Guide for Those Who Want to Start Playing Hockey as an Adult
Are you thinking about starting to play ice hockey as an adult? We think that’s a great idea! However, there are a few things you should consider before heading out onto the ice rink. Here’s a guide for those who want to start playing hockey later in life.
Starting to play hockey as an adult can feel difficult for several reasons. Maybe you’ve barely ever skated before, which means you’ll inevitably need to spend many hours practicing to learn. Or perhaps you’re completely comfortable on skates but less sure about how to choose equipment that fits properly. Another common question is where to actually turn to get the opportunity to play. To answer these questions and point you in the right direction, we’ve gathered our best tips here for those who want to start playing hockey as adults.
What equipment do I need?
As a beginner, you naturally don’t need the same advanced equipment as an elite player. At the same time, it’s not a good idea to settle for just anything. With skates and protective gear that have a good fit, the right size, and don’t cause pain or chafing, you’ll have a much more enjoyable experience on the ice. The same goes for your stick, which should be adapted to your height so you can handle the puck properly.
A complete set of hockey equipment includes skates, stick, gloves, helmet, neck guard, elbow pads, shin guards, shoulder pads, and hockey pants. The last two can sometimes be skipped if you’re just playing casually with friends, but in organized ice hockey, shoulder pads and hockey pants are mandatory. Below, you’ll find product suggestions from our range that could be right for you.
Where can you start playing hockey as an adult?
If you’re a group of friends who want to start together, it can be a good idea to book ice time at your local rink. There are often public sessions available as well, with or without a puck. Another option is to set up a small hockey rink on a lake when the ice is stable during the winter. It doesn’t get much more authentic than that! If you want to take it a step further and get more continuity with your hockey, you can contact associations or hockey clubs and ask if they have a veteran team you can play on. It’s also possible to start your own club and register the team in a league.
As you understand, the conditions vary depending on where you live. But don’t give up. There are surely several people sitting at home dreaming about getting to play hockey. So ask around in your area and take matters into your own hands. It might start with a handful of acquaintances who meet during public ice times at the rink and end with a full team that both practices and plays matches in a league.
How do I learn to skate?
Being able to skate is a prerequisite for playing hockey. Therefore, you should take a few extra trips to the rink and practice this specifically before you put on your hockey equipment. Or by all means, skate with a stick in your hand and hockey protective gear on your body so you get a feel for what it’s actually like to play ice hockey. If you bring a puck, you can also practice your puck control and stickhandling at the same time.
Benefits of starting to play hockey as an adult
Even though ice hockey is a physical contact sport, serious injuries are relatively uncommon. This is mainly due to the equipment that protects the body from head to toe. In addition, hockey generally doesn’t put as much strain on joints and muscles as many other sports, since the basic stance with slightly bent knees keeps your center of gravity close to the body and you rarely end up in fully extended end-range positions that risk injuring ligaments and muscle attachments. The movement pattern when you skate is also smooth, because the friction between the blade and the ice is lower than when, for example, you run in shoes on a hard surface. For these reasons, ice hockey is a good choice of sport, not least for those who are older.