Why do most Figure Skaters wear figure skates when they teach hockey plyers?

[Mariko88]

Seems a little odd to me.

[CoachPA]

Some figure skating coaches also teach hockey in addition to private figure skating lessons and simply may not have time to change their skates between lessons.

[dbny]

Some figure skating coaches also teach hockey in addition to private figure skating lessons and simply may not have time to change their skates between lessons.

I know several who do change their skates when they have the time, and some who don't wear hockey skates at all.

[phoenix]

Skates are expensive!! Besides, most figure skaters have never even been in a pair of hockey skates--I know I haven't.

[Isk8NYC]

I played ladies' no-check for one short season and hated it. I borrowed the skates and was happy to give them back, lol. They really hurt!

[Query]

Seems a little odd to me.

I wouldn't take figure skating lessons from a coach who taught in hockey skates, or vice versa.

When coaches are volunteers (most hockey coaches are), economy is excusable. But paid professionals have a duty to understand and use appropriate gear.

I haven't vice versa'd. But I've used hockey skates enough to know they skate differently.

I played ladies' no-check for one short season and hated it. I borrowed the skates and was happy to give them back, lol. They really hurt!

Borrowed skates are often uncomfortable. But some hockey boots are custom, and any can be modified to fit and balance pretty much the same ways figure skates can.

Aside from the stiffness and snugger than normal (and healthy) shoe fit needed to control the blade, there is no reason a skate of any type shouldn't be completely comfortable, if you spend the time to make it so.

[Mariko88]

Skates are expensive!! Besides, most figure skaters have never even been in a pair of hockey skates--I know I haven't.

Then how can they teach 'Hockey' skating?

[dbny]

Then how can they teach 'Hockey' skating?

Skating is skating. Before anyone can play hockey, they have to learn how to skate. Beyond that, there are differences in stance, which is not affected by the skates, and differences in the way the boots and blades perform, but not in the skating skills. There are things you can get away with in hockey skates, but not figure skates, like dragging your toe (can be done, but better be careful!). While I agree that in teaching hockey, hockey skates should be worn, if the instructor is just teaching basic skills to hockey hopefulls, or even beginner players, there is no real need for hockey skates.

[momsk8er]

My son, a travel team hockey player for several years, took power skating from a figure skating coach. Of course she skated in figure skates, as she was a figure skater. But for power skating, or most other skating skills, the skates of the teacher hardly matter.

[Isk8NYC]

I thought that a lot of the power skating coaches for hockey are actually figure skating coaches sharing their knowledge. Maybe that's just my perception based on the rinks I've worked in in the past ten years.

Our old hockey power skating coach was a senior-level figure skater who switched skates to teach hockey skills daily. He could jump in either type of skates.

[singerskates]

When I was still with my last skating club, I was also PAing (assisting the coach who taught CanPowerSkate) power skating in my figure skates since the sessions ran one after the other and I didn't have time to change skates. The coach who taught took the time to change into hockey skates while I got the CanPowerSkaters to warm up doing laps until she got out to the rink which usually was about 2 to 5 minutes. I then after the rest of the warm up, got the beginner CanPowerSkaters (those who just moved up from CanSkate/learn to skate) to review what she had taught them and then we'd later switch groups. There was suppose to be another coach teaching the beginners but her schooling got in the way.

[Sessy]

Then how can they teach 'Hockey' skating?

Because hockeyers have to be able to use edges and proper stroking and cross over technique as well as figure skaters have to.

[shiningstar]

Seems a little odd to me.






hay that seems odd to me too :) :D :mrgreen:

[Mariko88]

Because hockeyers have to be able to use edges and proper stroking and cross over technique as well as figure skaters have to.

