O/T Learning To Skate

[QnsIslesFan]

I've been a hockey fan for as long as I remember but unfortunately I've never had the chance to actually play or actually learn how to skate properly. It's a dream of mine to even play some pick up hockey as corny as that sounds. Anyway I wanted to know if any of you guys could recommend some places where I could take skating classes. I live in Queens but I go to school in Farmingdale so any place in Long Island or Queens would be cool. Thanks.

 

[twentytwo]

I've been a hockey fan for as long as I remember but unfortunately I've never had the chance to actually play or actually learn how to skate properly. It's a dream of mine to even play some pick up hockey as corny as that sounds. Anyway I wanted to know if any of you guys could recommend some places where I could take skating classes. I live in Queens but I go to school in Farmingdale so any place in Long Island or Queens would be cool. Thanks.

That's awesome man! Took a similar plunge myself 3 or 4 years ago.

Even though its a little more expensive I'd recommend IceWorks in Syosset. Really good people work there.

I was blessed to fall in with a group of guys that really helped teach me the finer points of skating and playing hockey. They made it fun and even though some were significantly better, there were never any egos or anything like that.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info or talk further.

All the best on your new quest, you won't regret it!

 

[19NYSports91]

I've been a hockey fan for as long as I remember but unfortunately I've never had the chance to actually play or actually learn how to skate properly. It's a dream of mine to even play some pick up hockey as corny as that sounds. Anyway I wanted to know if any of you guys could recommend some places where I could take skating classes. I live in Queens but I go to school in Farmingdale so any place in Long Island or Queens would be cool. Thanks.

I got college in Farmingdale too lol.

 

[Space Herpe]

There's a rink in Bethpage (which is next to Farmingdale), I'm assuming they offer lessons.


Plus, just get out there and skate. If you can't get classes which meet your schedule, just get out there and skate.

 

[lorwood]

Here is the toughest skating coach I ever had. Barbara Williams. She was the Islanders skating coach back at the old Raquet and Rink in Farmingdale. Because I was big for my age and a goaltender I got to skate with many of the great Islanders.

Go out and skate its a great game.

BTW your ankles and feet are going to hurt the first few times out but you will get past that.

"Come on Goalie pick it up! And don't give me any crap about those pads! I want you up there with the forwards!"

 

[OlTimeHockey]

Iceland in New Hyde Park is by Queens, western Nassau....good people. Some words of advice? Just learn every bit in segments....staying up. Pushing off. KNEES STAYING BENT. Balance (arse over feet at all times}. Master pushing off one leg only to stay straight. Use the other leg, staying straight. Alternate and gain form. Big "o's" going backwards {use those thigh muscles!}. Crossovers. Backwards crossovers. (both make you turn better while retaining power in your stride}

Then we have power skating where you refine it all.

I just wrote your lessons.....easy. Well, it's tough when you're learning it but easy as riding a bike when you "get it." So don't get discouraged. Continually challenge yourself each time to be fast and light on your feet and don't try to be Grabneresque from the get go.....just get to skating well. Sharpen those skates and enjoy. I'd give lessons but......you couldn't afford my airfare back east.

 

[Islanders1932]

I can skate forward, backwards, cross over and everything however, I have no idea how to stop on ice skates. I've fallen so many times on ice and it kills. So I'm kind of afraid to try just practicing stopping. Anyone know an easy way to learn how to stop where I won't hurt myself too badly?

 

[Twine Seeking Missle]

To be honest, don't waste your money on classes. Just get a pair of skates (or rent at the rink if you must) and go to some open public sessions. That's how I learned when I was a kid. When I started playing competitive hockey my father signed me up for power skating lessons but by then I had been on skates for 3-4 years already.

Best advice I can give you is to lift your feet as little as possible. It's not the same as walking. Just push off with each foot and make sure your knees are bent. Your lower back will hate you when you first start but that goes away. And when you fall, because you will, don't get discouraged! Just keep at it. Once you learn, it will become second nature.

 

[7:11 of OT]

Here is the toughest skating coach I ever had. Barbara Williams. She was the Islanders skating coach back at the old Raquet and Rink in Farmingdale. Because I was big for my age and a goaltender I got to skate with many of the great Islanders.

Go out and skate its a great game.

BTW your ankles and feet are going to hurt the first few times out but you will get past that.

"Come on Goalie pick it up! And don't give me any crap about those pads! I want you up there with the forwards!"

I skated with Barbara when I was 17 (in 1981) and my son skated with her 2 years ago when he was 15! She is slowing down, but she is as loud as always. She is moving most of her clinics to another coach in Dix Hills going forward.

 

[Twine Seeking Missle]

I can skate forward, backwards, cross over and everything however, I have no idea how to stop on ice skates. I've fallen so many times on ice and it kills. So I'm kind of afraid to try just practicing stopping. Anyone know an easy way to learn how to stop where I won't hurt myself too badly?

