How old is too old? The age-old question we often ask ourselves when starting something new. How do I start hockey at 40?
To start hockey at 40, you will need equipment, physical training, and a willingness to learn something new! Starting hockey at this age can be intimidating, but it can be done. There are plenty of tools to equip you to get on the ice and play recreational hockey.
What Tools Do I Need to Start Hockey at 40?
When starting hockey at 40, first you need to have an honest check with yourself and make sure your body is in the shape to take on the ice rink. No, you do not need to be in the best shape of your life, but if this is the first physical sport you have played in years, you need to ease into it. You know your body and it’s tolerance for physical activity. Take it slow.
Let’s talk about skills. Do you need to be the fastest player on the ice? No, not at all. You should know how to skate and be confident in staying on your feet, turning directions quickly, and stopping on command. Basic stick handling and how to shoot would be skills I would recommend having in the tool belt.
The last item I would add is the game strategy. Do not worry about plays, focus on how the game is played. Watch how NHL players use the boards to move the puck to their teammates. Observe how they get the puck out of their defensive zone without icing. Usually, it is to a teammate breaking towards the middle of the ice or flipping the puck towards the middle of the ice so the momentum of the puck carries it forward, but not so much as it causes an icing.
Euipment is another tool that is essential. We will dive more into what is needed in detailed, later, but the only thing I will add here is it’s not as much equipment as you think. Before you go google how much everything costs, know that in rec leagues there is less equipment required. I am not recommending less equipment, just stating not as much is required.
The last tool and most important is a passion for the game. “You got to want it,” as they say. Have someone close to you commit they will see to it that you complete your goal of joining a league. You will not regret it. There are many ways to watch games today. YouTube, streaming TV, social media, etc. are all ways to learn about the game.
Skills to Develop as an Adult
I have written many times on skills needed to play at the highest level. Those skills are the same for any age or league, but the motivation is different for different ages. For adults, I would use rec games to get better. There are plenty of videos to watch to get better and gain insight as to watch to expect as a first-timer stepping on the ice. This video created by the Hockey Tutorial YouTube channel is a great use of time to learn.
In list form, here are things I would focus on as it relates to skills on the ice. Some leagues have rules around how you can shoot, so check the handbook before playing.
- Skating technique- make sure your stride is long
- Speed on skates- quick foot and arm motions
- Stick handling- know where your stick goes without the puck
- Puck handling- most efficient while skating and handling the puck
- Hand-eye coordination- helps in the overall development of the player
- Shooting- do drills on shooting accuracy
- Slapshot- reflexes and shot placement
- Passing- where the player is going to be
- Stopping/Starting- quick movements on the ice
- Grit- outwork everyone on the ice
If you do not know how to skate, you can still meet your goal of playing rec hockey. Many rinks offer skating classes. Whether you have never skated before or need to build on the skills you have, they will help you get better. This is important because it is the foundation of the game. If you cannot skate, you cannot score or defend. Watch videos on the form of skating, then attend a local class. It is fun to learn!
Equipment Needed to Play
When looking at a hockey player, you can tell they are loaded down with pads. Skates, a helmet, a stick, shin and elbow pads, and a mouth guard is all you need to get the job done. Do not worry, it is not going to cost you your whole paycheck. Search around on eBay or Facebook for some hockey gear. I would caution used gear, as bacteria can get buried deep into pads. Wash deeply before you wear used gear.
To find recommend equipment, you can check out our equipment guide. Check your league’s rules, but most times a neck guard and shoulder pads are not required, because they are not considered “checking leagues.” I error on the side of more caution, so I wear shoulder pads just in case I run into the boards or fall. Shoulder pads do make shooting feel a little different, so borrow some pads before buying.
I wrote an article on why hockey equipment smells so bad, but let me say this: do your research on cleaning hockey gear. It is known for smelling terrible and carrying bacteria, so washing properly is essential. I do not want you to have to throw out equipment.
Develop a Passion for the Game
We all know someone (it might be us) that have gone through a midlife crisis- that might be why you searched this topic. Like anything else, if you do not have a passion or accountability to stick with the goal of getting on the ice and playing competitively, your chances off success are not very good. Kids start being more independent around this time and are off to college in a few years. Great time to start!
When reading through testimonies of why people start playing hockey as an adult, a few themes stick out among most of them. You hear a lot of people talking about how they never played the game growing up but their son or daughter plays and they grew to the love the game. Now they want to give it a shot for themselves. Other stories include people wanting to pick up a team sport with their friends, and they decided on hockey.
It is easy to develop a keen appreciation for the game of hockey. People that are not fans of the game talk about how boring it is to watch on television or how they cannot follow the puck around the rink so it’s not interesting to them. The key that I have found successful in converting anyone to enjoy the sport is taking them to a live NHL game. If you need motivation to enhance your passion of for the game, attend a live game.
Join a League
This is the last step in the process to reaching your goal of playing hockey at the age of 40. There are many places to join a league around your town. You will find that most rinks host a league throughout the year with varying degrees of skill level. We want to start at the beginners league and work our way up.
To make sure you are ready to play, have a few things checked off. You know how to skate, you have the right equipment, and know the basic rules. If you join a beginners league as recommended, the players and refs are great about teaching novice players the game. Hockey is a tight-knit community!
If you really want to make it fun, join a local beer league. These leagues are just like the name communicates. A bunch of people that love hockey, know the rules of the game, and just want to have fun. This type of hockey is becoming increasingly popular among adults. Sometimes local bars or restaurants will sponsor these teams, providing jerseys, paying league fees, and yes, even providing you with a beer.