You’ve been dreaming of this day for as long as you can remember. Finally, you get to leave the house and head to the local rink to play some hockey. You’ve been watching the pros on TV and reading the sports pages, dreaming of what it would be like to strap on the skates and hit the ice with some buddies. Now that the moment has arrived, you’re not quite sure what to expect. Will you have fun? Is hockey easy to learn? Can you make it in to a career?
Table of Contents
Hockey Basics
To begin with, let’s discuss some of the basics of hockey, such as the game itself and what it takes to play it. As with any sport, there are rules and regulations that you should learn before joining a hockey team or hitting the ice for practice. While you may know what a hit is and what an assist is, it is worth going over these basics with a professional coach or a friend who has played the game before. Having a good knowledge of the game’s rules will also make playing of the game more enjoyable. For example, it’s fun to play pick-up hockey with your friends, but practicing your slap shot without knowing how to stop it from going in is a difficult task.
The Game
Hockey is a game that can be played on ice or on a hard surface. It is usually considered to be a Winter sport, although it can be played year-round in areas that are consistently cold. If you’re not sure what to expect, the NHL’s website has an excellent guide to the game, which you can read here. It explains what is required to play, as well as the rules and regulations of the sport.
On the surface, hockey appears to be similar to other sports. There is a puck, which represents the ball in other sports, and the players use their hands and/or feet to strike it with various weapons, such as sticks or gloves. However, under the surface, things are a bit different. The puck must stay in the ‘neutral zone’ (the area outside of the scoring zone) and may not be interfered with by the players. Once the puck enters the scoring zone, it becomes a goal and can no longer be scored on. Interference leads to a penalty.
The Equipment
Not only do you need to know the game’s rules and regulations, but you also need to know how to handle the equipment that you’ll be using. To play hockey, you will need a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, a jersey with patches on the front and back, a pair of pants, a pair of socks, a stick, and a puck.
Some of these items, such as the helmet, shoulder pads, and elbow pads, are mandatory and must be used for the entire game. You will not be able to play unless you have them. The patches on the jersey indicate the player’s position: for example, there is a front spot for the defensemen and a back spot for the goalies. Having these pieces of equipment will make you feel more confident out there on the ice. A good rule of thumb is to shop for used equipment whenever possible, as new equipment can be quite expensive.
The Location
Since we’re discussing equipment and the location, let’s discuss what to expect from the place where you’ll play. Rinks are located in malls, schools, and parks, often times in large urban areas or next to large suburban malls. Finding a place to play can be quite difficult, as there are certain restrictions as to where certain sports can be played. If you’re looking for a place to play, make sure that you contact the sports authority in your area, or ask a friend who knows of one.
The Game Day
On Game Day, you’ll have a chance to meet some of your new teammates. Be ready to get to know them and help them get adjusted to the idea of playing hockey. This is a very important part of the process, as you want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and has the same vision for the game. Once you have done that, you can hit the ice and get some practice in.
Even though hockey is a team game, it is still very much a solo act. You have to be responsible for your own actions, both on and off the ice. Being out on the ice doesn’t prevent injury, as it is a hard surface and there are always loose pieces of ice that can cause harm if you’re not careful. Injuries occur in hockey due to overuse or improper use of muscles, not necessarily through direct contact with another player or object. If you’re not used to the rigorous nature of the sport, it’s important to take the time to learn how to control your muscles and movements, as improper use can lead to serious injury.
The Atmosphere
Depending on where you play, the atmosphere can vary significantly. If you’re used to playing in open spaces, such as fields or grassy areas next to highways, the loud noise and chaotic movements of the fans can be a bit overwhelming. Being in an arena by yourself is quite intimidating, as you have to deal with the sound of the crowd and the flashes of the spotlight as the professional players come into the frame. Another important factor to consider is the temperature, as in areas where there is a lot of snow and ice, it can be quite cold. This makes it difficult to move around, as you have to keep adjusting your equipment as needed. If you’re not used to the cold, it can be a shock to the system.
The Learning Curve
As we discussed above, learning to play hockey is quite difficult, as there are a lot of aspects to it. One of the first things that you’ll need to learn is how to maneuver the puck. The puck can be tricky to control, as it tends to move faster than you anticipate and can bounce off the blades of the skate, especially when you’re used to playing on ice. Learning to stop the puck is also critical, as even when you don’t want it to, it will keep coming back. There are several tips and tricks for this as well, such as using your body or the stick to block the puck or shooting it with the strong side of your body, as strong side shooting is when you bend your arm and shoot with your shoulder rather than your wrist. Remember: everyone has a different style of playing hockey and there is no wrong way to do it, as long as you’re having fun. So take your time and learn how to play the game the way that you want to.