now I’m leaving WA back to the South and an area where there’s no ice or even roller rinks. So I think I’m gonna order synthetic ice as much as I can afford and continue there so that I don’t lose what I’ve learned so far and the progress I’ve made.

good luck to you!

Nothing replaces time on ice, especially when it comes to beginners. As suggested in the above quotes, take a look at the local rinks opportunities. Free skate, stick and puck, adult beginner sessions, etc. Most rinks offer something. If they only have a beer league, approach the rink/team and ask about it. Some are truly for beginners. Even if they are more advanced than you, there still could be a spot for you. As long as you have a good attitude about it, you wont run into many issues with others (hopefully), but I respect your hesitation. If you let the guys on your team know how you feel about your abilities, most will be understanding and encouraging. The team I played on last season had a few guys that could barely move, probably a bit more experienced than you. All great guys. One had the best attitude I've ever seen, and by the end of the season he was doing great. Like, "holy crap, he couldnt skate a few months ago!"
Also, are you sure there is only 1 rink? Some might not advertise hockey programs, but may have free skates just to get some ice time.

I'm a bit old school. Rollerblades are great for maintaining and practicing some skill/muscle/coordination, but only after you are comfortable on the ice, or, like Panteras said, you'll develop really bad habits - stance, strides, stopping, edges, etc. (seeing players toe drag on the ice is one of my biggest peeves). If you want to rollerblade, sure, do it. But if you are struggling on ice, using rollerblades isnt going to magically make you a better ice skater.

 

[Gordy Elbows]

Work with whatever you have that's available....likely rollerblading,stick and ball. You'll get some skating skills from this, as well as puck handling skills (where you're not constantly looking down at the puck as you move it).
Patrick Maroon of the TBL started with rollerblades (including league play) before he transitioned to skating as an adult.

 

[LeifUK]

I was a self taught skater, after three years I was encouraged to take skating lessons even though many said I was a good skater. My coach took me back to the basics before progressing to more complex moves . It made a huge difference, and I realised that at the start my skating was actually quite poor. It’s now quite decent. My coach has skated at national level, so knows what she is doing. I’m still in awe when I watch her skate. In your case I’d recommend group lessons and then when you feel more confident, individual lessons. Half an hour a week is fine as long as you practice a lot between lessons.

The hard part of ice hockey is getting ice time and learning basic skills. I found the others never passed to me, and would take the puck off of me, even team mates would, there was a lot of abuse, insults and being pushed over, sometimes quite violently. Roller is an ideal way to learn stick handling, and a lot of the skating is similar, apart from stopping. A power stop is arguably easiest. Find a hard surface tennis court or similar and get yourself some cones, a green biscuit and a blade protector for your stick. Oh and wear pads, I have Xion boxer shorts to protect my coccyx, I can fall and think nothing of it. Try and get ice hockey coaching in small groups, six players say. I found it far more useful than stick and puck, as there was no abuse, and the coach taught me things I would never have learnt otherwise. In small groups you get enough attention to help you learn, you do really useful drills, and you’re alongside other learners so you’re not outclassed and the atmosphere is good. I can now get the puck off of some of the people who were nasty to me, generally they’re not the good players.

Hopefully I’ve not discouraged you. FWIW I’m 57, and started four years ago. If I can learn, anyone can. I know several parachute instructors who play hockey, one says it’s more exciting than parachuting! It is amazing, it’s great fun, and it’s very good for your fitness and health. Give it a few years and you’ll be a good player.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I was a self taught skater, after three years I was encouraged to take skating lessons even though many said I was a good skater. My coach took me back to the basics before progressing to more complex moves . It made a huge difference, and I realised that at the start my skating was actually quite poor. It’s now quite decent. My coach has skated at national level, so knows what she is doing. I’m still in awe when I watch her skate. In your case I’d recommend group lessons and then when you feel more confident, individual lessons. Half an hour a week is fine as long as you practice a lot between lessons.

The hard part of ice hockey is getting ice time and learning basic skills. I found the others never passed to me, and would take the puck off of me, even team mates would, there was a lot of abuse, insults and being pushed over, sometimes quite violently. Roller is an ideal way to learn stick handling, and a lot of the skating is similar, apart from stopping. A power stop is arguably easiest. Find a hard surface tennis court or similar and get yourself some cones, a green biscuit and a blade protector for your stick. Oh and wear pads, I have Xion boxer shorts to protect my coccyx, I can fall and think nothing of it. Try and get ice hockey coaching in small groups, six players say. I found it far more useful than stick and puck, as there was no abuse, and the coach taught me things I would never have learnt otherwise. In small groups you get enough attention to help you learn, you do really useful drills, and you’re alongside other learners so you’re not outclassed and the atmosphere is good. I can now get the puck off of some of the people who were nasty to me, generally they’re not the good players.

