Ice Hockey Skating Techniques

Become a Faster, More Agile Skater

Ask any coach which skill matters most and most will say skating. Players who skate efficiently arrive first to loose pucks, recover on defense, create space with the puck and have more energy late in shifts. The good news is that skating technique can be learned and improved at any age.

This hub breaks skating into its building blocks: posture, the forward stride, stopping, turning, skating backward and transitioning between directions. Each guide explains the mechanics, the most common mistakes and practical drills you can use on the ice or at home. If you have a medical condition or are returning from injury, check with a qualified professional before starting new training.

What You’ll Learn in This Hub

• Forward stride fundamentals for more speed
• How to stop, from snowplow to the two-foot hockey stop
• Backward skating with C-cuts and the backward stride
• Crossovers for turning and accelerating
• Tight turns and edge work
• Mohawk turns and open-hip skating
• Explosive acceleration in the first three steps
• The athletic skating stance: knee bend, balance and posture
• Forward-to-backward pivots and transitions
• Off-ice skating training with slide boards and drills

Related reading: pair your skating work with the strength and mobility guides in Hockey Training and Fitness, and make sure your skates fit and are sharpened correctly with Ice Hockey Skates and Accessories.