How hard is it to learn how to play ice hockey?

[Squatch]

I don't skate. I'm terrified of skating backwards. I broke my arm when I was 8...when I slipped and fell on ice, so there's that little phobia, too.

The last time I wore pads was in high school.

But, all that being said, I think I need a sport where I can just beat the living shit out of something with a stick. Just wondering if I could learn to play decent ice hockey...decent enough for the amateur adult league around here.

On edit: I realize now, after the first initial responses, that people have taken my comments to mean that I seek to beat the living shit out of somebody, hence my desire to learn ice hockey. My public relations staff has indicated to me that I shouldn't appear too hawkish on fighting at hockey games, so I hereby wish to submit this note of clarification. I, Squatch, wish to learn to play ice hockey, a potentially violent contact sport involving the use of sticks and blades. Whereas my aim will always be to employ those tools in a peaceful manner, there may be instances in which repetitive grievous harm to another may be unavoidable. Hence, I wish to launch a new campaign that seeks to educate Squatch about the peaceful aspects of learning to play the game of ice hockey. The public's involvement in this campaign is encouraged. Thank you and may God bless the USA. :patriot:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. You realize that's NOT the point of hockey, right?

:shrug:

Maybe you should try this instead:

[Squatch]

2. I don't want to kill anybody...

just want to lay the hurt down a little. :evilgrin:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. Oh this won't kill.

Maybe put out an eye or some teeth, but you'd have to really heave the thing to pierce the chest. :evilgrin:

[Wcross]

3. Why not get into the fight club scene?

You wouldn't need to learn how to skate and you wouldn't have all the equipment costs. Also, most leagues will throw you out for the stuff the NHL allows.

[no name no slogan]

4. Hockey part is easy-- ice skating may be difficult

I'm from MN, where the younguns often learn how to ice skate before they learn to walk (no joke). Before you get to beat the shit out of anybody with a stick, you first need to learn how to skate.

It's not as easy as it looks. And it's bloody hard to body check somebody if you can barely keep your balance.

I'd try LaCrosse instead: big stick, some pads, no ice. Much easier.

[Squatch]

6. We have a rink about 1 mile from my house

that has 3 adult leagues. Sounds like a good way to get out and get a little exercise.

BTW...I don't want to beat anybody with a stick. I was just being facetious.

[no name no slogan]

17. Yeah, you don't strike me as the type

Most adult leagues keep the checking to a minimum, anyway, and usually disallow serious body checking.

But there's always bareknuckle boxing for that.

[devilgrrl]

7. It looks easier than it is...

but if you stick with it, you can get pretty good. :shrug:

[Squatch]

8. Any tips on equipment, learning to skate, etc?

[Ryano42]

11. Play It Again Sports...

Get some used, cheap shin/knee guards, elbow pads and pants at least...

Sign up for a learn to skate class...to get a good base of skating. Instruction is important. Then see about beginner's hockey.

It's fun...it's not fighting and you just might love it.

Maybe even love it enought to be a goalie like ME! :)

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

41. PAS is OK for some things...

but you do not want used shin guards, helmet, or cup. Think of it like used car seats for kids, and hidden damage to the inside. You want all of it intact. The helmet and cup are obvious why you don't want reuse.

OK, the cup was over the top.

Learning to look for where the referee is and how to pull opponents down on top of youis an invaluable skill for getting power plays. Trust me. I know B-)

DBDB

[devilgrrl]

42. Go to public skate sessions as much as possible...

occasionally some may have intructors handy to help you get to know the edges of your skates.

Many rinks also host hockey clinics or camps, so check into that.

For equipment....

Depending on how big you are, the bigger - the more expensive - especially for skates, check out Play It Again Sports, check craigslist and your local rink for used equipment. Sticks can get expensive if you plan on breaking them over people.... don't even think about it you silly! Wood are heavier but don't break as easily as the way more expensive graphite ones.

Check it out. Getting skating down is tough - just stick to it - it's great exercise anyway. :-)

[seaglass]

9. You must dive full-body onto the ice repeatedly

(with helmet and pads on of course) this is how you'll get over fear of bone breakage - you will fall a lot. It's one of the first drills kids do when they're learning to skate and its invaluable. Just don't hit the boards.

Have fun!

[Ravenseye]

22. I remember that

I actually took Judo specifically to learn how to fall better...

After a youth with lots of skiing and ice hockey, my balance on normal feet now is pretty good. Hard for me to fall, and if I do I instinctively land soas not to hurt myself, generally.

I loved it though. I would skate real fast and then leap into the air and "WHHHUUFFFF". It was actually pretty amazing how little it hurt to do with the pads on.

[underpants]

10. It's just team putting

It can't be very hard, have you seen the people who play this "sport"? The fans too-they are like trained dogs--a red light goes off and they stop beating their wife and scream and yell then they settle back into their funk...drink some more beer out of plastic cups...and resume beating their wife/girlfriend.

I would suggest sticking to the original --- field hockey or the basis of all team sports---football (Soccer in America)

[nickgutierrez]

13. .

