As you learn how to play hockey and you progress up the skill ladder the one skill that makes players better than others is their ability to skate and to skate well. It won’t matter how fast your slap shot is or you if can check someone into the boards if you can’t get to the puck or if an attacker can skate around you.
The first tip is to get a skate that fits. Hockey skates fit differently than sneakers and shoes and need to fit your feet more snugly. You don’t need to get the skates that Wayne Gretzky or Paul Coffey wear but ones that fit you properly. This is probably the only piece of equipment that you need to get fitted for at a local shop and not purchase on line.
The second tip is to keep you back straight and head still. You need to keep your body in a good athletic foundation by leaning a little forward and keeping your chest out. If you are moving your head around it will impact your balance and throwing your momentum around. Plus by lurching forward you will be more inclined to fall forward.
Bend your knees. Too many times you get tired and stand up to straight. You should keep your knees bent at 90 degrees and they should stick out over the tip of your skates about 2 inches. By doing this your center of gravity is over your belly button.
Remember to push. You need to follow through with your push when you stride and skate. Don’t lift your feet off the ice too soon.
Use your edges. So much of hockey is making quick stops and sharp turns. You need to be able to go from edge to edge to make that happen. One trick is to use your ankles more and tie your skates a little looser at the top so you can get more ankle turn.
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