A quick tip for better hockey skating skills

The wrong and the right way to wear skates.

A common problem I have noticed in my years of coaching has to do with painful crossover or problems with stops. Many players tend to avoid doing either because it causes discomfort in the ankles.  This tip is a quick fix if you or your player is having a hard time stopping, crossing over or their ankles bend inward. A quick look at the equipment can fix a lot of wasted time, pain and un-necessary wear and tear on your skates.

Figure 1.

         If you or your players is experiencing any of the three problems I’ve mentioned, this tip is for you. Instead of wearing your shin pads on the inside of your skate tongue, try putting the shin pads on the outside. (see figure 1.)  As a player becomes more advanced, they can decide whether to continue using this technique.

Figure 2.

 When the tongue is on the outside of your shin pad, (see figure 2.) it pulls the slack out of the skate laces after they have been tied. It’s very important for players to wear their skates tight around the ankles for maximum support. When skates are loose, certain skills can be painful, like stopping or crossing over. To avoid this, ensure the skates are tied tight and to the top.  Don’t miss any eyelets; the tighter the skate, the more control the player will have. Without the correct amount of support for the ankles, players will tend to favor stopping on one side or have a difficult time finishing crossovers.  The ankles bend inward, thus utilizing only the inside edge of the skate. This makes it almost impossible to perform the crossunder part of a proper crossover.  Successful stopping is also affected.  A good stop begins on the flat surface of the skate; without the ankle support, the blade will grip the ice and the player will fall.  Placing the shin pads on the outside will ensure a tight and controlled ankle and improve your game greatly.  There are many factors to consider when learning the skills that we have mentioned here. (Be aware that if the problem still exists after trying this technique, it may be because the hockey skate has broken down too much.) Checking for this problem first helps eliminate equipment as a possible source for you or your players slower hockey development.   For more information on hockey stops, hockey crossovers and other quick tips, visit bradperryhockey.com.