| As you learn how to play hockey and you progress | | | | impact your balance and throwing your momentum |
| up the skill ladder the one skill that makes players | | | | around. Plus by lurching forward you will be more |
| better than others is their ability to skate and to skate | | | | inclined to fall forward. |
| well. It won't matter how fast your slap shot is or you if | | | | Bend your knees. Too many times you get tired and |
| can check someone into the boards if you can't get to | | | | stand up to straight. You should keep your knees bent |
| the puck or if an attacker can skate around you. | | | | at 90 degrees and they should stick out over the tip of |
| The first tip is to get a skate that fits. Hockey skates | | | | your skates about 2 inches. By doing this your center |
| fit differently than sneakers and shoes and need to fit | | | | of gravity is over your belly button. |
| your feet more snugly. You don't need to get the | | | | Remember to push. You need to follow through with |
| skates that Wayne Gretzky or Paul Coffey wear but | | | | your push when you stride and skate. Don't lift your |
| ones that fit you properly. This is probably the only | | | | feet off the ice too soon. |
| piece of equipment that you need to get fitted for at a | | | | Use your edges. So much of hockey is making quick |
| local shop and not purchase on line. | | | | stops and sharp turns. You need to be able to go |
| The second tip is to keep you back straight and head | | | | from edge to edge to make that happen. One trick is |
| still. You need to keep your body in a good athletic | | | | to use your ankles more and tie your skates a little |
| foundation by leaning a little forward and keeping your | | | | looser at the top so you can get more ankle turn. |
| chest out. If you are moving your head around it will | | | | |