Learn to Play Hockey

The Hockey curriculum is designed to teach the fundamentals of hockey skating. In four badge levels, skaters will learn how to maneuver faster and be more agile on the ice. Proper skating techniques are the primary focus of the levels. All elements will be taught without a puck. Skaters will learn the necessary fundamentals to be successful in game situations. These classes are the stepping stone to Jr Cyclones.

 

USFS Basic Skills Membership
All Skate School participants, for both figure skating and hockey classes, must have a valid United States Figure Skating (USFS) Basic Skills Membership purchased in their name. This is an $20 mandatory insurance that lasts for a year. The calendar year for Basic Skills is June 1- May 31. Please purchase this before you register for your skate school class, as you will not be able to register for skate school classes unless you have this purchased. Choose ‘Register’ on the menu bar on the homepage of our website, then choose ‘Memberships’. Each skater is required to have this membership.

Please note: Children ages 3-5 must start in Learn to Skate classes before taking Hockey 1-4.

Learn to Skate 1 (age 3-5)
This class is for young beginners who are interested in pursuing figure skating or hockey. The class focuses on introducing young children to beginning skating skills in an atmosphere of fun, using games and ice-safe toys to help teach basic skills. Elements include proper falling and getting up, marching, gliding and forward swizzles.

Learn to Skate 2 (age 3-5)
This class is for young children pursuing figure skating or hockey who are familiar with skating. Skaters in Learn to Skate 1 progress to this level. Elements include forward skating, one foot glides, forward and backward swizzles, curves and beginning snowplow stops.

Learn to Skate 3 (age 3-5)
Prerequisite: Learn to Skate 2. This class is for young children who have completed Learn to Skate 2. Elements include forward pumps and stroking, advanced backward swizzles, one foot glides on a circle and beginning forward crossovers, backward pumps and backward stroking.

Hockey 1 (ages 6 – 9)
Students in Hockey 1 will learn: how to sit on ice and stand up, the proper hockey stance, march forward across the ice, forward two foot glide: one time the skaters height, dip or squat, scooter pushes or T-push, forward swizzles, snowplow stop, and backward skating.

Hockey 2 (ages 6 – 9)
Prerequisite: Hockey 1
Students in Hockey 2 will learn: the backward stance, skating forward using full strides, forward one foot glides: right and left, backward hustle, backward swizzles, glide turns: both directions, and moving snowplow stops.

Stick & Puck (ages 6 – 9)
Prerequisite: Hockey 2, 3 or 4
Stick & Puck Instructional introduces the techniques of stick handling, shooting, and passing. This is a great second class for skaters in the Skate School program. Pairing this class with a Hockey 2, 3, or 4 is the way to go. If possible, plan your classes on separate days to allow more ice time throughout the week. (Example schedule: Stick & Puck on Tuesdays, Hockey 2, 3, or 4 on Thursdays).

• Helmet with face shield or cage

Hockey 3 (ages 6 – 9)
Prerequisite: Hockey 1 and 2
Students in Hockey 3 will learn: forward c-cuts on a circle: right and left, hockey turns with speed in and out of turn: right and left, forward slalom, forward stop and starts, backward v-stop, and lateral marching crossovers: both directions.

Advanced Skills (ages 6 – 9)
Prerequisite: Hockey 2, 3 or 4
After reaching Hockey 3, students can also sign up for Advanced Skills. Students will learn