How To Choose a Class
A brief history…
The Laura Stamm Power Skating system is a comprehensive instruction system of techniques, drills, and methods developed by Laura Stamm in 1971. This program includes a curriculum designed for players with as little as one year’s experience up through professional hockey. Laura started the development of this system while working with the New York Rangers!
This power skating system cannot be presented in one class and takes many years to master. So, a progressive skill testing system to rate players’ proficiency and progress, and the corresponding classes were created. Historically, the group A and B classes and the Elite Workshop covered the material, but time has shown that some students were left with great fundamental skills, yet weren’t quite ready for the Elite class. Therefore, in 2024, we introduced the Level 1 – Level 3 progression, providing a much smoother experience through the entire Laura Stamm Power Skating system.
Which class should I choose?
There are many variables that can determine which class is appropriate, so it’s important to understand up front that there is overlap in these classes, so skaters may find themselves at an appropriate point for either class if they are in that overlap area. If you are unsure which of two classes is appropriate, you are likely in that overlap, and either class would work. Here are some guidelines to use if you find yourself in that position:
- Does the skater have the physical and mental maturity to enjoy the challenge of being in the upper class?
- Is the skater older than the minimum age? And, how would they feel about participating with others older or younger than themselves?
- Is the skater one of the better skaters at their age?
- And most importantly: which class will they enjoy the most? A skater who is more engaged and comfortable in a group will get more benefit from the class.
Level 1(Basic A -> Int A) [formerly Basic & Intermediate]
The Basic & Intermediate Skills class is the primary class that we’ve been running for over 50 years. Players will focus on proper staking technique and developing a strong foundation, including knee bend, a full-length stride, and a full return. We start with a focus on skating slowly and correctly, then slowly, correctly, and powerfully. This can take many years to learn and master. All hockey players, regardless of skill level, need a solid foundation in skating technique, balance, and explosiveness, all of which are covered in the Level 1 (Basic A -> Int A).
Typical participants are skaters looking to improve fundamentals, with 1–3 years of hockey experience, who are new to Laura Stamm Power Skating or haven’t passed the Intermediate A assessment.
Prerequisites
- Age 7+
- Players should have one or more years of hockey experience under their belt.
- Be able to skate backward, perform forward crossovers in one direction, and perform hockey stops on one side.
Goals
- Cover the skills needed to pass the Basic and Intermediate skills tests.
- Develop good skating habits such as a deep knee bend, a full-length stride, and powerful pushes.
- Gain a strong foundation to build on and progress into more advanced skills.
This class is 6 hours on ice and covers the skills up to the Intermediate AA level skills test.
Note: This is not a learn-to-skate program.
Level 2 (Int A -> Adv AA) [formerly Advanced]
The Level 2 (Int A -> Adv AA) class is designed for players who have a good foundation of proper skating technique, such as travel or high school players with a strong grasp of fundamentals to build on. Players will focus on developing the more difficult techniques that lead to agility, explosiveness, and top-end speed. This is appropriate for hockey players looking to take their stride, balance, and explosiveness to the next level.
Typical participants are skaters aged 11+ seeking advanced skill development, who have previous Laura Stamm Power Skating experience and/or play travel hockey or intermediate adult league.
Recommendations
- Age 11+, LSPS instructor recommendation, or passed the intermediate AA skills test.
- Strong fundamental power skating technique.
- Can perform the maneuvers on the Intermediate AA test.
- Skaters need to have the athleticism, strength, and conditioning to perform the more advanced maneuvers.
- Previous experience with the Laura Stamm Power Skating system.
Goals
- Cover the skills needed to pass the Advanced skills tests.
- Develop powerful strides, top speed, agility, and explosiveness.
- Gain an advanced knowledge of skating technique and progress into elite skills.
This class is 6 hours on ice and covers the skills up to the Advanced AA level skills tests.
Level 3 (Adv AA -> Elite) [formerly Elite]
The Level 3 (Adv AA -> Elite) class is the pinnacle skating class for players and prospects of AAA, Junior A, and College-level hockey with advanced power skating skills. Players will focus on some of the most demanding and athletic skills in hockey. The focus is on explosiveness and mastering the techniques that will give you an edge at the highest levels of hockey.
Typical participants are dedicated, elite skaters wanting to push their skills to the limit, who have a Laura Stamm instructor recommendation, or play U14+ AAA, Junior A, college, or equivalent hockey.
Recommendations
- Age 15+
- For skaters under 15, an LSPS instructor recommendation, or having passed the Advanced AA skill level is sufficient.
- Driven hockey players who want to make it to the next level.
- AAA, Junior A, college, or equivalent players and prospective players
Goals
- Cover the skills needed to pass the All-Star and Elite Skater skills tests.
- Build incredibly strong skills to give you an edge at the highest levels of hockey.
- Develop explosive acceleration and powerful strides to increase your top-end speed.
- Develop agility and mobility with balance, power, and speed.
- Gain an elite knowledge of skating techniques and drills to continue to hone your skills
This class is 8 hours on ice and covers the skills up to the Elite skill level.
Note: This is not a conditioning camp; however, the techniques and drills are very demanding. Players cannot become great skaters in just a few days; they need to practice and master each technique throughout the year. Our clinics are designed to provide knowledge and drills to use outside of the clinics.
Most of our instructors have taken the Elite Skills class multiple times, and it shows!
More Information
You can always reach out to us for a specific recommendation via the Contact Us page, or you can feel free to choose which class you think is the most appropriate. In either case, if you feel that you’d be better in a different group after the first session, talk to the instructor, and we can work with you to get you in the right group.
