Skating Backwards/Ice vs Roller

[dwreckm]

So, looks like I'm out of easy accessible ice for the summer, so I was curious about how well roller hockey skating translates to ice hockey skating, although perhaps more specifically to skating backwards. I still have obscene amounts of trouble trying to figure out how to skate backwards, and the two or three YouTube videos on it don't seem to be helping much. Would roller skating translate to this so I can keep practicing?

Also, if you have any advice for someone trying to learn skating backwards, let me know. Is it just getting power from the toe of the skate? I just can't seem to get a grip on it. Also, does roller translate to ice for skating ability at all for that matter?

 

[ds4130]

I played roller for a long time before I ever stepped onto ice. That being said, skating and pivoting backwards was pretty much the same. A little shaky at first because I wasn't as stable, but if you can pivot and skate backwards on roller, you can do it on ice. Personally, I think everything you do on ice is harder than on roller, which gets your confidence down making you worse than you really are. Practice makes perfect.

I was always too skate backwards and than one day found myself skating backwards in the middle of a roller game and realized I somehow pivoted without realizing. It gave me the confidence to try it with speed. Start off slow and gradually go faster. You'll be doing it at full speed in no time and you'll realized how silly it was to be scared.

 

[izzy3]

It will help, because it is the same motion as on ice.

There are two differences. One is your transition must always be clean on roller, because you can't slide sideways. This is a good thing, forces you to learn the right way. The other is a problem if you get on the ice: usually all wheels are level, so you do not have to balance as you do on ice (the blade has a rocker). Chances are you'll fall on your face or your butt as soon as you get on the ice. You can minimize this by building a rocker into your wheels (first and 4th wheel should be smaller).

I still practice all types of pivots on roller, cause it improves my on ice skills.

 

[Thepandamancan]

Basically what izzy3 said.

I find that it's easier for me to transition on ice than roller...mostly because the wheels can and will dig in if you do it sloppy. On ice, you'll just slide (unless your skates are really really sharp) with bad technique.

I learned first on roller how to skate and transition backwards...but after playing ice the past few weeks and how easier it is...I picked up some bad habits which almost made me roll an ankle in roller.

 

[Wilch]

What these guys said, and roller will help you build the muscles you need while you're off the ice.

That said, the first game or two after you switch back from roller to ice will be a tad awkward. Otherwise it's a decent alternative.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Personally I've always found rollerblading to be harder then ice skating, and I'm a good skater.

 

[bigduga]

My biggest problem switching back and forth between wheels and steels is that I end up with pronounced inside-edge tendencies going back to the ice from wheels, and it horses with my stopping mechanics.

 

[Wilch]

Personally I've always found rollerblading to be harder then ice skating, and I'm a good skater.

I'm guessing you learned ice first? Folks who play roller first find it hard transitioning over to ice as well.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

I'm guessing you learned ice first? Folks who play roller first find it hard transitioning over to ice as well.

Actually I was a rollerblader first... I was alright for my age like 6-7, never knew the complicated stuff..

so come age 11 when I started skating i wasnt that bad... now I'm a good skater, but I cant transfer the skating to blading..

 

[Nalens Oga]

I find it nothing to be like ice. You can't push back. You have to sort of swivel and weave your feate in S motions and it's very ineffective. I can do it at an okay speed but I've never been able to go fast. If you're defending and the other guy is coming at speed, just easier to turn and go fwd.

On ice, you sort of push off, on roller blades, you move your feet side to side diagonally, it's weird and I dunno how to describe it but it's not effective. Although I use normal roller blades instead of hockey ones so maybe that's why.

 

[AcrossThePond]

I have picked up roller much faster and easier than I am on ice.

Ice is a whole new ball game. Practice makes perfect.

 

[Islespuck89]

I'm guessing you learned ice first? Folks who play roller first find it hard transitioning over to ice as well.

I always played roller and switched to ice about 2 years ago. I can't even skate in roller now. I no longer play roller last time I went to outdoor pick up game I embarrased the ***** out of myself. When i went back to Ice a few days later my skating was messed up for half of the 1st period. Some guys can do both no issues.

 

[CunniJA]

I always played roller and switched to ice about 2 years ago. I can't even skate in roller now. I no longer play roller last time I went to outdoor pick up game I embarrased the ***** out of myself. When i went back to Ice a few days later my skating was messed up for half of the 1st period. Some guys can do both no issues.

That's me too. Can't transition from one to the other without a few bumps along the way early on.