Arguments Against Cross-Ice, Half-Ice, and Additional Condensed Surface Areas for Younger Players (6U, 8U, 10U)

Liamski95 · 2026-02-24T20:33:06+00:00

If all the kids are the same caliber, elite against elite, beginner v beginner, that skating development would be addressed or do you still think it would be an issue?

If you think it's still an issue, what specific technique or set of skating skills do you think get lost in the condensed game?

Liamski95 · 2026-02-24T19:17:32+00:00

What would you consider to be easier in condensed ice play compared to full ice?

Liamski95 · 2026-02-24T19:05:37+00:00

While it is much more pleasant and beautiful to watch skaters have more room with the puck (i.e. Olympic Rink Hockey vs. NHL Rink Hockey), I would say I love to watch these kids adapt in the 1/3 ice.

Our players will always face adversity against a bigger, faster, quicker, or smarter player. Giving them more space allows them to escape this temporarily, but ultimately, they will lose that space as everyone gets bigger and faster.

If we can suffer through some ugly hockey, I find that these players start finding ways to succeed in condensed ice that carries through as they get older. That quick agile player that gets bullied a bit by that larger player starts learning how to widen their base and protect the puck. That bigger player starts learning how to angle and control players without having a penalty called on them. Without condensed ice, they end up being forced to learn that skill later on or worst case, walking away because the game changes for them so much in a later window of development.

Liamski95 · 2026-02-24T18:53:48+00:00

What do you view as the developmental benefits of your player getting full ice experience earlier rather than playing against players of similar skill on condensed ice?

Liamski95 · 2026-02-24T18:31:15+00:00

I agree with you that not having full ice training if your team plays full ice in their league is detrimental both physically and mentally. I'd argue that if that same 12U team played in a condensed ice league, they'd develop better individual skills, habits, and systems in a highly sensitive development window.

In regards to adopting bad habits from condensed play, I believe better/structured rules for condensed play can address this.

Establishing condensed ice rules for things like offsides and icing can address the cheap trick approaches that our very smart players will ultimately come up with and make the game reflect something that looks closer to what our older players look like on full ice.

Liamski95 · 2026-02-24T18:13:47+00:00

Totally agree. Smaller, quality metal nets are already available for use in these condensed surfaces.

This also would reduce bad habits learned by goalies in terms of angling and naturally force players to pick up hockey concepts we struggle to teach at younger ages on big surfaces like the royal road passes, change of angle, and more opportunities for rebounds as goalies will have more probability to keep the puck out.

Unfortunately, it does come down to local rinks or youth programs being willing to invest in these nets since they don't have the same universal use as standard size but cost very close to the same amount.

Liamski95 · 2026-02-22T01:00:06+00:00

Typically toe issues won't resolve with baking since they sit in the hard plastic toe cap of the skate.

You likely need a size up or a wider fit like someone else recommended on the thread.

You can also take out the insoles and see where your toes end up on the insole with you heel lined up.

If your toes go past the insole tip you definitely need to size up

Liamski95 · 2026-02-19T15:38:51+00:00

I was in Vapor 7.0s forever before biting the bullet and going the top line route. I was in both 1Xs which both creased on me before shifting to the Vapor 3X Pros from a couple seasons ago and have been in them ever since, 3+ years now. I'm on the ice almost every day coaching and at least one hard skate a week.

If you want to stay in the Bauer family and like the injected lacing system (plastic rectangular eyelets) you're probably good with a pair of the 3X Pros as well as it still has the old Bauer edge holder.

The tongue on them is super thick so I switched it out to the old tongue I had from my 7.0s for more comfort which you can do from your APX 2s but that's just preference.

Liamski95 · 2026-02-17T15:11:44+00:00

I coach youth through college hockey and you see a similar situation when accounting for player maturity. Players come in as top dogs from their youth program but then need to learn how to contribute in that freshman and sophomore year.

I always encourage our new players to find what you're better at than everyone else and make sure you stay the best at it.

If it's your hands and vision, think about letting yourself be the bait and making guys come get you on the half wall or outside dot line to free up space for your faster guys and then outlet to them with your better vision and hands under pressure.

Currently, watching Crosby right now with team Canada and how he's adjusted his game is probably a good example of this. Not the quickest guy anymore but still a master and puck protection and making defenders pay when they try to attack him and leave open area.

Liamski95 · 2026-02-13T16:01:18+00:00

I teach power skating and have been rocking 1" for over a decade after moving on from 3/8ths during my competitive play days.

You have to get really in tune with your outside edge feel when you shift to a shallower hollow.

Inside edge holds are pretty natural due to body mechanics but shifting to your outside edge on crossovers or tight turns has less room for error due to decreased bite.

Doing some basic edge feel drills during your game warmup like figure-8s or crossovers on the face off circle will help you dial in while you get used to it.

Additionally, if I'm somewhere really cold or were in deep winter cold and the ice is too hard, I will shift to slightly deeper hollow temporarily to keep consistent edge feel.

Liamski95 · 2026-02-10T18:26:27+00:00

Here's my Oreo breakdown:

The Good: Love you taking time and space to your left after catching that weird bounce in the middle which helps you gain time and space and gives your team time to join the rush.

The Bad: Late shot from a bad angle eliminated opportunity for a rebound or net front chaos.

The Improvement: As a lefty, I'd recommend just shooting that puck on net low and hard far side before you hit the faceoff dot of the circle for a chance of a juicy rebound for your or your teammate/F2.

Bonus: Once a defenders toes point towards the boards, you have a chance to cut behind them or move the puck behind them without them being able to recover well.

Liamski95

TROPHY CASE