Make sure your skates aren't too sharp. Right when you get your skates sharpened is the toughest time to stop. Do what the goalies do and scrape them on the ice for a bit to dull them up. Other than that, a lot of people can't stop because they either lift their foot first (big no no) or they try to pivot too quick. Instead of trying to hit a 90 degree angle in an instant (by 90 degree angle I mean skating forward to a stop. Picture what your skates would look like in relation to the ice in each instance) sort of swoop your lead skate to create a small, tight semi-circle. That's really the best I can describe it without actually physically showing you.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

I can skate forward, backwards, cross over and everything however, I have no idea how to stop on ice skates. I've fallen so many times on ice and it kills. So I'm kind of afraid to try just practicing stopping. Anyone know an easy way to learn how to stop where I won't hurt myself too badly?

Ever grab something heavy and use your knees as a cushion? You bend at the knees and each inch you go down, there is more pressure being built by your muscles? Your ankle, calf and thigh, even groin muscles work in concert to sustain your torso? Picture yourself skating and you want to stop. You turn your blades perpendicular to your target {where you are skating} and imagine you're launching your entire body's weight into that area, so your upper body leans back with the momentum, your blades are angling away from your stopping area and your knees bend so you can put your weight into a "descent", so all your weight is being pushed right into those blades. If you're standing too upright, you fall into the stop, too low you'll spill.

Now with that, you stop and your knees and body are lower. This means your power is in your legs to spring mack into movement and where you just stopped, blades parallel, knees cocked, torso upright, you can take off in perfect position.

Go to a public skate like Twine said and see if you get the typical snow guys stopping at the endboards trying to get snow all the way up the glass. Watch their movements and see what they are doing. Ideally you're gonna see how this gets you backwards with backwards crossovers and how you can stop and spring laterally to move much faster in the zone. But going full bore into the boards, it's kinda nice being able to stop on a dime as well.

It's all in the knees and hips. Honestly, the torso on up stays soft and promotes balance. Feet guide and give that little extra power.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

Make sure your skates aren't too sharp. Right when you get your skates sharpened is the toughest time to stop. Do what the goalies do and scrape them on the ice for a bit to dull them up. Other than that, a lot of people can't stop because they either lift their foot first (big no no) or they try to pivot too quick. Instead of trying to hit a 90 degree angle in an instant (by 90 degree angle I mean skating forward to a stop. Picture what your skates would look like in relation to the ice in each instance) sort of swoop your lead skate to create a small, tight semi-circle. That's really the best I can describe it without actually physically showing you.

Yeah...factory sharp is nice. I used a stone on mine until I got better. I still remember the first suicide hollow after the Nystrom camp.

And I had Laura Stamm. Awesome chick! Met Barbara Williams once, but never skated with her.

Ya might as well look at some of these.....we didn't have no internetz when I was skating uphill both ways in the snow.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=how+to+hockey+stop

 

[duster19]

To be honest, don't waste your money on classes. Just get a pair of skates (or rent at the rink if you must) and go to some open public sessions. That's how I learned when I was a kid. When I started playing competitive hockey my father signed me up for power skating lessons but by then I had been on skates for 3-4 years already.

Best advice I can give you is to lift your feet as little as possible. It's not the same as walking. Just push off with each foot and make sure your knees are bent. Your lower back will hate you when you first start but that goes away. And when you fall, because you will, don't get discouraged! Just keep at it. Once you learn, it will become second nature.[/QUOTE

For sure. try skating on your own first before paying someone to teach you. Get some skates, take a chair with you, push the chair in front of you for support while you are learning. Many public skate places have versions on the chair to help support you as you learn to stand and skate

 

[OlTimeHockey]

To be honest, don't waste your money on classes. Just get a pair of skates (or rent at the rink if you must) and go to some open public sessions. That's how I learned when I was a kid. When I started playing competitive hockey my father signed me up for power skating lessons but by then I had been on skates for 3-4 years already.

Best advice I can give you is to lift your feet as little as possible. It's not the same as walking. Just push off with each foot and make sure your knees are bent. Your lower back will hate you when you first start but that goes away. And when you fall, because you will, don't get discouraged! Just keep at it. Once you learn, it will become second nature.[/QUOTE

For sure. try skating on your own first before paying someone to teach you. Get some skates, take a chair with you, push the chair in front of you for support while you are learning. Many public skate places have versions on the chair to help support you as you learn to stand and skate

not a fan of the chair, but hey, if it helps.

I like falling....it trains you better. Physical memory rooting from experience advances your abilities faster. Primitive brain stuff. Just be sure to have a good pair of hockey gloves and tape your wrists.

I should have mentioned it is better to skate slower with good technique than to try faster with slipshod technique.

The one downside with going to a public rink is that if you're practicing crossovers/turns, the traffic goes one way most sessions, so you'll have to either do right or left turns only unless you are brave and do the opposite in the corners.

And there's likely gonna be some annoying people bumping into you, so when that ten year old comes near ya, elbows out!

 

[lorwood]

I skated with Barbara when I was 17 (in 1981) and my son skated with her 2 years ago when he was 15! She is slowing down, but she is as loud as always. She is moving most of her clinics to another coach in Dix Hills going forward.

