By K.C. Weldon
Image Source: Pixabay
If you’re over the age of 20 you might feel like the days of picking up new hobbies and skills are behind you. The prospect of taking on an entirely new sport could seem even more daunting.
It’s actually hugely helpful to get active as an adult, both for your physical health and mental wellbeing. And with the excitement of ice hockey on the cards, you could ignite a passion for a sport that you’ve never even tried out before.
So what’s the best way to start playing hockey as an adult? Here are few tips that will set you on the path to a new you.
Get the Right Kit
Hockey is obviously a little different to other sports in that it requires a few key bits of equipment for you to get out on the ice in the first place. How long should a hockey stick be is one of the first things you’ll want to make sure to find out before hitting the ice.
Even if you are just planning to play casually with friends, you’ll need skates, protective clothing and a helmet. You should also invest in a Sparx skate sharpener so that it’s simple to keep your blades in top condition.
You might not be willing to make this kind of financial commitment up front, in which case it could be best to hire out the necessary gear for your first few visits to your local rink so you can decide whether or not this is the sport for you.
Find a Beginners Class
Not everyone will have experience of ice skating, let alone taking a stick and a puck out with them to smack about. So rather than being outpaced and outclassed by players who have been fans of hockey since childhood, it makes sense to get together with other newcomers.
Search online or ask for info at your nearest rink to find out if there are classes offered for beginners that you can attend to learn the ropes in a safe, supportive environment. Then when you are steadier on your feet and your confidence has grown, you can take the training wheels off, figuratively speaking.
Keep Practicing
Kids seem to pick things up pretty quickly, while adults tend to struggle a little more when learning fresh skills. In reality, this is all down to motivation and practice, almost in equal measure.
The more time you spend on the ice, the better you will become when you play hockey in a competitive setting.
It might not be practical to actually get down to the rink and slap on the skates regularly, but there are other things you can do to train effectively. For example, you can get better at balancing by using roller blades to replicate the feel of skates, so consider adopting them as a means of commuting.
Make it Social
Playing hockey will seem like a chore if you are a first timer and you don’t really have anyone to play with. Making it fun is easy if you turn it into a social activity, so you can either convince current friends to get involved, or make new pals down at the rink.
In an age of social media, it is simple to connect with people who have similar interests to you. So if you are looking to get involved in your local ice hockey scene, the most straightforward way to do so could be online.
If you do not fall in love with hockey immediately, give it time to take root and grow as a passion inside you. Millions of adults still play, and lots of people take it up every day, so you can follow in their footsteps.