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Socks and Skates
by Shawn Killian - Director of Planet Hockey Skills Development & Training
So, do you wear socks in your skates?
Of course you do, who wants blisters, smelly skates, or cold toes. Not wearing
socks just isn't a consideration, you are supposed to wear them, or are
you?
It's not for everyone, but skating in the "buff" (sockless) is
preferred by many Junior, College, and Pro players throughout the world.
Although there are many rules in hockey, no where does it state "though
shall wear socks".
You get what you pay for. High end skates will provide you with better support, added comfort, lighter components, added protection, a quicker "break-in time", better resale value, and higher quality steel blades that hold an edge longer.
Also, the extra performance you will get from a "top end" pair of skates is well worth the investment. If your feet are still growing, chances are, your skates have a lot of life left in them at the time you toss them out. 99% of all high quality skates have a 2 year life. With the extra life comes money to you. Take them to the local "Play It Again Sports", Pro Shop, or place a pull-tab at the local rink. You should recoup approximately 25% of what you paid for them. There's a market for used hockey equipment which can help keep your hockey costs low.
Let's take a look at what function foot socks provide. As I ask players of all ages throughout the country why they wear socks, the following answers always surface.
Blisters - No one wants them, in fact, a blister will make every stride almost unbearable. But what causes a blister? Rubbing will do it every time. Have you gotten a blister with socks on, can rubbing occur with socks? Absolutely. Blisters simply occur as a direct result of poor fitting skates. Skates with too much room either in the length or width will cause a blister usually on the arch of your foot, under your ankle bones, or around your heal. These are the pressure points and the areas that rubbing takes place. To avoid this, purchase skates that are not too big. There are different widths as well as lengths and each are vital for maximum comfort and performance. If you currently wear socks in your skates, wean yourself down to thin socks and wear thin socks when fitting for your next pair of skates.
Smelly Skates - Ripe skates are not a glamorous part of the game, but can be a sign of proper use. Skate performance is maximized when they are used hard, when they are abused through disciplined edge work. This high level of performance will result in skates that produce an odor strong enough to keep your opponent away.
Cold Toes - This is one of the biggest myths surrounding correct foot performance. Sure ice is cold, but it is not the ice that makes toes hurt. Cold feet are a result of two things. First, "Lazy Feet" will do it every time. Never let your feet lay flat in your skates. Demand them to work and move around inside your boots, not by slipping loosely, but by making your toe, foot, and ankle muscles grab and flex and FEEL the ice. Another reason for cold feet is skates that do not fit correctly. Skates that are too big will allow moisture to cool inside the boot. Skates that are too small will cut off the supply of blood to the vital muscles throughout the foot and toes. This lack of blood in the foot resulting from skates that either fit too tightly (or pinch the pressure points just below the ankle bone), or are tied too tightly are a recipe for cold feet.
Skating "sockless" will increase your FEEL of the ice and in turn will increase performance. Planet Hockey uses the analogy of a cat running on a shag carpet. At any time a cat can extend their claws and dig into the carpet to change direction. The cat can FEEL the ground. We want to FEEL the ice. A sock will numb your feel of the ice and often creates "heavy" feet. Soft, graceful feet that have a good feel for the ice are the key to confidence, control and power on skates!
If you're not part
of the "Sockless Club", try it, regardless of age or ability.
Removing your socks will create room in your skates (and give you a couple
more months in your skates), so wait until your skates become a bit snug.
Would you let a surgeon operate on you wearing ski gloves? On a cold day,
why don't NFL quarterbacks and PGA golfers wear warm gloves on cold days?
Skilled athletes establish a precise level of sensation and operate on feel.
Hockey player's feet and hands are no different. We want as much feeling
with our feet and toes as we have with our hands and fingers. To maximize
your skill potential experiment and explore new sensations on the ice. Simply
put, any cover on your feet will rob you of performance. Make sure your
skates are comfortably snug and give it a shot. All you have to lose is
a smelly, stretched out pair of socks.
This article was written by Shawn Killian,
Director of Planet Hockey Skills Camps and the Planet Hockey Ranch in Salida,
Colorado. For more information on all Planet Hockey Programs including Training
Videos and coordinating a Planet Hockey Skills Camp for your Association
or Group contact Planet Hockey at 1-800-320-7545 | www.planethockey.com
| shawn@planethockey.com