Synthetic Ice Helps For Hockey Tryouts

Copyright (c) 2010 Tim OldfieldIt's that time of year where hockey parents are stressing over what team their kid will make

. I must confess my little secret, and that has been to install a synthetic ice surface in my garage. I can't begin to tell you what a difference it has made (both to my children's development, and my stress levels!).We have a 16 foot x 26 foot synthetic rink set up for year round use whenever the kids feel like training, which is usually 3-4 times per week. With tryouts quickly approaching, they will practice more often. They find it a great tool to practice tight turns, pivots, quick feet, stick handling, and of course shooting and accuracy.Our association runs a series of skills stations for the initial few tryout sessions and the results of those sessions are used to sort out the next groupings. Because my kids have always practiced their skills so much at home they usually manage to stay in the top groups which eventually turn into the A, AA, or AAA teams. Also because they are practicing skills ahead of the tryouts with their skates on they go into these sessions feeling confident about their chances. Tryouts for any team sport are stressful enough as it is, and it's nice to see them feeling good about their performance when the time comes.My oldest who is now 16, clawed his way up the ranks and eventually played Midget AAA. But he worked very hard to get to that level. Back in the day he played house league in both years as an Atom player. It wasn't really until he began to practice a lot more at home on the synthetic ice that he really came on. His shot improved dramatically, and so did his small area skills. My daughter is now 12 and she plays boys hockey and has made AAA and AA teams along the way, competing against the best boys her age. I know she will be out in the garage again tonight, on her own, getting ready for her tryouts. She has a series of drills she will practice, and I don't even help her anymore. She'll go there and play her favourite music and go about her 20-30 minute training session.Before my kids leave the house for a tryout or even a practice they will head out to the garage and take 50 shots or so just to warm up. It gives them a certain confidence once they hit the real ice.Having a pad of synthetic ice at home is hard to beat as a low maintenance hockey training tool. As a hockey parent it may be the best investment you ever make in your child's development.

Synthetic Ice Helps For Hockey Tryouts

By: Tim Oldfield

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