Learn to Skate

The Beverly Youth Hockey Learn to Skate program is designed for the beginner, who has never put on skates, through the skater who has some experience on the ice but wants to improve their skills. We also have skaters who are beginning to work on their stick skills as well. No child is too young or too old to learn how to skate. Some start as early as two, but ages four to six are more typical, as well as some skaters who start later than that. 

Learn to Skate runs for 20 weeks and typically starts in October.

All participants must have their own skates (make sure they fit and are sharpened).

All participants must have a hockey helmet with a full cage.

Please write your child's first name on a piece of tape and place it across the front of their helmet.

All participants must wear gloves (do not have to be hockey gloves; for the absolute beginner, gloves with fingers (not mitts) are actually better for holding onto milk crates).

Knee and elbow pads are strongly recommended (do not have to be specific to hockey, but are very important because falling is part of learning to skate, and skaters gain more confidence when they can fall safely).

Some skaters either start with, or transition to, full hockey gear (pants, socks, chest pads) in the LTS sessions, but that is not mandatory.

Local sports stores often offer “learn to skate” introductory packages that include the basic equipment - for example, Pure Hockey in Danvers.

BYH has a number of milk crates for beginner skaters to balance on, but if you have crates (two on top of each other attached together) please bring them along. They are necessary for most beginners.

BYH coaches and volunteers will lead the LTS sessions. If you have experience and are interested in volunteering, please contact peter.pound@morganlewis.com

We are also in need of parents to assist with checking in skaters at the entrance and to assist with getting the bumper pads onto and off of the ice. Please volunteer!

The ice will be generally divided into two groups early in the season.

Group 1 is primarily for first time skaters. Most skaters in this group rely on a milk crate for balance. The focus of instruction for Group 1 is to assist skaters in developing independent balance and basic movement through drills and games.

Group 2 is for those skaters who have moved beyond the use of milk crates, but are still a little shaky on their skates. The focus of instruction for Group 2 is to further develop and maintain the skaters’ balance and movement through more accelerated games and drills. Midway through the program, sticks and pucks will be introduced. We usually also introduce a mini- game for the Group 2 skaters when they are ready.

We are proud of the success of our LTS program in getting kids ready to play hockey, and look forward to welcoming new participants!