Equipment Needed
- Skates
- Open ice
Sharp edges make this drill work
Freshly sharpened skates give players the edge control this stopping technique actually depends on.
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- Skaters line up facing the same direction with open ice ahead.
- Coach demonstrates the snowplow stop before skaters attempt it.
Instructions
- Glide forward at an easy pace, then turn both toes inward and press the inside edges into the ice to snowplow stop.
- Practice this 4–5 times, focusing on a gradual, controlled slowdown rather than an instant stop.
- Once comfortable, try stopping with just one skate turned sideways while the other stays forward.
- Repeat on both sides so skaters don't develop a strong-side-only stop.
Coaching Points
- Bent knees and a low center of gravity make stopping far more controlled than standing tall.
- It's fine if the first several stops are gradual and imperfect — that's the normal learning curve.
- Praise any controlled stop, even a slow one, over an uncontrolled fall used as a "stop."
- Practice stopping on both sides equally so skaters aren't limited to only one direction later on.
Variation
Add a simple "skate and stop on whistle" game for a fun way to repeat the skill, or introduce the one-knee stop for older beginners.