Lace up for hockey camp by Steve Serdachny 03/27/2004 - Believe it or not another hockey season is over and spring is here. By now you have chosen and are ready to register for a hockey or power skating school. This in itself can be a tough task, so choose wisely. Once this tough decision-making process is completed, you must take the next step: preparing for the school. What to Consider Players bodies grow quickly. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen parents trying to put equipment on their children that fit perfectly at the end of last season, but five months later does not fit at all. It is critical that you check your player's equipment prior to attending camp after a break. Proper fitting equipment is not only critical for high performance but more importantly for safety. If you are not comfortable checking this yourself, you can ask your local retailer who will be more than happy to help you. What to buy It amazes me how parents have no problem dishing out $350 for one-piece hockey sticks but then buy the cheapest protective equipment and helmet. It's important to prioritize when choosing equipment. Choose the best quality protective gear that fits within your budget. Properly fitted skates are the most important piece of equipment. They are foundation of a great player. Skates It is a tough job for parents to replace skates on an annual basis and in some cases even more often. It is very important when buying new skates to buy for now and not the "two-years-growing-into-them" plan. Needless to say, new skates and the first day of camp are not always the best combination. Not only will the player experience discomfort, they will not be familiar with performance aspects of the new skate. A proper skate that fits does not need to be new. There is often a great selection of used skates that will serve just as well. Sharpening It is important that your player's skates are sharpened and ready with new laces at the start of the camp. A skate can quickly lose its edge in storage. New laces will ensure players have no difficulty doing them up. I use and recommend wax laces. They are by far superior to lace up. Never tape or wrap laces around a player's ankle. This will restrict their range of motion and ability to develop strong skating skills. Breaking in new Skates It is critical that players wear their skates prior to their first ice session. Try and get on the ice at public skating or wear them around the house with skate guards on. The more you get your feet into them the better it will be. Many professional dealers can help by heating the skates and taking the pressure points away. Blisters Blisters are a fact of life with new skates. Wear a thin sock that does not bunch up and causes any sort of friction. There is an amazing product by Band-Aid called Compeed that will allow you to skate without pain even with a blister. You can find it at any drug store. It is a must for summer hockey school and should be in every player's bag. What's in a Name? Equipment is very expensive so it's important to take care of it. Ensure that all your player's equipment is labeled with your name and phone number so if it mysteriously goes missing you might have a chance to recover it. It also acts as a deterrent to theft. Water Ensure you have a water bottle when attending camp. Proper hydration is key to high performance and good health. It's a good idea to have your own with your name on it. Pack your own bag There is nothing worse than forgetting a piece of equipment. Take a tip from trainers in the NHL. Get you player in the habit of packing their hockey bag the same way every time. A great tip about taking care of your skates is to pack them into the pants for extra protection. If you follow these guidelines your hockey school experience will be great. Come prepared to train and have fun. Have a fantastic spring and summer. See you on the ice! (Steve Serdachny conducts Power Skating and Hockey Schools worldwide. His power skating and skill systems are highly effective in developing maximum performance on ice. You can catch Steve on the national television show" Hockey Academy" on the NHL Network. For more information on camps, schools and driills, visit www.elitepowerskating.com or call 1-877-30-SKATE)