new player looking for tips

[isleshockey29]

hey, im joining a recreational league this summer and im lookin for some puck handling drills, and some good skating drills to do. ive never played in a league before but have been playing with friends and i know how to skate. just some lookin for some drills to get use to handling the puck. im also going to play defense, so any tips on good positioning would be helpful too. Thanks in advance

[freddybolen]

Well, hopefully you can skate backwards somewhat efficiently. As a defenseman, you will be skating backwards as much as forwards. When you face a one-on-one situation, try to keep pushing the offensive player to the outside. This will take away his best scoring angle. In turn, it will help your goalie know where the shot will probably come from. When facing a two-on-one, most goalies prefer that the defenseman takes away the possibility of the pass. It is much easier for them to worry about one shooter than two. Ah yes, the golden rule of defense in hockey, never pass in front of your net.

[ngodavid]

yea very true if you're gonna be a defensemen you have to abosoluty learn how to skate backwards and most of the time in inlinehockey , you'll face 1 on 1 situations .

[JLambertUMSL]

Don't just assume you know how to skate. That's the biggest mistake young players make, and it's the biggest reason some players hit a wall and don't improve. Skating fundamentals are the key to every move you make on a hockey rink. Inline skates are very unforgiving.

[Alvare71]

Just skate as much as possible, forwards, bacwards, cross overs, starting and stopping. You will pick it up in no time, at least an hour a day.

[isleshockey29]

ya ive been skating alot since the first post, but not 100% confident ive got everything down. i was also wondering if these wheels are good for a hardwood surface. your opinions will be highly appreciated!

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage-HFGXW.html