[Greenstoner]

I think most of the people grew up playing hockey in Canada. I am an immigrant and I actaully just started couple days ago with bunch of friends playing street hockey.

I am a sports guy but I usually have hard time when playing a sports which requires stick/raquet in hand , ie. Tennis, Ping pong, etc.. Only thing I am a little bit better is golf... but still not considered myself as above average GOOD...

How / where can I train myself in proper puck handling and carry the puck while running ???? My sticks get choppeed or lifted everytime i tried to carried the puck.... I was pretty pissed at myself for sucking at this sports that i loved and wanted to learn.

My buddies knows the basics to puck handling but they are not the greatest either, sometimes I wished they can provides me with more information.

I'm mid-20s and dont go to school anymore, so school coach is not a source for me.

Please help a desperate hockey fan who wants to play some hockey !! thanks

[RayBot]

Learning the game comes with experience. Play a little bit more, and it will come to you. Have fun....no need to watch instructional videos, taking down a notebook with tips, etc.

But one thing that will help is making sure your stick is the right height. If you're playing ball hockey....ideally should be playing with a stick that goes right below your chin.

[Greenstoner]

^ The first stick I bought was a Jr. Sakic's because I thought shorter stick would be better for me coz it is easier on the handling. I changed my mind after first day of playing because it is too hard on my back.. ( I'm about 6' tall ) Bought a Crosby wooden stick that goes below my chin and it is much easier but handling difficulty has also gone up... :(

[jello24]

i learned the basics like shooting back in high school in floor hockey, but after i finish my skating lessons this spring i'm signing up for those adult hockey classes the city provides. good way to know stick handling and skating (or running) with a puck in a non-competetive environment. 6 sessions for $50 here in surrey, which is pretty cheap.

it's one thing to play floor and street hockey, it's a whole different animal playing against people who came from actual organized hockey. it's a hard lesson i learned playing intramurals in BCIT. people who came from organized hockey just DOMINATE street hockey players, since they have the theory given to them. which is why i'm hoping some sort of small class can get me going further... i'm not saying 6 classes will turn you into the next gretzky, but building on those 6 classes is better than asking your buddies.

hopefully i can join a rec league next year.

[Greenstoner]

i was looking forward to join the league, but i have to work on my skills before embarrassed myself lol

[Fuhrër-Z]

-Just some random ideas for a noob, if you're getting your stick lifted a lot you're not using your body enough. If you need to protect the ball(do you really play with a puck?), stick your ass out at whoever's trying to check you, this way they have to get around you and usually only have one hand on the stick. Now obviously there's tons of playing styles but this is a good strategy for someone who can't stick handle to protect the ball.
- Also practice running lines with the ball, this can be done at a basketball court. Run to the center line with the ball and make a sharp turn back to the start line, turn past the center and so on.
- Remember, stick handling requires finesse, practice handling the ball from your forehand to your back gently, don't put too much arm into it, if that makes sense. Roll your wrists and get a really fluid motion involved. There should be youtube videos available.

As said before practice makes perfect, and playing games is a good method, but I've played street hockey for 2-3 years straight now and I've noticed I've gotten worse, so you really need to keep up the amount you play. Where do you live? Vancouver area has tons of drop in hockey programs (ice/gym).

[Greenstoner]

if my goal is to play ice hockey in the future, should i start playing on ice now ? or is it better off train my stick and skating separately ?

Im not a pro skater either, dont really know how to stop nor skating backward with lots of speed...

[mickz]

Just learn how to skate first, that's the biggest learning curve. Once your skating is good, all your other skills will come quickly.

[jdmhaze]

Started at a young age, probably at like 5 years old, playing in a "fun hockey" league....those were the days.

Anyways, as many have said practice makes perfect. Puck handling is definately one of the tougher parts of hockey, especially trying to do it with your head up so you dont get crunched or checked. Probably one of the most important things is keeping your head up aswell, to make plays, pick a shot on net etc. You wont learn over night, this will take a while.

