Learn to Play FAQs

Skatetown’s 23-week Learn to Play hockey program, for men and women, is designed to prepare NEW players, with little or no hockey experience, to play in the Bronze B (novice only) hockey league.

Basic skating skills are required. It is recommended that a player with no prior skating experience take a class through Skatetown’s Learn to Skate program before enrolling in this class. As an option, you can improve your skating skills by attending a Public Session or Stick Time.

Players are required to wear full gear. A Skatetown jersey will be included and must be picked up the first day of class. Skatetown’s ProShop has put together a special package price that includes all the equipment you will need. Stop by our ProShop for more information

 

  • Weeks 1-2: Skating
  • Weeks 3-4: Skating and puck handling
  • Weeks 5-7: Skating, puck handling and passing
  • Weeks 8-9: Puck handling, passing and shooting
  • Weeks 10-13: Shooting and situational play such as 1 on 1 with explanations of the specifics
  • Weeks 14-18: Game scenarios
  • Weeks 19-20: Controlled scrimmage (stopping the play to point out where players should be positioned)
  • Weeks 21-23: Team play, tactics and strategy

 

If a player cannot make a class, the player is responsible for the material covered in that class. You may get the class curriculum from the instructor and attend a stick time or public session for extra practice, or schedule a private lesson with your instructor to get caught up.

Jeff Eastburn is our highly sought after Adult Learn to Play Hockey coach and has been involved with Skatetown since its doors opened in December 1997. Jeff will be joined by several other assistant coaches on the ice to make sure you get enough specialized attention when going through the class

After successfully completing the 23-week Adult Learn to Play Hockey class, you are on your way to competing in our entry level Adult Hockey League! You may either form your own team or join one of our existing teams.

In Person Mon - Fri 5:30 am - 9:00 pm, Sat 6:30 am - 10:00pm & Sun 10:00am - 5:00pm

On this page select the class you are interested in (Registrations processed on first come, first served basis. Sorry, no registrations by phone)

 

Our Learn to Play Hockey program is based on the USA Hockey curriculum and guidelines. USA Hockey is the national governing board of hockey in the US and has been proven successful all over the nation. It is a stair-stepped learning program, where each skill builds to another, making mastery of these skills easily attainable. (USA Hockey registration is not required)

All 13-week students receive:

  • One 75-minute class each week (13 classes)
  • Use of rental skates & sticks
  • A ProShop discount of 10% off any hockey skate costing $50 or more
  • CLICK HERE for current class fee
  • Skatetown added bonus: The USA Hockey program is based on a 60-minute class. Skatetown also added an EXTRA bonus, adding another 15 minutes to these classes for an extra “Pond Hockey” session. This gives students the opportunity to go out and enjoy the game the very first day of class and a chance at scoring a goal, too!

NOTE: Full equipment including shin pads, hockey pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, helmet and gloves are required for Hockey 1*, 2, 3 and 4 classes. Skates and sticks are available. *25% discount for gear purchases for Hockey 1.

Hockey 1: This class is geared for new players, 8 or older.

Hockey 2, 3, & 4 are a stepped learning program designed to master the skills needed to play hockey.

  • Clothing: It is best to wear warm-up windbreaker type of fabric/pant for hockey players who are not in full gear. Avoid jeans or baggy clothing. tight-fitting clothing made of fabric that stretches (spandex or cotton) and try to avoid jeans or baggy clothing.
  • Arrive early. The first day of class can be hectic.
  • Check in at the cashier’s window to make sure all your paperwork is in order and to pick up your skate rental vouchers
  • Go to the skate rental counter and tell the teammate your shoe size
  • Take the skates and sit on a bench to put them on. Your toes should touch the front of your skates. Make sure the skates are snugly tied.
  • Go to the barrel of helmets and select a helmet - Make sure it fits snugly
  • Go to the barrel of sticks and select a stick
  • Check the sign at the rink entrance to determine where your class will be located on the ice
  • Hockey 1 and 4-week classes will meet their instructor in the front lobby before entering the ice

Your child will receive a progress report during weeks 4, 8 and 12. The progress report at week 12 will include a recommendation by the instructor for which class to sign up for next. In addition to report cards, during the 5th, 8th, and 11th week of class, Skatetown offers Sticker Testing as a way for students to measure their progress. Players will receive a dog tag for their corresponding class and when they demonstrate an understanding of a new skill, they are given a sticker for their tag.

Our Hockey classes are based on “progressive learning” (one skill leads into another skill). Since all our hockey classes are on Sundays, we have no make-up classes. A short, private lesson with your own instructor is always the best way to cover the missed material.

Rental Skates are included with your child’s class fees and are appropriate for beginning players. As players progress, they may benefit from the comfort, support and consistency of their own skates. Many times we hear that some players progress much faster in their own skates.

The more time you spend on the ice, the better you will get. Practice the skills you learn in class. Even playing the public session games helps improve skills. Players who come to a public session or stick time, in addition to their weekly class, progress much faster than those who only come to their weekly class.

Keep in mind that without additional practice time, the skills will be difficult to master in just one 13-week session. There is often just too much to cover. Do your best and work at your own pace. Many players decide to repeat classes so that they fully master the skills.

USA Hockey intended that players take two years to master the skills so they are fully prepared to join a hockey league. We have condensed the USAH curriculum into one year and 4 classes (Hockey 1, 2, 3 and 4). In order to be ready to play in a league after one year of classes, you must do extra practicing during stick time or public sessions.

The best time to speak with your instructor is before or after class or during Pond Hockey time at the end of each class. You may also contact the Hockey Director at (916) 783-8550 ext. 114 with your questions, comments or concerns.

Playing hockey