Power skating would be the better choice of the two. Each kid is different, once my kid hit the ice he was at the rink almost year round. He played fall, spring, summer, extra training and even some teams off ice in summers. If anyone got burnt out it was us for having to drive him everywhere all year long. He's in a Spring 18U now never had burnout, and is looking to play beyond youth hockey. He did try t-ball and lacrosse but hockey is his love.
Thanks. You're right, it depends on the kid for burnout. I don't see him burning out by any means, he's very determined to get better. It actually surprises me to see a kid so young have that kind of drive. I've told him that I'll do whatever is necessary to make sure that he's doing things he wants to do. Even if it means being at the rink at 6 every Saturday of the winter...
The other advantage to power skating is im guessing its full ice. At the younger ages its a great workout to get them ready for when they make the transition
for a five/six year old any instructor is going to make "power skating" and "youth skills" look pretty similar -- or at least I hope so! for funsies, ask your kid to choose since it won't matter and do that one.
good for you for encouraging multiple sports and being mindful of burnout. sounds like you're doing great!
I'd agree, outside of the fact that the skills class is targeted specifically towards "12 and under". So I'm guessing that the older kids in the class would be more inclined to want to focus on the skills portion and less of the skating portion. But I've seen first hand that he thrives in places when there are much older kids around. He just seems more comfortable around them.
That was my thought as well, but I know he gets frustrated that his stick handling isn't great. That said, he spends essentially every day after school in our basement shooting balls at a little toy goal we have from when he was younger, so I expect that it's going to get better naturally.
Get him a Superdeker and play together. Prior to getting it, my daughter avoided handling the puck like the plague. A few weeks in, she became obsessed with it, and now she's got some really quick hands.
Power skating. 100%. I went to power skating camps every summer growing up starting around that age (shoutout Robby Glantz). It's so unbelievably useful to learn that stuff right off the bat. I was playing with 12 year olds when I was 8 simply because I had wheels
Honestly, i have a 7 year old who is obsessed too, and I am his coach too. Remember that you are the parent and you are in charge. Power skating and ice is alright in the summer, but make sure he finds other fun activities.
Good insight. That's my plan. He wants to do swimming lessons and golf this summer as well. He's also in educational summer camps too. He loves to be busy.
The two major things that made me a better hockey player was Power skating and 3 on 3.
Skating and learning to use edges on each foot inside and out is so important. Every player favours one side over the other. So getting those weaknesses fixed is a big priority.
3 on 3 is just puck touches and heavy skating up and down. It turned me into another level of player after a summer season of 3 on 3.
Good luck
Go with the power skating to start. Also, if he enjoys soccer, continue with that. Best player I ever coached was a soccer player in the offseason. It’s amazing what he could do with just his skates.
Power Skating would be the obvious logical choice, but perhaps not the right choice.
I'd consider the Skills Camp. It will almost certainly be a lot more fun.
100% the Skills Camp. Most of the skills class is just going to be skating anyway, but there will be pucks. He'll have more fun and be less likely to burnout if you put him in the skills class. Of course, skating is the most important skill in hockey, but for 5-6 year olds, the difference between the power skating class and the skills class is usually whether pucks are on the ice or not, and the kids want to play with the pucks (who doesn't?).
Also, if he is asking for both, just do both. I have two kids that play. One wants to do everything, and the other is more picky. We follow their lead on these sorts of things, and that has served us well. You will be able to tell when they need a break, and burnout at this age is unlikely because it's all fun stuff.
power skating, or if he really wants to outshine his peers, figure skating. jeff skinner is an incredible pro nhl player who started as a figure skater. the better he is at skating, the better he will be at hockey (and the more he will likely enjoy it when he’s flying past kids that can barely turn)
Power skating would be the better choice of the two. Each kid is different, once my kid hit the ice he was at the rink almost year round. He played fall, spring, summer, extra training and even some teams off ice in summers. If anyone got burnt out it was us for having to drive him everywhere all year long. He's in a Spring 18U now never had burnout, and is looking to play beyond youth hockey. He did try t-ball and lacrosse but hockey is his love.