But the blades are totally different, as is the type of skating used. And half the time the instructors can't even skate when they have a stick in their hands.Odd indeed

[CoachPA]

But the blades are totally different, as is the type of skating used. And half the time the instructors can't even skate when they have a stick in their hands.Odd indeed

I believe Sessy was referring to the basics fundamentals of skating. Each skater, whether playing hockey or figure skating, must learn the correct techniques for stroking, edge use, crossovers, generating power, etc. in relation to their sport. Yes, there are differences, but the basics of skating are quite similar.

[singerskates]

But the blades are totally different, as is the type of skating used. And half the time the instructors can't even skate when they have a stick in their hands.Odd indeed

I don't know, I don't seem to have a problem to skate with a hockey stick while wearing figure skates. I even play pickup hockey from time to time in my skating skirt, tights and figure skates. I just ask the other players not to shoot the puck above the top of my skates since I don't have any padding. I find playing hockey good cross training because it makes me do turns and steps without thinking about skating just to keep in the game. Although I do leave the puck behind me sometimes because I forget to put the blade of my stick down on the ice in time. Opps.

[Isk8NYC]

Are the students learning the proper techniques? If so, who cares what skates the instructors/coaches wear? The results are what really matters.

If it's a beginner class, the students should be on figure skates as well until they're capable of moving and stopping with comfort.

[slusher]

For safety, everyone on hockey ice should have hockey skates and full equipment. Pointy toepicks and extended back of the blade are the two reasons. Yes there are blade injuries in hockey but they are slashing type injuries which is stopped by the equipment (neckguards), "poking" type injuries are not. There is a lot of falling in hockey and even since I was a kid a hundred years ago, figure skates did not go on the hockey rink. Coaches are no exception and should be wearing full equipment too.

[Isk8NYC]

For safety, everyone on hockey ice should have hockey skates and full equipment. Pointy toepicks and extended back of the blade are the two reasons. Yes there are blade injuries in hockey but they are slashing type injuries which is stopped by the equipment (neckguards), "poking" type injuries are not. There is a lot of falling in hockey and even since I was a kid a hundred years ago, figure skates did not go on the hockey rink. Coaches are no exception and should be wearing full equipment too.
Whoa - make sure you understand the discussion at hand here.

No one was discussing a full-blown hockey team practice or game. The learn-to-play (LTP) or power skating sessions are often run by the skating school. Your suggestion is cost prohibitive and no rink has ever required full equipment from a LTP coach. Not 100 years ago, not today. I've been skating since the 1970's and that's never been a rule of thumb for LTP.

You were probably taught by instructors who already had equipment and probably had a practice later on for their intramural or travel teams, so as someone else pointed out, there would be no time to change.

I teach a LTS group on the same ice with our LTP coach. He is an awesome player, but he only wears his gloves and helmet to teach the LTP classes. He has time to go "suit up" before the team practice starts. He's not the only one - I've taught at about 15 different rinks, and that's true of all the LTP groups. Minimal equipment for those lower levels.

USA Hockey has certain equipment requirements in place, but none of them include the full regalia for both refs and coaches. I guess you skate at a facility that has more strict rules and honestly, that makes sense. USAH had a hard time getting the macho men to wear the helmets, guess they're going to introduce full regalia piecemeal.

Starting a beginner on hockey skates just adds to the lesson fees while the kid learns to stand up on the skates. Most of the Basic 1/SS1/Alpha skaters who start on hockey skates end up repeating the level because they can't master the basic skills as quickly. It's the forward-to-backward blade rock that holds them back. It's better for them to begin on the flatter, longer figure blades then transition once they've finished the level. Saves the parents money, too.

I love the fear in your voice when you talked about the evil "pointy toepicks" though. I'd hate to see viscious 5-year olds take someone down and slice their throat with their super-sharp blades, lol. (Most parents who buy hockey skates don't get them sharpened, lol.) See what I mean?

I'm busting your chops a bit and frankly, I hate being on the ice when the pucks come out. Our rink doesn't have any transition time between groups and hockey, so I often find myself fleeing for my life. I can't imagine staying out there without protection. That wasn't the issue though.

