getting my kids into hockey - skating first, or just dive in? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bend it like Bourgeois · 07-26-2009, 11:49 AM

How well should my 5 year old skate before I put him in hockey?

He wants to play, has skated a few times, but thats about it. I think he's better off in skating first, then hockey. My wife figures he'll learn better as part of playing. She might be right, I just don't want him frustrated and having no fun because he can't skate.

Any opinions or experiences form the CP parents?

tanguay'sstillgood · 07-26-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

How well should my 5 year old skate before I put him in hockey?

He wants to play, has skated a few times, but thats about it. I think he's better off in skating first, then hockey. My wife figures he'll learn better as part of playing. She might be right, I just don't want him frustrated and having no fun because he can't skate.

Any opinions or experiences form the CP parents?

Kids that young in an organized hockey system will spend a lot of time working on skating, and depending on the coaches, they should have fun doing this and have it relate to hockey. I would say if he wants to play, let him. But also, if you can, find some power skating or something like that he can take as well. It's hard to believe he will become a better hockey player or like the game more if he isnt playing it. He wont be the only 5 year old that has trouble skating, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Bobblehead · 07-26-2009, 02:12 PM

I say let him play.

From what I recall of mite hockey, 90% of the kids can't skate so I doubt he'll be left out. It'll help him meet other kids and start feeling more involved.

Traditional_Ale · 07-26-2009, 03:04 PM

Unless he has a fundamental grasps of the complexities of defensive systems by now you have failed miserably as a hockey parent.

Azure · 07-26-2009, 03:36 PM

Let him play.

The majority of the kids at that level can't skate anyways. And its more fun to learn by playing hockey anyways.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 07-26-2009, 03:40 PM

Cool, thanks all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

i don;t understand what ou are asking though, just go get some skates and go to some public ice time, wrap a scarf under the underarms and hold them up, see what they like. If they like the stick, then give them the stick, it makes it a little more fun. He is starting in the fall with trailswest before being three.

Done the scarf thing a few times. He made me ditch it almost right away and just sorta wobbled along on his own. I'm more asking whether I should wait til he can skate closer to your kid before putting him in hockey. Sounds like the answer is no.

snappyk · 07-26-2009, 04:12 PM

5-6 year olds are in Timbits which is all skill development where they learn the basics of skating and puck control and are only supposed to play 4 games in their first year. As for putting your kid in skating first, I wouldn't, I have coached for the past 4 years and do quite a bit at that level and we can usually have the kids really flying by christmas time, it's really cool to watch them develop their skills that fast. They have just changed Novice this year to a developmental system, not much has really changed except for the start of the season. The kids used to come in from summer and go straight into evaluations but now instead in novice, there is going to be skill development for the first month to let all the kids get their legs back and have a fair shot at making their teams instead of having the kid who didn't play all summer get put on a lower team and then by December is scoring 10 goals a game.

Sample00 · 07-26-2009, 05:26 PM

i started coaching my son in his first year of initiation hockey at age 5. didnt skate a lick. in fact, 12 out of the 18 kids I had didnt skate. By Christmas, not only were they skating but getting up after falling down and starting to do the stop thing.
sign him and let him go, I say.

Hanna Sniper · 07-26-2009, 06:12 PM

I've helped coach with my brother now for a 5 years, a 11 teams in total from Tyke to entering Peewee this fall

Put him in hockey and have a blast, don't worry about anything and focus on having fun (seriously). Like everyone has said before there's a huge jump in skill level shortly after christmas where a lot of the newer players make up some of the gap as they are now getting comfortable with the game.

Any extra practise that you child can receive can have huge benefits. And use this season as an introduction to have fun and making new friends. Come next year with a year of experience behind him you'll be amazed.

But like I said, and I know it's always said but you'll never believe how many parents don't allow it.... Just have fun, and with a fun environment you child with blossom.

Take extra skating lessons is a huge plus. I ran into one parent once and he put it this way. If you child wants to learn to play an instrument and only practised it once every week for an hour it'll take a long time till they get a hang of it. 5 years is a great age, they catch on quick, enjoy

Edited: I was still getting kids that have never been on skates while I coached minor and major atom. If fact a child that I coached in minor atom (first time on skates) was taken off my team the following year during equalization to help a team that needed it

Ice · 07-26-2009, 06:42 PM

I agree with everyone who says to sign him up for hockey. At his age, he won't be the only kid who hasn't skated. It'll be good for him to have peers who can skate and try to do what they do. He's going to learn to skate by being on the ice anyway, so he may as well play hockey. Its way more fun than skating lessons.

North East Goon · 07-27-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

I started the kid skating at 2. He could barely stand on them the first year (only went a handful of times) but the next year he just automatically started skating, skates like a mutha now. We took him to some city run skating classes that helped, he got bumped to the 5 and 6 year old class right away (yes I am bragging), his hardest part was that when they played Big Bad Wolf he started skting franticall away crying thinking there was actually a big bad wolf, took him a few classes for him to get over that and go back on the ice.

i don;t understand what ou are asking though, just go get some skates and go to some public ice time, wrap a scarf under the underarms and hold them up, see what they like. If they like the stick, then give them the stick, it makes it a little more fun. He is starting in the fall with trailswest before being three.