[Fuhrër-Z]

Definitely get on the ice, community centres frequently have toonie skates, get on there and learn the basics. Try roller blading too.

[mickz]

Definitely get on the ice, community centres frequently have toonie skates, get on there and learn the basics. Try roller blading too.

I find roller blading and ice skating to be a bit different. You can always notice the players who are making the transition from roller to ice based on their skating style but a player who learns ice first is a better skater in both settings.

[Gumby]

I find roller blading and ice skating to be a bit different. You can always notice the players who are making the transition from roller to ice based on their skating style but a player who learns ice first is a better skater in both settings.
Agreed. It is easier to skate on inlines than on ice skates. Fortunately I was put in ice-skating lessons first at a young age.

[FN-2199]

Practice! You'll have it in no time. From personal experience, I started with street hockey and found that the switch from running to skating was huge. Try roller or ice hockey.
You'll be able to handle better because you literally move with the ball/puck, as opposed to running.

[Fuhrër-Z]

I find roller blading and ice skating to be a bit different. You can always notice the players who are making the transition from roller to ice based on their skating style but a player who learns ice first is a better skater in both settings.

You're spot on, my reasoning was a lot of our speed skaters come from rollerblading to ice. Or learned on ice and refined through rollerblading, but they don't require the sharp turning that hockey players do.

I play with a lot of insane street hockey players, and a couple of them em are also incredibly skilled at soccer. These are fitter, more co-ordinated, and give up the ball less easily as they use their feet a lot. Compared to my basketball friends these guys are way faster and pull off some pretty awesome dekes.

[RiceIntegraRS]

I myself never really played hockey up until alil over a year and half ago. But b4 that i practised shooting the puck/ball around lots in and just rollerblading around when it basically became 2nd nature to me. When i joined an Ice Hockey League which is also the day i learned how to skate, i was easily one of the best players in my Tier. It just takes alot of practise, and if u have a friend that knows wat hes doing, he can also teach u what your doing wrong.

[jello24]

When i joined an Ice Hockey League which is also the day i learned how to skate, i was easily one of the best players in my Tier. It just takes alot of practise, and if u have a friend that knows wat hes doing, he can also teach u what your doing wrong.
what league do you play at? i'd like to join a league like that in about a year or so... maybe in the lowest tier and work my way up the ladder as i gain experience...

[rsx]

Burnaby 8 Rinks offer several beginner - advance hockey classes on anything from skating to puck handling.

You just need to put in the time to learn the fundamentals, it's as simple as that. Good luck!

[SumAznGuy]

Another thing to go to is drop in stick and puck.
Gives you a chance to work on skating and puck handling.

Get as much ice time as you can and find things to work on. Skating forward, skating backwards, skating with the puck, etc...

[matter]

Get one of those "smart hockey" balls to practice around the house, they have the same weight as a puck so you develop a good feel for it. dont just dribble in a stationary position either, always try to keep moving while stickhandling, just try dribbling everything around the house, like a sock on the floor, through someone walking by or whatever.

Also note that when you do switch to ice/roller hockey, you will be another 1.5 inches off the ground so your stick will feel even shorter...so practice in some high heels and improve your balance at the same time =)

when you get more advanced, get a cheap balance/wobble board and stick handle at the same time, it will do wonders for your core and balance which are essential to ice hockey.

[Preemo]

Get one of those "smart hockey" balls to practice around the house, they have the same weight as a puck so you develop a good feel for it. dont just dribble in a stationary position either, always try to keep moving while stickhandling, just try dribbling everything around the house, like a sock on the floor, through someone walking by or whatever.

Also note that when you do switch to ice/roller hockey, you will be another 1.5 inches off the ground so your stick will feel even shorter...so practice in some high heels and improve your balance at the same time =)

when you get more advanced, get a cheap balance/wobble board and stick handle at the same time, it will do wonders for your core and balance which are essential to ice hockey.

LOL!!!! High heels? LOL!!!!