[FSWer]

Some figure skating coaches also teach hockey in addition to private figure skating lessons and simply may not have time to change their skates between lessons.


I concure with CoachPA. I know that Caitlin MY Learn to Skate coach does duel coaching.

[CoachPA]

USA Hockey has certain equipment requirements in place, but none of them include the full regalia for both refs and coaches. I guess you skate at a facility that has more strict rules and honestly, that makes sense. USAH had a hard time getting the macho men to wear the helmets, guess they're going to introduce full regalia piecemeal.

Correct. My rink was recently looking for figure skating instrutctors willing to teach a LTP hockey class and I believe that because it was offered through USA Hockey, all instructors are required to wear a helmet. That was the only requirement equipment-wise; no one was required to wear hockey skates although some of our figure skaters also played/coached hockey and may have elected to wear them if they wanted.

[ms.goody2shoez]

Some of the basic things you can teach in figure skates, such as the snowplow stop, swivels, swollems,(not sure if I spelled that right...)etc.

[slusher]

Oh I know you're busting my chops :) Toe picks are so scary to hockey folk ! Here's some background. It's insurance, basically:

Our Zamboni driver is required to wear a helmet. The other guy fell off once and was off work for six months. It's now Health and Safety regulated. A coach had an accident. So that, plus the fact that kids questioned why coaches didn't have to wear the same stuff that they did, caused the muncipality to make equipment mandatory, and none of the individual hockey associations could make their own rules. They don't have to wear the entire full equipment, shin pads and chest protectors are optional, but girdle, jock, elbows, neck, gloves and helmet certainly are, so by the time you put that on, you might as well get all the way dressed.

It also makes sure (and this is my own suspicion) that the guys volunteering to coach house league hockey have actually played hockey within the last few years if they have equipment that fits, and might possibly have a clue as to what they are doing. As a learn to skate coach I've done a zillion hours of certifying, for coaching house league, I just walked in to the rink with my kid and a pair of skates, which was all I needed at the time.

I'd like to talk more about the difference of skating of hockey vs figure and drills used, if you'd like to. Or, how Power 3's are indeed a hockey drill :)

[Mariko88]

Some of the basic things you can teach in figure skates, such as the snowplow stop, swivels, swollems,(not sure if I spelled that right...)etc.

The reason for my question. I just recently saw a seminar for a hockey team, the player were about 16 years old, pretty accomplished team from what I was told. The skating instructor came out in figure skates and had them hopping, jumping, and doing 1 legged skulls etc. As a bystander, I just couldn't figure out why the instructor wouldn't be wearing hockey skates, have a stick in their hand, and what most of the drills were for.

Just thought I was missing something. That's why I asked. :)

[Query]

From what I can tell, different hockey instructors teach different skills. Typical ones I've watched focus on skills like

skating without falling down
falling in all directions, getting back up quickly
pushing sideways for speed
using very deep edges
skating in a wide two foot stance for stability
leaning forwards for efficiency
crashing safely into walls
fast unpredictable direction changes
forward and back
side to side
skating
jumping
sliding
two foot jumps (why?)
"drunken sailor" routine (why? must be just for fun)
skating on toe of one skate while on heel of other
starting very fast
from a run
rolling through the whole length
stopping very fast
sprinting
skating with a stick
shooting the puck with stick
passing
kicking the puck
blocking
checking
special skills for golies
stopping in a way that sprays snow on someone
tussling

Some of these aren't figure skating skills, but most good figure skaters would have little trouble with anything not involving sticks, pucks or checks - except side to side slides, drunken sailors, rolling through the full blade (including where the toe pick is), and the heel/toe thing, which aren't very practical in most figure skates.

...pretty accomplished team from what I was told. The skating instructor came out in figure skates and had them hopping, jumping, and doing 1 legged skulls etc. As a bystander, I just couldn't figure out why the instructor wouldn't be wearing hockey skates, have a stick in their hand, and what most of the drills were for.

