I have never played, but have always wanted to. I'd like to be able to learn the sport and eventually play pick up games etc. I'd like to see improvement and get some satisfaction out of this. Any suggestion is welcome!
2007-01-24 08:44:23 · 6 answers · asked by davidasweeney 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Yes, I learned it at 27. You aren't going to make the NHL, but you can certainly learn enough to play in pick-up games. Suggestions:
1. See if something called "Hockey North America" still exists. They put you in an 8 week "hockey school", then you played against other beginning teams.
2. Skate, skate, skate. Practice skating. Then when you have finished that, skate some more, than practice more skating. Sleep for an hour, get up, and skate all day again. Skating is EVERYTHING and is the difference in how quick you pick the game up.
3. Expect to spend $1000 MINIMUM to get all the gear you need. Absolutely get the BEST skates you can afford.
4. Get into shape. If you're in shape, get in better shape. It isn't as easy as it looks on TV. A 30 second shift will tire you like crazy because you have to keep moving.
5. Mental toughness is essential. You CANNOT EVER get down on yourself to play this sport. When you get knocked down, get up fast, skate HARDER.If a goal is scored against you while you are on the ice, quickly realize what you are going to do differently next time.
6. It's a bigger TEAM sport than any other. Know your skills as a team, communicate with each other, have a game plan and encourage your teammates. If you have 19 guys who do nothing but yell at each other you WILL lose.
7. Find out when your local rink has practices, clinics, pick-up games and go to EVERYTHING. A lot of times you can practice with a team if you help share the rink rental cost.
2007-01-24 12:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by clueless_nerd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely.
We used to play 'pick-up' hockey twice a week. A few years ago, a new guy wanted to join but, like you, had never played ice hockey. In fact he couldn't even skate. But he came with his buddy, paid his 6 bucks and took his turns.
Guys skated around him easily at first, the puck was taken away from him easily, and he was easy to catch, he always went in offside etc.
But, he got better each week, and by the end of the year, his skills had improved drastically. It's true what they say about how you only get 'better' by playing against better competition.
After 2 or 3 seasons, he was a pretty good skater, had a good shot, could deke, score on breakaways etc.
So, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY, do it, have fun, and in 15 years, look back fondly.
HOCKEY is a good game -- just don't confuse 'hockey' with the NHL...hockey IS a GREAT GAME, while the NHL is a pathetic attempt at corporate heads passing off their product as 'hockey'.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
p.s. remember, if the goalies drop down -- SHOOT HIGH and if you get to face a stand-up goalie, shoot low on the stick side !!
2007-01-24 20:25:48 · answer #2 · answered by Tiberius 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most certainly. I started when I was 24, but I started playing dek/street hockey (running, not skating). You learn all the skills and how to play the game, without having to worry about not being able to skate. I played that for 6 years (tournament level) and then went to ice hockey and have played for 3 years now. Since I had already learned how to play the game, all I needed to do was work on skating. That made it much easier to focus on skating and not worrying about where you should be since you already know. It will take some time, but its definately worth it!
2007-01-24 19:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by Bluejacket 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a follow up to person above who mentioned the price of equipment. You can buy year or 2 year old equipment which is still great equipment for a lower price and is great equipment, you can get a 2004 (maybe less) model skate, and it is still a great skate.
And you don't NEED a $200 stick. theres even an ongoing arguement that wood is actually better then composite material.
Definetly pick up the game.
2007-01-24 23:21:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dad started playing at 54, and he's not like some great natural athlete. He started with skating lessons, then signed up for the adult beginner league and stayed there for several years, and now has moved up to the next league (a low C-league). He loves it and is in the best shape he's been in for 15 years, and he'll probably keep playing until he hurts something and his doctor says stop.
2007-01-25 01:54:25 · answer #5 · answered by rinkrat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can pick it up - just make sure you put it down before you get hurt!!
2007-01-28 16:45:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