[Leopold Stotch]

Get one of those "smart hockey" balls to practice around the house, they have the same weight as a puck so you develop a good feel for it. dont just dribble in a stationary position either, always try to keep moving while stickhandling, just try dribbling everything around the house, like a sock on the floor, through someone walking by or whatever.

Also note that when you do switch to ice/roller hockey, you will be another 1.5 inches off the ground so your stick will feel even shorter...so practice in some high heels and improve your balance at the same time =)

when you get more advanced, get a cheap balance/wobble board and stick handle at the same time, it will do wonders for your core and balance which are essential to ice hockey.

or you could stand on a phone book and not look like a fairy :gay:

[murd0c]

basicly you need someone to teach you thats the best. I actually used to teach hockey lol

[rice cooker]

Step 1. Take power skating lessons
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[HonestTea]

I learned how to play hockey through my neighbors kids when I was like 6 or something, they were like 4 years or so older and playing on teams, so I would just go next door and play some games with them and learn the basics, they even bought me 3 sticks for one of my birthdays which was really cool since I doubt I knew which sticks to buy and the dad also helped me cut a part of the stick so it's at perfect height for me. I continued to play street hockey with my friends until I was 14 then school started to take over. FML

I guess I was lucky enough to have skilled players next door but too bad my family didn't know enough English to enroll me into hockey teams :( So I basically just took skating lessons, then power skate and then games with friends.

[the_rickster]

use a tennis or golf ball and stickhandle around the house. i'm 27, been playing hockey for 20 years and i still do it.

the ultimate goal is you want to be able to handle the puck/ball without having to look down constantly, then you can adjust your position when one of those guys come in to lift your stick or poke the puck/ball away because you'll see them coming!

[RacePace]

Learned on my own playing street hockey, it was all the time. You can and you should practice on your own stick handling the ball. I'm sure there's tons of Youtube videos to show you how to do things

[Berzerker]

Been skating since I could walk like a true Canadian. Played competitively up to Midget AAA in North Van. Stick handling is something that comes with practice and that is that. If you plan on playing on the ice get out there as soon as you can. Balls react totally different to pucks and you need different tendencies with roller, ball and ice in controlling the way you move and what you can do with the ball/puck. Go to a rec center and watch some Pee Wee practices. You can see the drills they do and then emulate them on your own time.

Berz out.

[natron3030]

Been skating since I could walk like a true Canadian. Played competitively up to Midget AAA in North Van. Stick handling is something that comes with practice and that is that. If you plan on playing on the ice get out there as soon as you can. Balls react totally different to pucks and you need different tendencies with roller, ball and ice in controlling the way you move and what you can do with the ball/puck. Go to a rec center and watch some Pee Wee practices. You can see the drills they do and then emulate them on your own time.

Berz out.

I agree. By the sounds of it you are an athlete learning a new craft. Like anything in life it takes repetition unless you are a natural. If ice hockey is your goal, don't waste your time with ball hockey. They are similar in styles, but the game is far more different. Skating will be your toughest obstical and will require the a lot of attention. Like Berzerker I've been skating since I can remember and had tons of practice. It takes a lot of determination as you should know playing golf and tennis. Think of how much time you invested into those sports and dedicate the same amount of time and effort and over time you won't be embarrassed playing hockey. I would use ball hockey to practice shooting, the puck handling is a lot different than handling a ball. Shooting both carries the same principles. Just keep your head up and always have a short term goal in mind. Good luck!

[Greenstoner]

nice advises again... i bought rollerblade recently and been playong on the street..

i skate forward, i cant stop, i cant skate backward.. and i fell on my ass couple times when batttling,..

cut everywhere, i bleed and my back is sore as hell...

but i love it...

[joonkol]

I started learning hockey in my 20's. These are my recommendations:

For skating:
Laura Stamm's Powerskating (book)
Once I understood skating theory, I learned both roller and ice skating at the same time.

For stickhandling:
Sean Skinner videos
This shows basic and advanced stickhandling moves.

For hockey stick length:
http://www.cuthockeysticks.com/

[LsquareD]

At home when I was around gr.5-ish. I had one of those cheap ass plastic sticks and a cardboard box as a net. Good times!

