[Emilgence]

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Everyone keeps saying that, but I still don't see how it's so much harder to slide 2 feet over than skate rink length back and forth.

Any tips on equipment? Can you get away with $20 pieces of equipment?

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The reason why you have to be a good skater because you need incredible balance when you're moving around in your crease. It is very important to keep your body positioning where you want it while being able to move around. It is very easy for a beginner to catch an edge and fall down. As for speed, you don't really need that (unless you play at a higher level where you are expected to stop the puck behind the net and pass it out; you need to be quick at this).

Most importantly, it's all about blanace and being comfortable in skates.