When it comes to hockey there is one thing that every player is always doing and that is skating no matter what position, forwards, defence and goaltenders. Skating is the most important hockey skill. When the players are on the ice, they have only limited possession time with the puck. They don’t get many opportunities to pass, and they don’t have many opportunities to shoot at the net
As a result, skating is regarded as the most crucial skill of hockey. You may be an excellent stick handler and shooter. Practicing and improving your skating will aid in the development of these skills and other talents. To improve their game, all hockey players require good skating skills. Many coaches emphasize good skating and spend a great deal of time teaching their players good skating habits.
Importance of Skating
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Speed
Skating is the foundation of movement in hockey, so the faster you can skate, the faster you can get to the puck. In hockey, there are numerous instances where you will be competing for the puck with an opponent so the quicker you get to the puck the better for success.
It’s also easier to position yourself well on the ice when you have a lot of speed and quickness. Hockey is a fast-paced, highly dynamic sport. The locations of the players on the ice and the overall team in pursuit of the puck change frequently. As a result, players must be able to quickly adjust to the game and reposition themselves to be responsive to the play.
Agility
The ability to be agile on the ice comes with great skating. It’s not only about getting the puck first; once you have it, you must be able to evade opposition players and create effective passing and shooting opportunities. If you know how to skate well, you’ll have the agility and creative footwork to avoid the opposing player’s puck-stealing attempts.
Turning & Pivoting
This skill is similar to agility in that it involves more accurate foot movements. In reality, it is inextricably linked to both speed and agility. Expert skaters can pivot and turn nearly instantly to face their desired direction. They can then use their quickness to get to the puck, steal the puck and or use their agility to fake around an opponent.
Pivoting and rotating helps a player’s reaction quickness as well. You can see in the new direction faster if you can adjust your direction quickly. You’ll be able to see the ice more clearly and react to new situations more easily. You’ll spend less time trying to figure out where you are and more time pondering what you should do next. Better read and react skills!
For more information on skating techniques, read our infographic below and check out our in-depth analysis of Technical vs Tactical skating.
