Sometimes you don’t have a nicely smoothed ice rink to practice with the puck. All you really need to practice hockey is a frozen over pond and some skates. Grab a couple friends and head down to your nearest park, the fun starts as soon as you want it to.

There are many different things you can do on a frozen pond. If you’re just starting out it is a great place to learn how to skate in a very casual environment. Just practice your turns and cuts, and before you know it you will be skating figure eights around the competition. Once you have basic skating down you can work on your speed or your puck control. Finally once you think you are ready you can start a scrimmage. Set out some markers for goals and get ready to have fun. Remember that it is still just practice so don’t get too aggressive with your friends.

There are some worries that come along with playing on a frozen pond that you should be aware of. Remember to make sure the ice is thick enough to skate on, the last thing you want is someone falling through. You should also keep in mind that the ice is not as smooth so keep an eye out for ruts and divots.