So you have browsed through this site and are intrigued.  You wonder - "maybe I can play?"  Well you can!

The easiest way to start is the most basic - a stick and a puck. Go to any sports store and purchase two street hockey sticks and a puck.  There are a number of types of street hockey pucks.  Get one that looks like a puck if you have a fairly flat and clean surface to use, otherwise get a hockey ball.  Your driveway is the classic "rink" for starting hockey players and usually works well.

Take the puck and begin to stick handle by moving it back and forward in front of you.  Start walking forward and continue to stick handle the puck back and forth.   After you feel comfortable with the puck, pick a spot on your playing surface and "pass" the puck to it.  Combine your stick handling with passing to pre-determined spots.

Take some tape and outline a goal (4 feet high - 6 feet wide) on a flat surface.   Practice shooting the puck into the goal.  You now have mastered enough of the basics to play street hockey.

Street Hockey

Next - you need to find a friend to play against.  Start with a simple game of "keep away" to practice your stick handling.  To make it more interesting, set up a goal at one end of the playing surface and practice "one on ones."  You first take the puck toward the goal and attempt to shoot. Your friend plays defense and tries to stop you.  You then switch roles.  Allow only one shot per turn and keep score.  You will be amazed at how fast your stick handling skills improve.

You now need to recruit at least two more friends and you can start team play. With at least two players on a side you can set up two goals and move the puck up and down the playing surface.  With even more players you can begin to get more sophisticated and even have one player designated as goalie.  You may want to consider using the "no lifting’ rule to keep the puck on the surface and avoid having to buy protective equipment.

Skating

The next big step is to strap on the skates.  Depending on your location you may want to choose between in-line and ice hockey skates.    Learning to skate is not as hard as it may seem, but it does take practice. You will need some protective gear for the inevitable spills you will take. Elbow and wrist guards are very important.

We cannot go into all the fine points of skating here, but the you should get out on the skating surface and begin to move slowly forward by pushing side ways and backwards.  You also stop by angling your skates slightly sideways.  This starting and stopping technique is known as the "snowplow."  This type of starting and stopping will get you going - add a stick and you are a real hockey player.   Check out the books we recommend for learning more about skating in our bookstore.   The library also lists a number of other books, which can help improve all parts of your game.

Playing Regularly

You will now want to play more frequently and against better players.  The local rink, ice or in-line, can provide you a lot of opportunities.   Most rinks have open skating where you practice skating (no sticks allowed.)

Many rinks also have "open hockey" times.  The rink management lets players sign up for open hockey, first come first served.  They allow a maximum of about 20 players per time slot.  Teams are picked at random and five skaters per side begin.  As they get tired, their teammates on the bench replace them so everyone gets to play all positions.  Open hockey is almost always no check.  You should either observe an open hockey session or ask the rink manager to make sure you skate with players at your same skill level.

If your friends are learning skating as you do, you can transfer your games to a rink (ice or in-line.) If you want to start or join a league check out our hockey links page as we list many leagues.  Another option is to call your local rink and ask the manager if there is an adult no-check league you might be able to join.

Here are the basics you need to learn:

• how to hold on to your stick;

• how to balance yourself on your skates, even if you are being pushed or shoved by other players;

• how to skate forward and backwards;

• how to shoot the puck, with accuracy, along the ice and in the air with a wrist shot, a backhand and a slap shot;

• how to receive a pass without having the puck bounce off the stick;

• you have to know the rules;

• you have to know how to play the different forward and defense positions

Going from an observer of hockey to a player is not as hard as most people think. So good luck and keep your stick on the ice!