How to Ice Skate With Hockey Skates

When it comes to skating, there are hockey skates and there are figure skates. They have many similarities but many differences as well. The biggest difference between the two is the shape of the blades and the way you glide across the ice with them. Figure skates have a toe pick in the front that is a series of little teeth that are grooved in to the blade. This is used for pushing off and jumping. But when it comes to hockey skates, there is no toe pick to use to push off. All you have is a stainless steel or titanium blade.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 BOSUs
  • Hockey skates
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Instructions

    • 1

      Do one-foot balances. The first step takes place off the ice. In order to skate on hockey skates, you need to work on your balance. Do this by standing on a BOSU with two feet. Then lift one foot and hold, then switch and lift the other foot and hold. Keep practicing this until you can easily stand with one foot.

    • 2

      Do skater drills. The skater drill is done on the ground. Stand with your feet together. Now lift your left foot up and hop to your left side by pushing off with your right. As you are landing, swing your right leg behind you and tap your toe on the ground. Now swing the right leg back, push off with the left and land on the right. Go back and forth and lean forward when you are doing this motion.

    • 3

      Take it to the BOSU's. Now set up 2 BOSU's about 4 to 5 feet apart. Face them and stand on the left BOSU with your left foot. Now hop to the right, land on the BOSU with your right foot and swing your left leg behind you. You are doing the same skater drill as on the ground, but this time on 2 BOSU's.

    • 4

      Take it to the ice. Put on your skates and come on to the ice. Keep your knees slightly bent and feet about shoulder width apart.

    • 5

      Glide across the ice. Now turn your right foot to the right at an angle, bend your left knee and dig the blade of the right foot into the ice to propel yourself forward. Your right skate will then come off of the ice. Swing your right foot forward and place it back down. As soon as it touches the ice, dig the inside of the left blade down and push off.

    • 6

      Repeat the process. Now that you are in motion, continue changing the foot position back and forth. Make sure to lean forward when you are accelerating. Remember your skater drills. You did them on land to simulate the motion on ice. Now actually perform the motion on ice.