If you are new to hockey or watching your first game, you might hear commentators mention a player “deking” out an opponent and wonder what that means. A deke is a type of feint or fake technique whereby a player draws an opposing player out of position or skates by the opponent while maintaining possession … Read more
A toe pick is a set of serrated, sawlike teeth at the front of a figure skate blade. These jagged ridges may look intimidating to beginners, but they serve essential functions that make figure skating possible. If you have ever watched a figure skater launch into a jump or stop suddenly with precision, you have … Read more
Why do female figure skaters retire so young? It is a question that baffles casual viewers every Olympic season. While most professional athletes peak in their late twenties or early thirties, the average female figure skater retires between ages 22 and 25, with many leaving the sport before they turn 20. The answer is not … Read more
Alex Ovechkin holds the record for the most goals in NHL history with 928 goals and counting. The Washington Capitals captain broke Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly unbreakable record of 894 goals on April 6, 2025, becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer in his 20th NHL season. Gretzky’s record had stood for 31 years after he … Read more
Figure skating demands incredible athleticism, combining explosive jumps, graceful spins, and precise edge work on a surface with minimal friction. Every time a skater lands a jump, their body absorbs forces equivalent to seven to eight times their body weight. This unique combination of repetitive high-impact landings and rotational stress creates specific injury patterns that … Read more
What age can kids start ice skating? Most children are ready to begin between ages 3 and 5, though the right age depends entirely on your child’s individual development. Some eager 2-year-olds can take their first steps on ice with heavy parent support, while other kids do better waiting until age 6 or 7 when … Read more
To store ice skates in the off season, dry the blades completely with a towel, remove the insoles to air dry, wipe down the boots, cover the blades with soft soakers (not hard guards), and store them in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and humidity. I have stored my own skates this … Read more
Understanding what is the crease in hockey confuses even seasoned fans. I remember watching a playoff game where a crucial goal got waved off because a player barely touched the blue paint. Everyone at the party started arguing about whether the call was right. The crease in hockey is a semi-circular blue painted area directly … Read more
When you watch Olympic figure skaters glide across the ice at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, their costumes might look like pure artistry. But beneath the sequins and stretch fabrics lies a strict regulatory framework that every skater must follow. The International Skating Union (ISU) maintains detailed figure skating costume rules that govern everything from … Read more
Moves in the Field are structured skill tests in figure skating that evaluate a skater’s edge control, power, and technique through specific patterns of turns, steps, and edge movements. These tests replaced the traditional compulsory figures system after it was abolished in 1990 and now serve as the foundation for all competitive figure skating in … Read more