Too bad his nhl career is already shot since his genetics limit him the be 5 foot fata-all in height.

do the kids have to be specially approved to enter hockey at a younger age like your son? My kids 2, is taller than many 5 year olds and pretty solid on his feet but hasnt skated much, he turns 3 in September.

edn88 · 07-27-2009, 08:32 AM

I certainly remember being able to skate before I played hockey, and it really helped.

Getting them used to being on ice without a stick for a crutch and learning the fundamentals of skating will only help his hockey playing. I suppose the analogy would be getting your kid to play soccer without knowing how to walk/run (bit of an over statement).

However, if he really wants to play hockey right now, then let him go to it.

Buff · 07-27-2009, 08:40 AM

I started playing hockey when I was eight. I don't think I was on skates very much before that. Me and my friend both wanted to play so our parents bought us skates, took us out a couple of times, and we were both able to pick up skating really quickly, so they registered us, bought us our gear and away we went. After my first year we took power skating lessons and it helped me out... that was merely 26 years ago.

Sample00 · 07-27-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

I think it depends on the community, trails west has a program for that young, but the other organization that we are within the boundary of starts a year later.

Just reading through the bullsh*t on the website makes me think I and the kid will be sick of all politics at some point and will probably quit. There's a 15 page document on the process for "making the team".

as a former president of a minor hockey association, you have absolutely no idea the politics that are involved. Its too a point of sickening.
I tried changing the culture..its road block after road block.
I did it for 2 years and then sat as a past president for a year. Its much easier just to be a coach and even that has its moments.

we are in a society where most parents, up to the age of Peewee kids in hockey, feel or I should say firmly believe, their kids will be NHL'ers. And I'm not kidding. I had parents tell me at first year Atom that kids should be allowed to demonstrate their slap shots so they can make a higher caliber team. SLAP SHOTS???? give me a friggin break. Have the kid show me that he can master his skating abilities at that age and we'll talk.

I swear, they should have a rule that has the parents drop their kids off at the arena and then not be allowed back until practice or the game is over.

Sample00 · 07-27-2009, 09:19 AM

I really hate to regurgitate this old thread but for those of you entering the minor hockey system....you might want to have a read on how my son got handled one year.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...r+hockey+coach

I am not suggesting that you do not put your child into hockey but I will forewarn you, its not for the faint at heart. You will experience frustrations and elations but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember its about your child and not you!

In MOST cases and I say 99% of all minor hockey players, learning to play the game is about social interaction, team building and teaching the children a life long skill.

I told my son many many times, I DO NOT CARE IF YOU MAKE IT BIG in hockey. I want you to be able to go to school and take your equipment with you and if you want to meet some people, go play some shinny/intramural hockey. You'll meet people with like minded interests and you'll have some fun and get some exercise, sans beer afterwards.
That is what i truly wish for my son now and in most cases, teams can always use a goalie when playing shinny.

Hanna Sniper · 07-27-2009, 11:14 AM

Don't let politics stop you, in fact don't even let it bother or stick to you because if you do it'll just bring you down. It's one of those things that all the good people (volunteers) are eventually flushed out of minor hockey because they end up throwing their arms up and surrender.

We need more good people that want to keep minor hockey for the kids and the only way that can happen is if the good people stay strong and keep the kids first. Loosing someone like Sample00 will hurt our leagues.

The easiest way to to not get involved with the politics is just don't get involved with the gossip... and just have fun with your child. If you're upset with a coach or anything then just forget about it and next year volunteer your time to the league because we can use all the good people we can.

Any "bad' moments I've had being involved with minor hockey is very minor to all the great moments.

troutman · 07-27-2009, 02:51 PM

I have a 5 and 7 year old. I was surprised to see that reg'n fees are about $1000.

Is Timbits good for a 5 year old? How often do kids play? I think one practice and one game per week would be enough for my boys.

http://www.westhillhurst.com/onlineregistration.htm

Jason14h · 07-27-2009, 02:54 PM

Make sure he understands how to play the trap before enrolling him!

Hanna Sniper · 07-27-2009, 04:27 PM

Wow, you guys pay a lot for minor hockey. My association cost $450 (house league) and +$480 (rep) and we are one of the highest in that Hamilton Wentworth area...

I'll be curious how much ice time your Timbits are getting as well

Sample00 · 07-27-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

Wow, you guys pay a lot for minor hockey. My association cost $450 (house league) and +$480 (rep) and we are one of the highest in that Hamilton Wentworth area...

I'll be curious how much ice time your Timbits are getting as well

my son plays PeeWee rep and I think we paid $500.00 for the year.