BASIC SKILLS A Partnership that Works
HOCKEY PLAYERS WORKING WITH FIGURE SKATING COACHES BY ERIN SCHOPF (EXCERPTS FROM
NHL.COM STAFF WRITER TAL PINCHEVSKY)
When people step on the ice for the fi rst time, they typ- ically have one goal in mind: learning how to skate. But the path you take on the ice isn’t defi ned at that moment. Will you become hockey player or a fi gure skater? Or will you be content to do forward crossovers at the holiday rink?
If skaters choose to become hockey players, it’s import- ant that they learn skating fundamentals through the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program. In many instances, a fi gure skating coach is the fi rst teacher a skater meets in group lessons. USA Hockey recommends those interest- ed in playing hockey enroll in one year of skating lessons prior to joining the USA Hockey Learn to Play Program. A hockey coach will develop the player by teaching the strategy of the game, while a skating coach will focus on a foundation of proper skating technique.
The Hockey 1-4 curriculum has been redesigned and is used by many Basic Skills programs across the country. The curriculum is designed to help skaters develop their interest in hockey or continue working on their skills. Many beginning skating programs off er some type of hockey instruction during group classes. Using the same format as the regular Basic 1-8 curriculum, Hockey 1-4 uses progression from level to level to learn the basic stance, edge work, starts and stops, and forward and backward skating.
Even at the professional level, NHL players work with fi g- ure skating coaches to enhance their skating skills.
San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski hired fi gure skating coach Cathy Andrade to work on stride mechanics and quick feet. In the early 1970s, Laura Stamm trained at the same rink as the New York Rangers before she was called on to train New York Islanders forward Bob Nystrom.
Back then, training with a fi gure skating coach was considered taboo so players used early morning ice time to avoid teammates. Thank- fully, this perception has changed and NHL players continue to work with fi gure skating coaches to strengthen their overall level of play.
To bridge the gap between effi cient skating and a positive experience for young players, USA Hockey has implemented the American Development Model (ADM). The goal of the ADM is to provide a building-block approach to developing athletes, thus increasing the athlete’s skill, enjoyment and profi ciency. The ADM addresses improved coaching technique
and referee development. This program in- cludes on-ice, off -ice, in-season and off season curricula for producing a well-balanced athlete.
Learning proper skating techniques allows hockey players to be more successful through- out their careers. Players at all levels should take advantage of a partnership that has prov- en to be successful over the years.
U.S. Figure Skating encourages its coaches and skating directors to work with their local hock- ey association to off er some type of addition- al skating opportunity for hockey players. A useful tool for parents, coaches and skaters is the U.S. Figure Skating Skate Coach App series. The Hockey 1-4 curriculum has been refi lmed with the new curriculum changes. Each skill is demonstrated so that the viewer is able to see what the end result should look like. The Skate Coach App series is available in the App Store and on Google Play.
The fi rst hockey puck used during outdoor pickup games in the 1800s was reportedly made of frozen cow dung.
36 DECEMBER 2014
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