WOW! I am glad to hear she is still going. Tough as nails. Good for her!

 

[lorwood]

A great way to practice crossovers is to skate the face off circle trying to stay on the paint. A great balance exercise is to jump over the blue lines every time you pass one.

As far as stopping I agree slow is better at first and its true you don't need to make a perfect 90 degree turn. Fear is probably what is holding you back (with good reason as you can get some good bruising if you fall enough on the same spot)

 

[Volek25]

Here is the toughest skating coach I ever had. Barbara Williams. She was the Islanders skating coach back at the old Raquet and Rink in Farmingdale. Because I was big for my age and a goaltender I got to skate with many of the great Islanders.

Go out and skate its a great game.

BTW your ankles and feet are going to hurt the first few times out but you will get past that.

"Come on Goalie pick it up! And don't give me any crap about those pads! I want you up there with the forwards!"

Haha hilarious!! My junior year of high school (99-00), our Varsity team skated w BW and she beat the snot out of us on the ice. She was by far the toughest coach/instructor/motivator that I've ever learned from. She skated us into the ground and then some, the whole time yelling in and blowing the whistle at like a million dbs!!! Glad to see we werent the only ones that got destroyed by her...haha

 

[beach]

Here is the toughest skating coach I ever had. Barbara Williams. She was the Islanders skating coach back at the old Raquet and Rink in Farmingdale. Because I was big for my age and a goaltender I got to skate with many of the great Islanders.

Go out and skate its a great game.

BTW your ankles and feet are going to hurt the first few times out but you will get past that.

"Come on Goalie pick it up! And don't give me any crap about those pads! I want you up there with the forwards!"

She worked a lot with Nystrom back in the day to improve his skating.

Interesting story about her:

http://www.nyhockeyjournal.com/news/2012/08/16_skating_pioneer_barbara_williams.php

 

[beach]

Also - if you are serious about it, invest in a good pair of skates, as fit and comfort will make a big difference in how you feel out there, and consequently how you skate. The rental skates often suck big time and also have no ankle support, which is important while learning.

 

[GilliesGirlie]

I did a few classes at IceWorks, back then it was The Long Island Skating Academy. It was fun, it was a straight up beginners class, they taught you to skate and by the end of the class they taught hockey fundamentals. It was a lot of fun, and some great "coaches". one guy's name was Dan (pretty sure) Bedard and I thought he hung the moon!!

 

[Isles Junkie]

I can't stop on ice skates

lol

 

[wingnutks]

Funny you brought this up. Not ice but roller. I am gunna be 31 next week and have put on a pair of skates once in 14 years. Me and my brother are signing up for a league this week. Me and him did a couple puck shoots this week. Oh man am I sore Its gunna take awhile.

Best advice is to just do it man! I never had skating lessons, when I first started roller blades were really just being made though. Took alot of falling, but I was 7 at the time and 7 year olds bounce better than 31 year olds lol!

 

[lorwood]

She worked a lot with Nystrom back in the day to improve his skating.

Interesting story about her:

http://www.nyhockeyjournal.com/news/2012/08/16_skating_pioneer_barbara_williams.php

Yes she did. Nystrom was one of the players I had the privilege to share the ice with. Midway through our session Nystrom would come on the ice. I remember she would have him do an exercise where he would hold his stick with both hands at shoulder height parallel to his skates. They worked a lot on this drill as apparently skating was not a strong point in his game. After we were done he would often skate by me and tell me to stick around, after his skate was done he would spend twenty minutes or so whistling pucks past me.

 

[beLIever]

I've been a hockey fan for as long as I remember but unfortunately I've never had the chance to actually play or actually learn how to skate properly. It's a dream of mine to even play some pick up hockey as corny as that sounds. Anyway I wanted to know if any of you guys could recommend some places where I could take skating classes. I live in Queens but I go to school in Farmingdale so any place in Long Island or Queens would be cool. Thanks.

I both hockey skate and figure skate (i'm female). In queens, check out City Ice Pavilion in LIC. They have a lot of learn-to-skate and hockey clinics.

 

[25yearfan]

I can skate forward, backwards, cross over and everything however, I have no idea how to stop on ice skates. I've fallen so many times on ice and it kills. So I'm kind of afraid to try just practicing stopping. Anyone know an easy way to learn how to stop where I won't hurt myself too badly?

Facing forward, coast for a bit, keep knees in a deep bend and "slide" your blades outward -- wider at the heels then at the toes. Pressure on the inside edge of each blade will bring you to a stop.

Your feet should be in this position, a little wider than a shoulder length apart, at the end:
/ \

This is similar to how they teach kids to make a "pizza" stop on skis.

Do this a little faster, with less coasting until you have the feel of it....

Then, use this same technique but turn your core / shoulders the left or right and do it at slow speed. Then pick up the speed and put more pressure on the leading leg (e.g., left leg if you're stopping to the left).

If you feel better doing it one way than the other, do it the "hard" way twice as much....