Register for Learn to Skate & Learn to Play Programs this Fall

Posted on:
July 30, 2024

At Grand Strand Youth Hockey, our mission is to grow the sport of hockey in the Myrtle Beach area by offering engaging and educational programs for young athletes. That's why we're happy to announce we will offer two sets of youth skills clinics this fall.

These programs — Learn to Skate and Learn to Play — are designed for kids ages 4-8 with no prior hockey experience to start them off learning the fundamentals of hockey and skating at an early age.

Each program will take place over six weeks in one-hour sessions on Friday evenings this fall. Learn to Skate will take place in September and October, followed by Learn to Play in October and November.

The programs are designed to be fun, inclusive, and developmental, providing the perfect introduction to playing hockey in our Mites League.

Skaters may drop into any of the 12 classes at a cost of $15/session, or you may register for either six-week program for $60/player.

Full details on each program is below:

Learn to Skate Details

The Learn to Skate program is designed to teach kids the fundamentals of roller skating, with the aim of building confidence and skill for potential future participation in hockey.

Who’s it for? 

Kids ages 4-8 years old who want to learn to skate. This class is for true beginners with no prior experience skating and is designed to get them from barely being able to stand on skates to shuffling, gliding and skating around the rink. Students in this class may need the assistance of a coach or skate aid / walker to stand up and get around the rink.

Cost

Classes will be 1 hour per week for six weeks. Players may drop-in to any session ($15 per session) or for best results, sign your player up for all six weeks at a cost of $60.

Register Now!

Dates

  • Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.

What to Expect

Sessions will be adapted from USA Hockey Learn to Skate Program and administered by a small group of GSYH coaches and organizers. Here’s a rough idea of what you can expect:

  • Week 1: Basic Stance and Balance
    • Stretching and balance exercises
    • Introduction to proper stance and posture
    • Marching on ice
    • Basic gliding
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 2: Forward Movement and Stopping
    • Balance drills
    • Developing forward movement skills
    • Introduction to stopping techniques
    • Skating in a straight line with stops
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 3: Turning and Edges
    • Skating drills
    • Introduction to turning and edges
    • Practicing turns and edges in motion
    • Simple obstacle course for turning practice
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 4: Backward Skating and Advanced Stops
    • Skating drills
    • Introduction to backward skating
    • Practicing backward movement and stops
    • Combining forward and backward skating drills
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 5: Skating with Confidence
    • Skating drills
    • Free skate time with instructor guidance
    • Introduction to simple routines and games
    • Review of progress and individual guidance
  • Week 6: Graduation and Fun Skate
    • Skating drills
    • Fun games to apply skills
    • Intro to Hockey games
    • Review and encouragement for future hockey participation

Learn to Play Details

The Learn to Play Program is designed to introduce young children to the basics of hockey, including skating, puck handling, and the rules of the game, with the goal of preparing them to join the Mites League (ages 6-12). 

Who’s it for? 

Kids ages 4-8 years old who want to learn to play hockey, but either are not old enough or don’t think they are ready to play in our Mites League. This class is for beginning skaters without any experience playing hockey. Participants in this class should be able to confidently stand on their skates and shuffle or glide around the rink without the assistance of a coach or skating aid / walker.

Cost

Classes will be 1 hour per week for six weeks. Players may drop-in to any session ($15 per session) or for best results, sign your player up for all six weeks at a cost of $60.

Register Now!

Dates

  • Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 - NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)
  • Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 - 5:30-6:30 p.m.

What to Expect

Sessions will be adapted from USA Hockey Beginners Practice Plans and administered by a small group of GSYH coaches and organizers. Here’s a rough idea of what you can expect:

  • Week 1: Developing Confidence on Skates
    • Basic stance and posture
    • Balance drills and light skating
    • Stopping and turning drills
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 2: Puck Handling Basics
    • Skating drills
    • Introduction to holding a hockey stick
    • Basic puck handling techniques (stationary)
    • Moving with the puck
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 3: Passing Techniques and Drills
    • Introduction to Passing Techniques
    • Passing Accuracy Drills
    • Advanced Passing Skills
    • Small Group Passing Drills
  • Week 4: Shooting Techniques and Drills
    • Introduction to Shooting Techniques
    • Shooting Accuracy Drills
    • Advanced Shooting Skills
    • Small Group Shooting Drills
  • Week 5: Understanding the Game
    • Skating and puck handling drills
    • Introduction to basic rules and positions
    • Mini-games focusing on rules and teamwork
    • Cool down and review
  • Week 6: Scrimmage
    • Skating and puck handling drills
    • Half-rink scrimmage to apply learned skills
    • Review of progress and achievements

Ready to Sign Up?

Reserve your spot in these classes by signing up using the button below. Classes are limited to 15 participants per session. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us 843-633-3150 or e-mail info@grandstrandyouthhockey.com.

About Us

Grand Strand Youth Hockey is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to promoting the game of hockey along the Grand Strand. Our mission is to teach kids of all ages and skill levels the game of inline hockey and give them opportunities for learning, growth, camaraderie and, most of all, fun, while playing the fastest game on wheels. For more information you can contact us by clicking here or call us at (843) 633-3150.

Grand Strand Youth Hockey
‪(843) 633-3150‬
The Market Common Hockey Rink
Emmens Avenue & Crabtree Lane
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
info@grandstrandhockey.com

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