Ice hockey is an incredibly fun, high-octane sport that anyone can play at any age, but it can be a little intimidating at first. You likely need to get your own equipment, find a place to play, and have enough skill to skate on ice to handle a stick without falling. To help you get started, follow these tips to learn the ins and outs of the game.
Stay Safe
Hockey is well known for its fights and rough-play. So much so that it plays a big hand in sports betting for Casumo odds and online gambling websites. In hockey, you’re more likely to get injured by a player’s stick or a shooting puck rather than a fight. Either way, it’s still important to invest in the proper safety kits to ensure you can get back on the ice more than once.
Find yourself a pair of gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and shin guards, as well as a mouthguard and groin protection. Even if you want to play for fun with your friends, you should still get protective equipment because accidents can happen.
You won’t need to splurge on your first set of equipment. Go to a second-hand sporting store and find more cost-effective hockey gear as your startup – just be sure to wash it. If your hobby becomes more serious, then think about getting better equipment.
Know your Dimensions
There is nothing worse than getting on the ice with equipment that doesn’t fit. Not only will it be uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous. Before you go to the store to buy hockey gear, measure your shoulders, chest, waist, hips, legs, and arms so you’ll get fitted correctly.
Keep in mind that skate sizes aren’t the same as regular shoe sizes. For example, a men’s size 10 in shoes will be a size 8.5 in skates for most brands. Sports stores will understand that conversion and will be able to help you get the right size if you ask.
Finally, don’t skimp out the helmet or hockey stick – they’re your most important equipment. The stick needs to match you just right so you can control the puck properly.
Stay Fit Through Exercise
Even though skating is technically easier than running because you can glide across the ice, you’ll probably get winded before finishing a whole game at first. On top of that, you won’t be skating every day, so it’s essential to keep yourself fit in between hockey games.
Focus on building stamina by running on the treadmill and choose a full-body strength training workout that combines arms, abs, back, shoulders, and legs.
It also helps to eat properly while you’re playing sports because you want to maximize performance. Muscles are earned mostly in the kitchen, so research diets that suit your own exercising needs that compensate for your weight and height.
Learn the Basics
Your interest in hockey probably came from watching it or playing it as a kid, so you’re likely aware of the rules. If you aren’t, brush up on the rules by watching a few games and paying attention to the referee’s calls. You can also do a quick Google search to understand the fundamentals before hitting the ice.
Then, build your skills as an ice skater. Unless you live someplace snowy like Norway, you probably haven’t gained the skill to skate while handling a stick and puck. Seek advice from expert skaters near you and watch their technique.
Learning how to skate will be the most challenging part of playing hockey, but if you keep at it, you can gain essential skills in under a month.