:popcorn:

[underpants]

14. .

Move over :popcorn:

[nickgutierrez]

16. You like fire, don't you?

:hi:

(I disagree with the first post, for what it's worth.)

[LostinVA]

35. Where the hell are the Milk Duds?

[no name no slogan]

18. Nothing a slapshot to the face wouldn't fix

:popcorn:

[underpants]

19. Damn glove hand is too quick

Holds onto puck

[Ryano42]

23. BLASPHEME!!!!

On this most important American Hockey Holiday!!!!

I am putting on the foil...if you don't know what that means....you will! :P

Nahhh...hate fighting. :hug:

[ProfessorGAC]

12. The Skating Is Everything

I played. I wasn't exceptional in the skills of the game, (ok puck handler, ok shooter, ok passer, like that), but i could skate! I was fast and quick and nifty.

Just that got me on the team. The handling, checking, shooting, poking, etc. comes with repetition, but i would have never gotten the time to learn if i couldn't skate as well as anyone there.

So, i think the skating thing is the be all, end all.
The Professor

[texas1928]

15. Just play field hockey, just as violent and no ice.

:thumbsup:

[LostinVA]

37. REALLY violent -- I played it in high school

Broke my nose, broke many other things, got in fights, tripped people... and, best of all, because of a nasty accident while playing it in a kilt in a frigging BLIZZARD in 1982, I walk with a limp today. Long story.... but the knee popped, basically.

LOVE IT! NBC should show it in primetime during the Olympics. It's great!

[AllegroRondo]

20. Learn to be a goalie - they dont skate as much

of course, you'll have to put up with 80+ mph pucks coming at you.....

[ProfessorGAC]

21. And, The Goalies Need REALLY Quick Feet

That's harder than it looks. They don't skate as much or as far, but they have to have outstanding balance and really quick legs and feet. I don't think most goalies are goalies because they don't skate as well as the other players. In fact, some of them might be the best skaters on the team!
The Professor

[Ryano42]

25. Thank you...

We do! :hi:

[Beer Snob-50]

24. start a curling league instead!

you don't have to skate

[Ryano42]

26. and you can have lots of...

:beer: :beer: :beer: and still be competitive!

[LostinVA]

36. There's a curling down by Squatch, btw.

[DancingBear]

27. OK, here we go

1) I was a goalie, only because I couldn't skate backwards well enough to play defense.

2) Have you ever skated before? The difference between being on figure skates (which push off from the toe) and hockey skates (which push off from the side) is night and day.

3) NEVER use the stick as a weapon. If you do - TRUST ME - you'll get paid back. In spades. Being physical is fine, using the stick as a weapon WILL get you banned from any organized league.

4) Can you shoot the puck? This ability dictates where, and how much, you'll play. If you shoot it 8 million miles an hour, like my brother, you'll play forward, and gets lots of ice time. If not, you'll see the ice much less, and be relegated to third or fourth line duty. A line, in hockey, consists of three players -two forwards and center. The first line is considered the strongest, the second line next, etc.

5) If you get a reputation as someone who likes to engage in the fisticuffs portion of our program, remember there is always someone who'll want to test you. In a rec league, that is a really dumb thing to do, and it also does not bode well for your continued participation in said league.

6) Always wear your mouth gard!! (lest you lose a few of what hockey players call "chiclets").

Hope this helped.

edit: Stick and fighting warnings put it due to all those idiots from my youth who thought the puck was in my ear.

[yellowdogmi]

28. I took it up at 30

After my favorite team won two Stanley cups. The skating backwards is kind of tricky. The rest was pure exhilaration until I took a cross check to the back. In a two month season I had two operable injuries. That was in a "Rec" League. Don't let that scare you. It is a great game.

Now introducing number 9 With 2 Goals 6 Assists and 6 Penalty minutes

Anyway good luck.

[DancingBear]

29. I quit at 35 - playing forward in a floor hockey league

I figured if I couldn't catch a 19 year-old who took a smoke break between periods.... :)

[yellowdogmi]

34. One of my injuries.

Trying to catch one of those speedy youngsters. That extra reach. ouch. That one left a mark. nuff said.

[Karenina]

30. You need to chill.

Make the clock and your determination to push the envelope your competitor rather than taking out your frustrations on others. Take up speed skating. Dig into the ice and shave those seconds off one by one. It will keep you out of trouble.

[leftofthedial]

31. piece of cake

strap 'em on

knock 'em down

[giant_robot]

32. How about lacrosse?

All of the sticks and violence, with none of the skating.

[Catchawave]

40. That was my first thought too....

After watching my son play for 8 years, it's definitely more violent

[bif]

33. Couple weeks practice and you good enough to play in the Olympics

Piece of cake really.

[LostinVA]

38. But only if you want to play for Canada...

[Swede]

39. Plus you must be willing to have an elbow smash out all your front teeth.

Then you'll have to drink your piece of cake.

[Strong Atheist]

43. "I went to a fight the other night,

"and a hockey game broke out."


I played for years when I was younger (30 years ago). You have to be able to skate well ...