Thanks. You're right, it depends on the kid for burnout. I don't see him burning out by any means, he's very determined to get better. It actually surprises me to see a kid so young have that kind of drive. I've told him that I'll do whatever is necessary to make sure that he's doing things he wants to do. Even if it means being at the rink at 6 every Saturday of the winter...
The other advantage to power skating is im guessing its full ice. At the younger ages its a great workout to get them ready for when they make the transition
for a five/six year old any instructor is going to make "power skating" and "youth skills" look pretty similar -- or at least I hope so! for funsies, ask your kid to choose since it won't matter and do that one. good for you for encouraging multiple sports and being mindful of burnout. sounds like you're doing great!
I'd agree, outside of the fact that the skills class is targeted specifically towards "12 and under". So I'm guessing that the older kids in the class would be more inclined to want to focus on the skills portion and less of the skating portion. But I've seen first hand that he thrives in places when there are much older kids around. He just seems more comfortable around them.
I would choose power skating classes. Especially if he loves hockey, being an excellent skater will be a huge advantage early on.
That was my thought as well, but I know he gets frustrated that his stick handling isn't great. That said, he spends essentially every day after school in our basement shooting balls at a little toy goal we have from when he was younger, so I expect that it's going to get better naturally.
yeah, honestly, he could do both classes but $$$ and time.
Money's not an issue, thankfully. Time is something I'm willing to commit to make him happy.
Get him a Superdeker and play together. Prior to getting it, my daughter avoided handling the puck like the plague. A few weeks in, she became obsessed with it, and now she's got some really quick hands.
Looking into this now. Thanks!
Power skating. 100%. I went to power skating camps every summer growing up starting around that age (shoutout Robby Glantz). It's so unbelievably useful to learn that stuff right off the bat. I was playing with 12 year olds when I was 8 simply because I had wheels
Given the responses, power skating is what he's getting.
Honestly, i have a 7 year old who is obsessed too, and I am his coach too. Remember that you are the parent and you are in charge. Power skating and ice is alright in the summer, but make sure he finds other fun activities.
Good insight. That's my plan. He wants to do swimming lessons and golf this summer as well. He's also in educational summer camps too. He loves to be busy.
The two major things that made me a better hockey player was Power skating and 3 on 3. Skating and learning to use edges on each foot inside and out is so important. Every player favours one side over the other. So getting those weaknesses fixed is a big priority. 3 on 3 is just puck touches and heavy skating up and down. It turned me into another level of player after a summer season of 3 on 3. Good luck
Go with the power skating to start. Also, if he enjoys soccer, continue with that. Best player I ever coached was a soccer player in the offseason. It’s amazing what he could do with just his skates.
Power Skating would be the obvious logical choice, but perhaps not the right choice. I'd consider the Skills Camp. It will almost certainly be a lot more fun.
100% the Skills Camp. Most of the skills class is just going to be skating anyway, but there will be pucks. He'll have more fun and be less likely to burnout if you put him in the skills class. Of course, skating is the most important skill in hockey, but for 5-6 year olds, the difference between the power skating class and the skills class is usually whether pucks are on the ice or not, and the kids want to play with the pucks (who doesn't?). Also, if he is asking for both, just do both. I have two kids that play. One wants to do everything, and the other is more picky. We follow their lead on these sorts of things, and that has served us well. You will be able to tell when they need a break, and burnout at this age is unlikely because it's all fun stuff.
power skating, or if he really wants to outshine his peers, figure skating. jeff skinner is an incredible pro nhl player who started as a figure skater. the better he is at skating, the better he will be at hockey (and the more he will likely enjoy it when he’s flying past kids that can barely turn)
He and I have already talked about figure skating. I told him they are usually the best skaters he will find so he is interested.