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Archive for the ‘Hockey’ Category

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.

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A good hockey player hinges upon a good skating technique to support his game. Let’s observe the three main phases of the skating process in hockey, and point out a few common mistakes that can be made in each phase. The first phase is the stride, or where the power derives from to glide forward. This begins in the hip of the back leg, flows through the knee, and finishes in a full extension of the ankle. The leg and foot should be at about 45 degrees from the direction that you will do skate, and the weight should be on the ball of the foot, and more to the inside edge of the blade.

When the leg is fully extended, you could be in a position to visualize a straight line from the foot, through the leg and hip, all the way up to the shoulders. Do not do a good number of arm flailing, and keep just one single hand on your stick if you do not have the puck.

Common troubles with the stride phase are that your stride skate comes off the ice before the leg is fully extended. Skate slowly around the rink to check to make certain that the leg is fully extended before you start to bring it forward, to make sure you get the full power and speed from each stride. Also ensure your ankles are essentially straight, and not leaning strongly in or out. If so, you may wish to find an assorted pair of hockey skates that provide the quantity of ankle support that you require. Make sure that your weight is more to the inside edge of the blade, and don’t feel embarrassed about falling down when trying this. Do not point your toe straight down at the completion of the stride, for this upsets balance and decreases speed.

Once the stride phase is complete, the next phase is when you glide on the forward foot. Weight should be over the ball of the foot, and the leg bent nearly 90 degrees. The remainder of your body should have shoulders over hips and eyes forward, not down. This phase takes strong muscles, and it takes time to prepare it well. The big problem here’s balance, where your leg should be directly under the center of your body, your weight should be centered on the blade and not internally edge, and your head is up and over your support leg.

The final phase is to have the back, or stride, leg underneath your body again. Slightly raise the hockey skate off the ice, and return the leg so that the skate points in the direction you want to go next. This gets you prepared to use the other leg to commence the next stride phase. The greatest problem here’s to avoid moving your body side to side, as that will disrupt your balance and slow you down. During the recuperation phase, also ensure that the gliding skate stays flat and your weight does not move to the inside or outside edge of the hockey skate.

Before you unload your wallet on a pair of new hockey skates, you should first consider the level you are playing at. This article will review the various types of players when it comes to ice hockey. Feel free to use this guide to help determine which category you fit best in. More than likely you will fit in one of the two categories below.

The Weekend Recreational Player

Are you someone who plays on occasion? Do you play at a high level but not enough to be in the amateur leagues? If so, you belong to this group. However, just because you are not a professional player, doesn’t mean you should sacrifice comfort or performance. Just be aware that you might not have to spend a fortune to get a great pair of ice hockey skates.

There are plenty of options when it comes to finding the right skate from major brands. The great thing is that you won’t break the bank. Both Easton Hockey and Bauer offer a good selection of skates that deliver while being fairly affordable. Remember they stand behind their products and have a reputation to uphold.

The High Intensity Performance Player

However, if you were involved in organized sports or play for a team, then you would fit into the amateur hockey group.

Most of the time, these players are part of a school hockey team or play for a private league. Because you will be playing for longer periods, several times a week, you will need a skate that will last and endure the wear and tear of high intensity games. These skates are designed for heavy use with a focus of providing comfort and stability to the player. CMM brand offers a good selection of high performance skates for the regular skater.

Again, Easton Hockey and Bauer offer their high performance line as well. These are some of the best skates available on the market today. When it comes to the NHL, manufactures make sure that they deliver the quality skates to the demanding rigors of professional hockey games. This translates to equipment that exceeds the public’s expectations. Most of the time, the general public creates the demand to have the same type of skate that these professional players have on.

The truth of the matter is that the skates the NHL uses are typically custom- made for each player. So, in reality the skates available in public are not exactly the same as the ones worn in the NHL. However, there will be some sort of remake of it in retail stores. Just be aware of your level of playing when you decide which skate you will buy.

All skates should provide excellent comfort no matter what the brand is or price. So always keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great pair of skates. Choose what best fits you’re playing style and activities. Most manufactures will have a wide selection of levels to choose from. Be sure to ask a lot of questions and test it out for comfort.