FAQ's

WHAT EXACTLY IS POWER SKATING?
 
The term “power skating” came about in referring to a player taking all the components used in skating (balance, agility, edgework, weight transfer, proper mechanics, etc) and, by using those components correctly, deriving “power” out of each movement. Unfortunately this term has confused many people. Some think it has to do with speed skating. Others think it means blowing a whistle and skating players to exhaustion. I like to use the term “hockey skating skills” instead of “power skating”. Hockey Skating Skills is teaching players to understand how the skill is done, recognizing the correct feel of the skill and minimizing movement so there is no wasted energy---at any, and all, levels.
 
HOW IS THE SCHAEFERING POWER PLAY HOCKEY PROGRAM UNIQUE?
 
Unlike a traditional hockey school, Schaefering Power Play Hockey puts its focus entirely on developing a strong skating foundation. With skating as the most used skill in the game, Diana gives players a program that grows with them as they move from one age bracket to another and as they climb the competitive ladder. The skills are taught slowly and then additional speed and pucks are added as the skill matures. Our belief is that first you crawl, then you walk and, finally, you run. If skills are done too soon at high tempo, before the player can understand and control the motion, the only thing being reinforced is bad habit. Our goal is to create players with knowledge, control and quickness. Quality execution first and then faster, faster, faster!
 
WHY WOULD I SEND MY CHILD TO A SKATING SKILLS PROGRAM INSTEAD OF A HOCKEY SCHOOL THAT INCORPORATES SKATING EACH DAY?
 
Having worked with hundreds of players and having children of her own, Diana understands that there is only so much that a person can absorb and retain at one time. Traditional hockey camps cover stick handling, shooting, passing, scoring, checking and skating over the course of the week. With only a small amount of time daily spent on each skill, how much can, or will, your child remember once it’s all over?  Those types of programs are great for an all around hockey experience. When skating improvement is what your player needs, instruction that is specific to that one particular skill will help gain the most improvement.
MY PLAYER IS A FORWARD. DOES HE NEED TO SPEND TIME PRACTICING ON SKATING BACKWARD? 
 
Hockey is a sport made up of many different skill sets.The more skilled each player is in every aspect of the game, the more valuable he becomes to the team. A forward who can’t go back and cover for an offensive defenseman when the need arises, becomes a deficit. Young players should have the opportunity to try playing in multiple positions to determine where they are most comfortable and enjoy playing the most. Older players need to display versatility and a willingness to be “a complete package”. This means that backward skating is an important part of the game----to a forward or a defenseman.  
 
 
MY PLAYER CAN SKATE  FORWARD, BACKWARD AND STOP. DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR POWER SKATING SKILLS LEVEL I OR CAN WE JUST SIGN UP FOR THE POWER SKATING SKILLS LEVEL II PROGRAM? 
 
                 
Diana has developed her system to build upon itself. If your player is capable of doing all of the elements that are covered in Level I, it may be that they are ready for Level II. However, just being able to do the elements, and doing them well are two different things. All of us have run in some capacity in our life. Athletes who choose track and field as their sport train by learning how to run correctly and efficiently. Just because a player can skate forward doesn’t mean that he is doing it correctly or efficiently. If that player learns to use his body correctly, he becomes more efficient and effective which, in turn, means he manages his energy properly. That surplus of energy makes a huge difference during the third period. At every level, reinforcing the correct skill pays huge benefits.

 
HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE TYPICALLY IN A CLASS?
 
The number of participants registered vary according to the specific program. Diana teaches with a wireless microphone so players in all areas of the ice hear the instructions clearly. Additional instructors are on the ice to teach and/or monitor the groups or lines. Because Diana feels strongly that the participants should each be given corrective feedback, numbers are always kept manageable.
 
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PRIVATE TRAINING VERSUS THE SKATING SKILLS PROGRAMS?
 
Private lessons have the advantage of dealing directly with a players specific needs. The downside is that lessons are done on public sessions where we are unable to skate full speed or in uninterrupted patterns because of the traffic. When lessons are done during the school year, most players don’t have the time to get dressed in their equipment. This means the skill is going to feel different when they take it into a practice or a game. Additionally, we are unable to take sticks onto the ice. The Skating Skills Programs allow us the uninterrupted full ice advantage, along with equipment and sticks. It also adds the element of competition----where many players thrive. The disadvantage is that each individual will not have as much one on one attention.