Hockey Growth for Adult Novice Skaters
(by Tony Odierna)
If you are an absolute beginner or even have been playing hockey for only a year or two, you are very likely to be a low-level performer. The first step toward growth is to admit this fact, while working on the mental understanding and physical skills needed to advance. A beginner’s progression rate will be directly proportional to the amount of quality time and effort properly devoted to improvement.
It would be advantageous for an experienced and knowledgeable coach consistently to conduct classroom sessions with a dry erase hockey rink board in order to diagram and explain positioning and duties in various aspects of the game, but this must be reinforced with “walk-throughs” on the actual ice surface because some people cannot transfer understanding of the alignments and responsibilities from lecture to the rink and need “hands-on” practice on the actual arena.
In the game of hockey, there are many offensive and defensive nuances which can be learned through playing experience. The more games that one plays, the greater the possibility that he/she will become refined and display enhanced understanding.
Being in the proper position and, especially, executing correctly will further be greatly promoted with the development of physical skills, with skating definitely being the ultimate priority. The best and fastest skater, learning and employing the proper techniques, always has the advantage. One should seek as much ice time as possible, even public skating and during coaching (which do have limitations), in order to practice turns and crossovers (both directions), stops and starts, and backward movement.
I have been engaged with many beginners who have several physical limitations, such as: 1) shooting properly, 2) stickhandling, 3) passing and receiving the puck (forehand and backhand). To improve the first deficiency, players can use a section of slippery tile or linoleum in order to shoot a weighted puck against a barrier. The individual should be certain to learn the proper transfer of weight and hand position. To practice stickhandling, the puck should be placed on a sliding surface and moved slowly, then more rapidly, back and forth. For the third factor, a player should arrange targets at different distances, hopefully with a partner.
Much like it is not realistic for a baby to be proficient in his/her movement within a year or even more after birth, so does it take time, if proper practice and mental development are promoted, for a beginner to grow into a far more accomplished player. It can be done with a commitment to excellence.