Hopefully I’ve not discouraged you. FWIW I’m 57, and started four years ago. If I can learn, anyone can. I know several parachute instructors who play hockey, one says it’s more exciting than parachuting! It is amazing, it’s great fun, and it’s very good for your fitness and health. Give it a few years and you’ll be a good player.

Your teammates took the puck off you?

 

[LeifUK]

Your teammates took the puck off you?

Yup, numerous times, during stick and puck. I’ve seen them do it to beginners too.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Yup, numerous times, during stick and puck. I’ve seen them do it to beginners too.

Stick and puck I assume is the same as stick time where you just go out and shoot around by yourself?

Or is it pickup? Which would make more sense because you said your teammates...

They take the puck off you in a game and shit or am I just misunderstanding?

 

[LeifUK]

Stick and puck I assume is the same as stick time where you just go out and shoot around by yourself?

Or is it pickup? Which would make more sense because you said your teammates...

They take the puck off you in a game and shit or am I just misunderstanding?

The rink (in England) calls it stick and puck, beginners are allowed in (I’m no longer a beginner), it’s an informal game, you line up on two sets of benches, five from each go on for two minutes, then the next ten, and so on. So you might not know your team mates. There’s usually a 10-15 minute warm up to practice anything. Someone always fired a puck at my back (wrist or slapshot) during the warm up, before lockdown last year, never did find out who. It’s during the game that team mates have taken the puck off me. That was before I took one on one and small group lessons to improve so I can now stand up to them. It’s contempt for learners. As I said, they do it to other people. These are English and Irish people, the North Americans are respectful, better mannered.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

The rink (in England) calls it stick and puck, beginners are allowed in (I’m no longer a beginner), it’s an informal game, you line up on two sets of benches, five from each go on for two minutes, then the next ten, and so on. So you might not know your team mates. There’s usually a 10-15 minute warm up to practice anything. Someone always fired a puck at my back (wrist or slapshot) during the warm up, before lockdown last year, never did find out who. It’s during the game that team mates have taken the puck off me. That was before I took one on one and small group lessons to improve so I can now stand up to them. It’s contempt for learners. As I said, they do it to other people. These are English and Irish people, the North Americans are respectful, better mannered.

Sounds like what we call “pickup hockey” over here in North America.

Once in awhile you might have a “Hot Dog” (guy who thinks he’s good and tries to show off) or a “Puck Hog” (guy who thinks he’s too good to pass).

I grew up playing the game so a random pickup teammate could never really come take the puck off me or anything of that nature... but it’s not something I ever saw anyone do in all the pickup games I played in (more than I can remember TBTH).

That’s f***ed up man, sorry to hear that.

I suspect these guys doing it to you would get pissed on by most of the people I grew up playing with.

I learned a long time ago there is always someone (way) better than you at this game, no matter how good you think you are.

So stay humble and never look down on another player just because you are more skilled than him/her.

 

[LeifUK]

Sounds like what we call “pickup hockey” over here in North America.

Once in awhile you might have a “Hot Dog” (guy who thinks he’s good and tries to show off) or a “Puck Hog” (guy who thinks he’s too good to pass).

I grew up playing the game so a random pickup teammate could never really come take the puck off me or anything of that nature... but it’s not something I ever saw anyone do in all the pickup games I played in (more than I can remember TBTH).

That’s f***ed up man, sorry to hear that.

I suspect these guys doing it to you would get pissed on by most of the people I grew up playing with.

I learned a long time ago there is always someone (way) better than you at this game, no matter how good you think you are.

So stay humble and never look down on another player just because you are more skilled than him/her.

You’re right, the really good players (which includes Canadians and Americans) don’t do that shit. Puck hog? Yeah, seen a few of them!

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

You’re right, the really good players (which includes Canadians and Americans) don’t do that shit. Puck hog? Yeah, seen a few of them!

We generally welcome new players and like helping them learn the game.

What is the point of the way these guys treated you, exactly?

So you would quit or what?

 

[LeifUK]

We generally welcome new players and like helping them learn the game.

What is the point of the way these guys treated you, exactly?

So you would quit or what?

They see novices as getting in their way. And yes I think they want them to leave. It’s mainly young players, older ones have your attitude. I also enjoy helping novices, giving them skating tips, or doing simple drills with them. I used to get a lot of verbal abuse (put downs and insults) from a small number of people. Don’t get me wrong, most people are decent, many are really nice.