First-Time Hockey Parents: Tips to Help Your Young Player Get Started

Trying hockey for the first time can feel overwhelming for kids and parents. As someone who has taught countless kids, and my own three kids, to skate (as a figure skating and skills coach) there are a few things that can make it all easier on everyone.

Whether your child is lacing up for the first time at age three or ten, these practical tips will help you both get started on the right foot.

1. Skating Comes First – They Can’t Love Hockey If They Can’t Skate!

Before kids fall in love with hockey, they need to learn how to skate. The first day of hockey with 30 other kids who can also learning, it can be pretty overwhelming. You will quickly learn that many will have feet that hurt, many will just be overwhelmed, … it can be tough. It helps to ease in slowly and help everyone know what to expect.

Try this before you hit your first practice:

• Your child will be more comfortable on the ice if they are comfortable off the ice first. Practice walking in skates at home using skate guards. Let your child get used to not being able to bend their ankles, and get them excited about their cool skates. Trust me, you don’t want them figuring out skates are different than shoes the first time they step on the ice.

• Show them how to fall forward safely and get back up – at home first. Practice putting one knee up and pushing up with both hands. It will still be tricky on the slippery ice, but it will be easier than NOT knowing how to get up the first time.

• Take them to public skating so you can go on the ice with them. Public skating allows you both to go out on the ice together, whereas, depending on the rules of your association, you might not be able to go out the first time with  your child unless you are helping to coach – this is often due to insurance – not everyone is covered and certainly no one is covered without skates on, and without a helmet.

  
  

As well, public skating ice often has a snow build up which makes it LESS slippery for new skaters. Ponds and lakes are great for first skates, too.

If you don’t skate and want to send them out with someone – hire a local youth to spend some time with them at a public skate. Make sure the child knows their goal is just to get your child out there and help them learn to get up and down. I’m telling you, once children learn they can get up on their own – they are OFF TO THE RACES.

2. Gear Up at Home

The first time putting on hockey gear should not be at the rink five minutes before practice.

Tips:

• Practice putting on gear at home a few times so your child gets used to it, and you do as well. I have heard MANY stories of non-hockey playing families hitting the dressing room the first skate and having no clue what they are doing, which adds stress for both of you.

• Watch a video on the order of equipment. It makes the process smoother.

• If your child is very young (around two or three), you can skip shin pads at first. No one will be shooting pucks at them just yet. If you are saying that’s TOO YOUNG – I started skating at 2.5 and so did all three of my kids. Lots of players do. One of my kids was so tiny we couldn’t find shin pads small enough, so they wore a couple thick pairs of sweat pants. They are fine.

  
  

3. Short and Sweet is Perfect

IF THE PRACTICE IS AN HOUR YOUR CHILD DOES NOT HAVE TO STAY AN HOUR. I don’t know if anyone will argue me on this but seriously, your child will get tired.

If your child only wants to skate for ten minutes the first time, that is a win. Celebrate that effort.

• Next time they might stay on for twelve minutes. Over time, they will last the whole session.

• The goal is not a perfect skate. The goal is building comfort and confidence, excitement, and joy of being at the rink.

  
  

4. Build Confidence First

Helping your child feel proud and capable is the best way to support their early hockey experience.

Start with:

• Success at home by getting up from falls and walking in skates.

• One or two low-pressure public skating sessions if you possibly can.

• Encouraging words every step of the way and if they absolutely don’t want to go out or stay out, for the love of god, don’t make them.

  
  

5. Make It Fun for Everyone

Keep the experience light, playful, and positive. If you want to support loving hockey for their lifetime, you are playing the long game.

For now, focus on helping your child make new friendships, enjoy movement, build resilience, and have fun.

What are the things that helped your kids to learn how to skate (without too much stress) or what would you do differently next time?

Comments or questions?

Email theresa@canadianhockeymoms.ca