Youth soccer and hockey -- where to start? (house, best place)

[CK in NC]

[SIZE=3]I have 7 year old twin boys. Neither has ever played hockey or soccer, but one wants to get in to hockey and the other wants to try soccer. Where is the best place to start for each? I see that the Parks and Rec dept offers a soccer academy, so I think we might start there for the soccer since I’m not finding any other great places to start for someone who has never played before. But what about hockey? I’ve been doing some searches and I see that jellybeans offers inline hockey, and I wonder if that might be easier for him since he’s more familiar with inline skating (he’s only been ice skating a few times). On the other hand there seem to be more places that offer ice hockey (Rec Zone, The Ice Plex, and The Factory are the ones that I’ve looked in to). Is anyone here familiar with the programs at any of those places? I wonder how essential it would be for him to take skating lessons before he starts. He’s not a skating expert, but I think he does pretty good. [/SIZE]

[cas965]

you can have him sign up for a "learn to play" hockey, that way he can learn the positions and understand the game more from the ice. I would do this before you sign him up for a house league which would then be the next step. they also have pick up games at the factory and they have them for all different levels or stick and puck days might be fun for him. Good luck

[CK in NC]

Thanks for the reply. I saw some learn to play sessions at one of the places (can't remember which one now) but I wondered how to know if his skating skills were good enough. I guess we'll just need to go in and talk to someone. Thanks again!

[Zoya]

Originally Posted by CK in NC

[SIZE=3]I have 7 year old twin boys. Neither has ever played hockey or soccer, but one wants to get in to hockey and the other wants to try soccer. Where is the best place to start for each? I see that the Parks and Rec dept offers a soccer academy, so I think we might start there for the soccer since I’m not finding any other great places to start for someone who has never played before. But what about hockey? I’ve been doing some searches and I see that jellybeans offers inline hockey, and I wonder if that might be easier for him since he’s more familiar with inline skating (he’s only been ice skating a few times). On the other hand there seem to be more places that offer ice hockey (Rec Zone, The Ice Plex, and The Factory are the ones that I’ve looked in to). Is anyone here familiar with the programs at any of those places? I wonder how essential it would be for him to take skating lessons before he starts. He’s not a skating expert, but I think he does pretty good. [/SIZE]

The hockey programs at The Factory have lots of fans. (My daughter figure skates there, but many of my friends have sons and daughters in hockey.)

Really, it wouldn't hurt for him to take a few lessons in skating. You can find all leagues/teams at all ability levels, but kids tend to be more into it when they do well and some rink lessons can help. Call and talk to the organizers.