Thread: Learning To Play Hockey At 37 Blog - Inspired by seabass45

my warm up these days consists of a half a tube of ben gay.

"hey, why does the crease smell all minty?"

Originally Posted by RoyalSubject

Could you elaborate on what you mean here?

I did not know you knew how to stop on ice.

Originally Posted by RoyalSubject

but I have no trouble getting around the ice or stopping.

Then what the heck stopping you from joining a league or playing in an LGK PICKUP GAME?
Just saying.

Originally Posted by PTDP

I did not know you knew how to stop on ice.

Then what the heck stopping you from joining a league or playing in an LGK PICKUP GAME?
Just saying.

I have weak legs, no stamina, and nowhere near enough speed to keep up with even halfway decent skaters. I can barely skate backwards on ice. I can't crossover on ice, and I can't do the "hockey stop". My stick handling is also atrocious. I'd be fairly useless to a team. While I realize rec leagues are more about fun, and not necessarily about winning, I'd like to at least contribute to my team's chances of winning.

Perhaps I'm over estimating the average skill level in adult pickup games/beginner leagues though since I've never seen the play at those levels. However, I watched the PeeWees play for a bit after the open skate yesterday and they would skate rings around me.

See if you can find a power skating class in your area. Don't be overwhelmed by anyone out there the skill will be wide and you will pick up important technics.


Also consider the Chill practice next month.

Also what's with the weak ankles mumbo jumbo? Injury or do your skates fit properly?

Ride a bike, run or walk everyday to get in game shape. Go check out the low level adult leagues to gauge if you think you are ready or not. Take the trek up to an LGK PU, everyone is very encouraging.

I do respect your desire to have the skating down though before you join a league.


Have a blast and keep your head up!

Also get a golf ball, or Swedish ball to practice stick handling at home.

My skates fit great. What I meant by weak ankles is that my stabilizing muscles need conditioning. I felt my balance give on subsequent tries to do cross overs. I used to be able to do them just fine. Weak legs probably would have been a better description. I've been far too sedentary for far too long, and am grossly out of shape.

I have a Smart Hockey Training Ball that I've been using at home to practice. I have gotten better in the last few weeks, but I have a long way to go.

There is a Power Skating class before the Adult Developmental class I was planning on taking on Fridays. Looking at the descriptions again, I think this one is more appropriate than the Tuesday class I was thinking about taking. That one seems more like a team practice for players that aren't actually on a team. Thanks for the suggestion.

rule #1 don't compare yourself to kids learning, you're an adult and it's a totally different ballgame. Your sense of balance is way different and your bones/muscles are much less elastic. Definitely check out a bottom of the barrel beer league game for comparison. Particularly look for the team that's losing 10-0 but is still having fun, these are the skill level of teams that are literally in the same boat as you and are just happy to be playing ice hockey.

As for stopping crossovers and skating backwards, go with PTDP's advice. Super sharp skates are going to be a detriment to finding balance points. As much as you can please try to unlearn everything you know on inline skates. Finding your edges on skates us much closer to ski's or a snowboard than it is replicating mechanics from inline skates. Dragging a foot behind you is a horrible way to stop, snow plows are the way to go to learn how to hockey stop. If you can pseudo hockey stop on inline skates you'll probably have really bad habits for your inside leg when learning how to hockey stop on ice.

Build up slow, if you can stay on the ice skating and working hard for 5 minutes at a time it's worth way more than just making circles and trying something every few minutes. Don't worry about having to leave the ice to rest if they won't let you sit on the benches.

Remember that a class or practice will likely wipe you out way more than a game if it's properly run so don't be afraid to drop out (for a few minutes rest). Doing things poorly at your stage is probably worse than catching your breath and learning correctly the first time. My first classes I was literally on the ice sucking wind every five minutes and I couldnt believe everyone else was still going.

while I appreciate the sentiment of looking for a team that is having fun even when losing 10-0-, when a beginner/novice team loses 10-0, that means usually there is an issue with "ringers" that they allow into the league, and honestly, it isn't fun and your opportunity to get better will be limited since you won't be touching the puck much at all.

Go for it, young man!

I stopped playing hockey for 43 years after a severe injury ended my chance at playing for a major east coast college. At 59 I took up the game again.

Now 63, I play every chance I get. It's still the greatest sport in the world. Have fun!