Buying Guides

A camel spin (also called a parallel spin) is one of the three basic spin positions in figure skating. The skater balances on one leg while extending the torso and free leg parallel to the ice, creating a horizontal line similar to a ballet arabesque. This elegant position has been a staple of competitive skating … Read more

The house in curling is the circular target zone at each end of the ice sheet where all scoring happens. Think of it like the bullseye in darts, but with four concentric rings instead of one. Each house consists of four circles: the outer 12-foot circle, the 8-foot circle, the 4-foot circle, and the button … Read more

Figure skating changed from the 6.0 scoring system because of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics scandal. A French judge admitted she was pressured to favor a Russian pair over a Canadian one in a vote-swapping deal. This exposed deep flaws in the old system’s lack of transparency and vulnerability to corruption. The International … Read more

I spent my first three seasons in adult league hockey fumbling pucks in the neutral zone while players with silky hands skated circles around me. My breakthrough came when I committed to 15 minutes of daily off-ice stickhandling practice in my garage. Within two months, I went from losing pucks under pressure to confidently carrying … Read more

If you have ever watched curling during the Winter Olympics, you have probably heard someone scream “hurry hard” at the top of their lungs. It is one of the most iconic sounds in the sport. But what does this phrase actually mean? In this guide, I will explain everything you need to know about this … Read more

Walking into a hockey shop for the first time can feel overwhelming. I remember standing there surrounded by walls of pads, helmets, and sticks, wondering what equipment does a kid need for hockey and where to even start. If you are a parent facing the same confusion, you are not alone. According to USA Hockey … Read more

The history of figure skating as a sport stretches back over 5,000 years, making it one of humanity’s oldest physical pursuits. What began as a practical means of winter transportation in ancient Scandinavia evolved into an elegant Olympic sport that captivates millions today. Understanding the history of figure skating reveals how bone skates, steel blades, … Read more

Watching curling during the Olympics can feel like listening to a foreign language. The commentators throw around terms like “bonspiel,” “hack weight,” and “the roaring game” while stones glide down the ice and sweepers frantically brush the surface. I remember my first time watching a match and wondering why everyone kept shouting numbers at each … Read more

Curling is often called chess on ice, and for good reason. Behind every stone sliding down the sheet lies a complex web of strategy, precision, and split-second decisions. Whether you are watching the Winter Olympics or stepping onto the ice for your first learn-to-curl session, understanding curling strategy and shot types explained properly transforms how … Read more