Hockey is one of the most popular winter sports in North America, played indoors on ice rinks that can get as big as the ones outdoors. It’s a game that’s easy to learn, yet challenging to master. It allows beginners to slowly build up their skill and become better at the game, which in turn, makes it popular among first-time players. But what happens when the outdoor games are over and it’s time for ice skating?
Most people don’t give figure skating a chance, assuming it’s just as hard as hockey since they’re both winter sports. But is figure skating really that hard? Before you answer that question, let’s take a quick look at some basics about the two sports.
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The Basics Of Hockey And Figure Skating
Both hockey and figure skating are played on ice, but that’s where the similarities end. While hockey is a team sport played in a certain formation, figure skating is an individual sport where the competitor performs individually against the clock.
Hockey is also usually played on a larger surface, which can make a difference in terms of technique. Since skating is such a technical game, going on ice can make a big difference. On the other hand, hockey is generally a faster game, which might help you on your way to mastering it.
Despite these differences, there’s still much crossover between the two sports. For example, hockey players are generally very good at figuring out where they should be on the ice and using their equipment to their advantage. And in some cases, coaches from one sport might end up helping the other one improve their games.
The Differences Between Hockey And Figure Skating
Apart from the surface on which the game is played, there are many other differences between hockey and figure skating. Here are some of the major ones.
Matching Sizes
One of the biggest differences between hockey and figure skating is the size of the sports. Although ice hockey is usually played on a smaller scale than its outdoor counterpart, it’s not uncommon for a rink to hold up to 12 players, each one on a side (there are no minors in hockey).
By comparison, the figures in a skating contest are usually much smaller. The sport was originally designed for children and beginners, and that’s reflected in the size of the skaters. While there are some professional-level skaters who are around 4’11”, the average size of a figure skater is closer to 3’10” (or shorter) – just like in real life.
More Strategy
As we’ve established, figure skating is a more tactical sport than hockey. The key here is that in order to win, figure skaters must figure out the fastest path to the puck without any hindrances. This involves much more thought than throwing a punch at the other player and hoping for the best.
For example, when skating backwards, it’s not uncommon for a figure skater to throw a quick jab at the puck to catch it and then spin away. This is to prevent the opponent from kicking the puck away or attacking them while they’re not looking.
As for the game’s most iconic move, the spin – that’s the same in both sports. However, hockey’s twist isn’t always a 360-degree turn but can vary somewhat. When done right, it gives the player an extra boost and can make the difference between winning and losing.
The Enjoyment Factor
Last but not least, we have the enjoyment factor. While hockey is a physically demanding sport, it’s also one of the most popular winter sports in North America. It’s probably because of the physicality of the game, yet the skill involved in moving around on the ice. Even beginners find it quite exhilarating to skate around for a bit, getting used to the feeling of moving on ice without falling down.
By comparison, figure skating is a much more technical sport. Going to the rink is never really fun for anyone involved, especially since beginners struggle with falling over and over again. For an already exhausted beginner skater, putting in the extra effort to master a kick-ass spin might not sound like a good idea.
But that’s why we have practice. So that you can enjoy the little moments of progress while also working hard to improve your game.
Is figure skating really that hard? The short answer is no. Is it more difficult than hockey? The answer to that is really depends on your own level of expertise. It’s not uncommon for beginners to underestimate the sport, only to find themselves thoroughly confused when competing against more experienced skaters.
Even if you’re a seasoned player, going from zero to hero (or heroine) in figure skating can feel tricky. That’s why it’s always a good idea to seek help from a professional, who can work with you on all sorts of things, including your skating. In order to find the best figure skating coach in your area, check out this useful resource from the American Institute of Stress.
Wrapping Up
To end off this article, let’s just reiterate how much crossover there is between hockey and figure skating. Despite the fact that these two sports are very different, they have a lot in common. And that’s only because they both involve a lot of moving around on ice.
But aside from the surface on which the game is played and some basic strategy, there’s really not that much crossover between the two. And that’s exactly how it should be since they’re both such unique sporting experiences. If you’ve ever thought that figure skating is harder than hockey, then you’re probably right. Just keep practicing and have fun.