Common Skating Mistakes Beginners Make in Hockey

Skating is the foundation of hockey. If you struggle on the ice, everything else—passing, shooting, positioning—becomes harder. Beginners often make small mistakes that slow progress and increase the risk of injury. Fixing these early will make learning the game faster and more enjoyable.

1. Skipping Skating Lessons

Mistake: Jumping straight to shooting and passing without building basic skating skills.

Why it matters: Skating is about 90% of hockey. Without proper fundamentals, you’ll struggle to move efficiently, stop, or follow plays.

Fix: Take any opportunity to get on the ice, even for short sessions. Sign up for Learn to Skate programs and practice basic strides, turns, and stops regularly. Solid skating foundations make everything else easier.

2. Not Learning How to Fall

Mistake: Panicking and falling awkwardly, risking injury.

Why it matters: Falling is inevitable in hockey. Falling incorrectly can cause wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries.

Fix: Practice safe falling techniques: tuck your arms in, land on your side or rear, and avoid using hands or wrists to break the fall. Start on empty ice to build confidence. Knowing how to fall safely prevents injuries and boosts confidence.

3. Ignoring Skating Technique

Mistake: Leaning wrong, skating too upright, or trying to go too fast too soon.

Why it matters: Poor form reduces efficiency, speed, and balance, making turns, stops, and starts harder.

Fix: Focus on proper balance, stride length, and stopping technique first. Once comfortable, gradually add speed, crossovers, and more advanced maneuvers. Mastering fundamentals is key—remember, skating well = 90% of hockey.

4. Not Practicing Backward Skating

Mistake: Only skating forward and ignoring backward movement.

Why it matters: Defense requires backward skating. Not being able to move backward limits positioning, reaction time, and overall game awareness.

Fix: Learn to skate backward early. Start slow, maintain balance, and focus on smooth, controlled strides. Backward skating will become second nature over time.

5. Stiff Knees / Upright Posture

Mistake: Standing too tall and not bending knees enough.

Why it matters: Upright posture reduces stability, makes stops and turns harder, and decreases speed and agility.

Fix: Keep knees bent and your body low in an athletic stance. This improves balance, speed, agility, and overall control on the ice. Proper stance also protects against falls and collisions.

6. Overlooking Edge Control

Mistake: Skating only on the flat part of the blade.

Why it matters: Edges are essential for quick turns, controlled stops, and sudden changes of direction. Beginners often miss this and struggle with agility.

Fix: Practice inside and outside edge drills. Learn to feel your edges while skating, turning, and stopping. Edge control gives you greater stability, efficiency, and confidence on the ice.