Ground up training academy

Almost two weeks in the book for youth hockey academy. The improvement just oozes out of these kids with every skate. Thank you Mr Shaw for the pics it’s hard to take pics and coach at the same time. Travis FudgeGary Fudge Springfield Skateland SnipersSpringfield Skateland

If you haven’t got your kiddo signed up for camp this month it’s no problem the first class is tonight @6. Feel free to show up or call Sean or Skateland. A short video from our beginner 12-u league. Travis Fudge Gary Fudge Springfield Skateland Snipers Springfield Skateland

Reminder first class starts tomorrow at 6pm. Please contact me if you would like to sign up or have any questions. All ages and skill levels are welcome. No matter how good your kiddo is we can make them better.

Why Roller Hockey is good for Ice Hockey players -- By Peter Dale (Updated!) We all know that USA Hockey advocates cross-training and playing multiple sports. W...e also know that there is still a huge majority of players who continue to play spring ice hockey and skate throughout the summer with little break. I have been teaching, training and coaching both Ice Hockey and Roller Hockey for over 25 years and I am here to say, roller hockey will absolutely make you a better ice hockey playerperiod! I grew up playing ice hockey and continued to play through college. After college, I was burned out on ice and jumped on the inline craze of the nineties. Little did I know that it would take me around the world as a player on the USA National team as well as allow me to achieve my dream of playing professional hockey. I was even on ESPN. How cool is that?! There is no question that my ice skills helped me excel at roller hockey. What I did not realize at the time is how much roller hockey would change my ice game as a player and how I approached it as a coach and trainer. Here is why. Roller Hockey is played 4 v 4 with no off-sides and no icing. This type of game encourages puck control, puck support and finding open space. While most people understand this, many fail to realize how good it is for 1-1 battles. There is nowhere to hide in roller. With no off-sides and no icing, all the players are exposed. You are forced to talk, to pick up an open man and to win those 1-1 battles. There is a HUGE Compete element to the game! For those of you thinking, yeah but you cannot stop on rollers or its slow THINK AGAIN. The technology of skates and wheels today is amazing. The speed of players and the game has increased just like any other sport. It’s actually faster in many ways as there is not as many whistles or stoppages of play. This forces players to learn how to see the rink and make decisions quickly. It changes from a ‘dump and chase’ North-South mentality to moving laterally and back, bringing in an East-West component often overlooked in ice. It is all about PUCK POSSESSION! If you need proof or validation of the game, look no further than the new 3 v 3 overtime that the NHL is using. Everyone is in awe of the speed, the skills, the odd man rushes and back and forth play. In fact, they have brought that to the NHL All-Star Game. The truth is that people like to see talent showcased. They like watching players score goals! Hello, Roller Hockey! I always hear, that’s a roller move if they tried that on the ice they would get hit/laid out. Have you watched NHL highlights? The players of today are bigger, stronger, faster and are making these same skills moveson other NHL players! Guys have even done the Michigan in an NHL game. Today’s players are pushing the envelope of skill and creativity. Roller Hockey allows players the freedom to work and develop in more creative ways! Strong is strong, Fast is Fast and Sick Moves are Sick Moves! If you have not seen the top youth and adult players play roller hockey, you need to go to a NARCh, State Wars, or TORHS event. It is unreal. You will be impressed! Then there is always the big debate if roller hockey hurts your stride and skating. Many skeptics will tell you it’s bad for their form. Roller players do circles and not stops and starts. NEWS FLASHkids not stopping and starting has nothing to do with roller. It has to do with lazy players. As an ice hockey coach I am continually breaking that same habit. In reality, I can make a huge case that starting out on inline skates will actually help you excel at a much quicker pace than starting on the ice. HUH? Skating on rollers is like having exercise balls under your feet, you are constantly trying to find your balance points. After learning how to skate in rollers, the transition to ice is much easierand quicker. Kids find their balance and edge work much quicker. I watch it happen first hand on a regular basis, year after year, player after player! Here is a little-known fact as well for all the roller bashersOver the past two decades, there has been an invasion of inline speed skaters crossing over to ice speed skating. Skaters like, Chad Hedrick, Derek Para, Jondon Trevena, Jennifer Rodriguez, KC Boutiette, Joey Cheek and even Apolo Anton Ohno started on inline skates. Most recently, Joey Mantia made the switch. These skaters not only transitioned but became Olympic Champions. In fact, about 65 percent of the United States Olympic medals in ice speed skating during the last three Olympics were earned by former inline skaters who made the transition from inline to ice. Yeah, ok, but that is speed skatingthis is HOCKEY. Well, FYI, the number of players playing juniors, college and pro are growing. Oh yeah, and that other league, the NHL. We have those roller alums too! Check your facts. Even Connor McDavid used to practice on inline skates in his garage and it does not seem to have hurt his skating or playing abilities! Are you getting the picture yet? Roller Hockey can be your secret weapon. Roller hockey can be your way to get off the ice, give your mind a mental break while still developing your skills and game awareness. In 1996, I started USA Clinics, a traveling roller hockey camp that toured the USA teaching young players the game of roller hockey. What I soon discovered was that after getting the bug for hockey, the roller players would make the switch to ice hockey. The resultthey soon were among the best players on their team and in their own organization. After having started our own Farm Tough Roller Club in 2011, I have seen first hand our kids go back to their respective teams/clubs and excel. Every year after roller ends and ice begins, parents will call or email and tell me what a difference roller has made. Other people stop and ask them what they did over the summer. I love it! When people ask me what do my kids do? Why are they so good? It’s simplewe play roller hockey! I am not saying that if you play roller hockey you will automatically be the best player. But I will tell you that no matter what your skill level, be it an A, B or C player, that if you do play Roller, you will be among the best A, B or C players over those who do NOT play roller hockey. It can definitely provide the confidence boot for those bubble kids to push them up a notch too. As we move into spring and summer, take a look on social media and see just how many top players and instructors use roller hockey as a tool for improvement in the off-season. If you have not tried it, please don’t bash it. If you have tried it and it’s not for you, no worries, thanks for exploring and best wishes. Remember there is no one path to greatness but I can tell you 100% without a doubt that playing roller hockey will without a doubt make you a better ice player. Check out your local area for roller programs and leagues! If you live in or near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have 3 Farm Tough Roller Programs: REC League for ages 6-12, Rec PLUS and our flagship Club teams. Come and experience first hand the fun of roller hockey! Learn more online at FarmToughHockey.com or reach out to [email protected]

If you are looking to get your kids some more work on the skates and off we are starting a new youth class. First class starts 3/2/20 all ages welcome. We will focus on hockey based from the ground up, skating, passing, stick handling, shooting, balance, footwork and much more. We will skate once a week and do dry land training once a week. If your a fan of hockey you know the game is moving to people that can skate and play both ways. We will get your kiddo on the way no matter the age. Please get ahold of us to sign up or for any questions.