Played a bit of roller hockey in high school and I just stopped from there. Kinda miss it :(

[riccof]

I've been skating since I was 4 and playing hockey since I was 5 and I agree with learning to skate first. Just do some drop in stick and puck/public skate. Although you might suck at first, you've gotta start somewhere and if its something you really want to do there's nothing embarassing about that.

One thing that I think would help would be some sort of Adult Hockey Skills Classes such as: http://www.icesports.com/northshore/adult.aspx

One my my buddies does this one in the Ice Sports in North Vancouver, but I'm sure there's alot of similar programs at different locations.

In terms of practicing stick handling, if you can't do it on ice, I personally found that stickhandling with a golf ball kind of feels similar stick handling a puck on ice.

Just get out on the ice as much as possible. Playing and practicing off ice can only teach you so much and doesn't always equate to on ice skills as I find that I am a Terrible ball/road hockey player compared to on ice.

Keep practicing and HAVE FUN!!!!

[Greenstoner]

my stick is the right height (to my lips ). i.m a 6' tall and i found after 1 hour of skating and playing hockey, my lower back hurt like a bitch.

is this normal for beginner or just me having a weak back ? my newbie freinds dont have this kind of problem

[hotjoint]

I satrted playing street hockey when I was 7 with a bunch of friends that were enrolled in ice hockey. I used to play hardcore back in the day but not so much anymore. Best advice is practice pactice practice, by yourself or with friends.

[natron3030]

my stick is the right height (to my lips ). i.m a 6' tall and i found after 1 hour of skating and playing hockey, my lower back hurt like a bitch.

is this normal for beginner or just me having a weak back ? my newbie freinds dont have this kind of problem

Sounds like poor technique. You have to use your body when skating. I find newbies usually hunch over which puts a lot of stress on the lower back. Any sort of hunch in the back will lead to back problems. Your back is crucial and should be straight as much as possible. You also might be skating with your heals, you should use your legs when you push off. The best way to learn is by watching someone who knows what they are doing. This involves a great deal of studying and practicing. Most of us are fortunate to be born in Canada and pretty be thrown onto skates after we can walk. Although, pain will come from muscles that are rarely used. IE. Learning how to skate.

[murd0c]

I started playing hockey outdoors in winnipeg in the mid 80's. I tell you playing outside when its -30 with plastic skates back in the day sucked.

When I moved here I got to teaching from good old dennis johnston what a awesome funny as guy. Then from there just worked my ass off until I played rep and then jr A.


Hockey is one of those things practice practice and more practice. Even if you are having a game of shimmy you are learning how to skate better shoot harder each time. Its better to have baby steps in a way and just have fun and don't get frustraded.
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[murd0c]

What I used to do as well when I was a kid was I got the advertising off the side of a bus I layed it down and used it at ice and shot puck at my net for hourse each day. Its really smooth like ice so you got perfect grip being able to work on your wrist shots as well it gives you awesome hand eye coordination. I used to pull out the ghetto blaster and start shooting. Make sure you put something behind what you are shooting against because I put a number or holes in my garage door LOL
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[Noir]

Ahh memories. I started at 13 years old and learned it playing hockey at the hockey pitch behind Donald Mckay Elementary.

I can remember it was so religious for us neighborhood kids. Hockey before school starts. Hockey at 1st recess, then again at lunch, then again at 2nd recess, and again afterschool until dark; And then there's the weekends too. I also started playing minor hockey but only house, nothig rep.

Anyways, the only way to get better is just to keep playing. Your game will get influenced by players better than you, and if you're not playing with people of higher skill, you're also developing your familiarity with the sport. Seriously just keep playing.

[SumAznGuy]

my stick is the right height (to my lips ). i.m a 6' tall and i found after 1 hour of skating and playing hockey, my lower back hurt like a bitch.

is this normal for beginner or just me having a weak back ? my newbie freinds dont have this kind of problem

Sounds like your stick is too long.