How to Break With Ice Hockey Skates

Stopping on hockey skates is different than breaking with other types of skates. Figure skates have toe-picks that allow skaters to pick-and-stop instantly. Hockey skates require the skater to use the momentum and movement of the body to force a stop. It can be tricky at first but with continued practice stopping on hockey skates becomes natural.

Things You'll Need

  • Skates
  • Stick
  • Ice Surface
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Instructions

    • 1

      Skate in a forward motion to gain speed and find a pace that is comfortable.

    • 2

      Turn your hips quickly at a 90-degree angle and your skate at a 45-degree angle to set the skate blade sideways on the ice and initiate a skid.

    • 3

      Shift your weight onto your stopping leg, distributing your weight to about 80 percent on the breaking skate and 20 percent on the non-breaking skate.

    • 4

      Angle the second foot so that it is skidding parallel to the front foot. The friction created by the change in momentum and weight will create new grooves in the ice and force a stop.

    • 5

      Begin skating again, advancing to a speed you are comfortable with.

    • 6

      Repeat steps one through three on the opposite leg, digging your skate blade into the ice surface with your hips at a 90-degree angle and you blade at a 45-degree angle and shift your weight to stop.