If they were a pretty accomplished team, that routine must have worked pretty well too.

The figure skater may not have been their only coach.

[dbny]

two foot jumps (why?)
Some of these aren't figure skating skills, but most good figure skaters would have little trouble with anything not involving sticks, pucks or checks - except side to side slides, drunken sailors, rolling through the full blade (including where the toe pick is), and the heel/toe thing, which aren't very practical in most figure skates.


Ever have to jump over someone in your path when you can't stop in time?

Side to side slides are actually a figure skating exercise for developing the first (BI edge) push on BXO's after learning to do them with B half swizzles. There is a figure skating move called the drunken sailor, don't know if it's the same as for hockey, but probably is. Speed and the ability to orient after fast turns are probably the goal for hockey. Yeah, we don't roll forward through the full blade except when planting face firmly in ice. :lol:

[Isk8NYC]

The reason for my question. I just recently saw a seminar for a hockey team, the player were about 16 years old, pretty accomplished team from what I was told. The skating instructor came out in figure skates and had them hopping, jumping, and doing 1 legged skulls etc. As a bystander, I just couldn't figure out why the instructor wouldn't be wearing hockey skates, have a stick in their hand, and what most of the drills were for.

Just thought I was missing something. That's why I asked. :)Sounds like you were watching a power skating class for hockey players. They're often taught by figure skating instructors because of certifications and skating skills.

[Query]

Ever have to jump over someone in your path when you can't stop in time?...There is a figure skating move called the drunken sailor, don't know if it's the same as for hockey, but probably is.

Wouldn't trust myself to jump over someone. I stop or turn, and avoid crowded ice.

I stand corrected on all counts. Can't find "drunken sailor" in my outdated USFSA rulebook. Does it look like

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-do-the-drunken-sailor-speed-skating-move-216675

(ignore the link title - speed skaters aren't allowed to do tricks. Looks like the move I've seen show-off hockey skaters do.)

[blue111moon]

I teach hockey players in figure skates because I'm not teaching "hockey" - I'm teaching "skating" - and the skills are done the same no matter what skates you wear.

In fact, the only difference in the way I teach is that in hockey I don't emphasize posture as much as I do in the figure skating classes. Hockey is more about balance than posture.

I do teach basic hops and jumps in hockey because it teaches balance and recovery. Basic spins are also about balance and turns.

One thing I'm adamant about (and fortunately so is the director of the hockey program I teach for) is that hockey players need to learn to skate before they get a stick in their hands. One of the now-defunct programs here taught three-year-olds to skate with sticks from Day One. None of the kids who came out of that program could stand up without leaning on a stick.

[dbny]

Wouldn't trust myself to jump over someone. I stop or turn, and avoid crowded ice.

Unfortunately, sometimes there is no choice, and that is especially true for a fast moving hockey game.

I stand corrected on all counts. Can't find "drunken sailor" in my outdated USFSA rulebook. Does it look like

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-do-the-drunken-sailor-speed-skating-move-216675


There are lots of moves that are not in the rulebook. Yes, that is the drunken sailor being done by my friend, Dan Percival, insane inventor of extreme ice skating.

I teach hockey players in figure skates because I'm not teaching "hockey" - I'm teaching "skating" - and the skills are done the same no matter what skates you wear.

In fact, the only difference in the way I teach is that in hockey I don't emphasize posture as much as I do in the figure skating classes. Hockey is more about balance than posture.

I do teach basic hops and jumps in hockey because it teaches balance and recovery. Basic spins are also about balance and turns.

One thing I'm adamant about (and fortunately so is the director of the hockey program I teach for) is that hockey players need to learn to skate before they get a stick in their hands. One of the now-defunct programs here taught three-year-olds to skate with sticks from Day One. None of the kids who came out of that program could stand up without leaning on a stick.

ITA on all counts, especially not putting sticks in the hands of those who can't skate yet!