As a hockey player, there are few pieces of equipment more
important than your skates. Without skates or without the proper skates,
players couldn’t glide across the ice as gracefully as they do, nor could they move
and shoot with accuracy or precision.
Because skates play such an important role in the game of
hockey, it is imperative to be aware of the warning signs of skates that are
getting dull. That way, you can have the skates sharpened before they have a chance
to impair an athlete’s skating ability.
So, what are the warning signs of dull skates?
Visible Nicks and Grooves
Sometimes, the best way to find hints of dullness is to look
at the skates themselves.
Take a good look at the actual blades of a pair of skates.
If you notice nicks, grooves, or if the problem is really bad, visible chunks
missing along the blade line, then it’s probably time to have the skates
sharpened or to trade them in for a new pair.
Try the Nail Test
If you don’t spot any nicks in the blades, then you might
think that they are fine. However, not having nicks doesn’t mean that blades
are as sharp as they should be, and sharpness is important for the careful
turns and pivots required of hockey players.
Thus, a good trick for testing sharpness is the “nail test.”
Carefully run your fingernail along the blade. If it glides through smoothly
with no resistance, it’s time to sharpen the skates. If you feel a pull or a
slight dig- don’t press too hard- on your nail, then the skates are sharp and
good to go.
Lost Grip
Finally, players can often “feel” that their skates are
losing sharpness when they’re out on the ice.
If your young player complains of feeling unstable or of not having enough grip on the ice, it’s probably due to dull blades.
The good news is that sharpening dull blades is not
difficult or expensive, so don’t hesitate to get it done right away if you
notice any of these warning signs of dullness.
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