Inside Edges vs. Outside Edges: What Young Hockey Players Need to Know

What Are Hockey Skate Edges?

Each hockey skate blade has two edges:

• Inside edge: The edge closest to the other foot.

• Outside edge: The edge on the outside of the foot.

When a player skates, turns, stops, or changes direction, they are using one or both of these edges. Strong edge control allows players to stay balanced, create power, and move efficiently on the ice.

Edge work is not just a skating skill. It affects shooting, passing, puck protection, body positioning, and overall hockey confidence.

What Is an Inside Edge?

The inside edge is the edge of the blade that faces the middle of the body. For example, on the right skate, the inside edge is the left side of that blade. On the left skate, the inside edge is the right side of that blade.

Young hockey players often feel more comfortable using their inside edges because inside edges are used in many basic skating movements.

Inside edges are important for:

• Forward stride power

• Crossovers

• Stops

• Tight turns

• Acceleration

• Balance during pushing movements

• Changing speed

When a player pushes off the ice during a forward stride, they are mainly using the inside edge. A strong inside edge helps create power and speed.

What Is an Outside Edge?

The outside edge is the edge of the blade that faces away from the body. For example, on the right skate, the outside edge is the right side of that blade. On the left skate, the outside edge is the left side of that blade.

Outside edges are usually harder for young players to master because they require more balance, ankle control, knee bend, and body awareness.

Outside edges are important for:

• Smooth turns

• Deception

• Puck protection

• Lateral movement

• Mohawks and transitions

• Escaping pressure

• Maintaining speed through turns

• Advanced edge control

A player who can trust their outside edges can move more creatively and confidently during games.

Inside Edges vs. Outside Edges: The Main Difference

The biggest difference between inside edges and outside edges is how they help a player control movement.

Inside edges are commonly used for power and pushing. Outside edges are commonly used for balance, control, and changing direction.

A simple way to explain it:

Inside edges help players create power. Outside edges help players control movement.

Both are needed. A player who only uses inside edges may skate hard, but they may struggle with balance, deception, and tight turns. A player who develops outside edges can become more agile and harder to defend.

Why Young Hockey Players Need Inside Edge Control

Inside edge control is one of the first building blocks of skating.

Young players need inside edges to learn how to:

• Push properly

• Stop safely

• Turn with control

• Build speed

• Perform crossovers

• Stay balanced while accelerating

Without strong inside edges, players may look unstable or weak in their stride.

They may also have trouble stopping, turning, or keeping up with the play.

Inside edge drills are especially important for beginner and intermediate players because they teach players how to feel the ice and use their blades correctly.

Why Young Hockey Players Need Outside Edge Control

Outside edge control is where many young players begin to separate themselves.

Players with strong outside edges can:

• Turn without losing speed

• Protect the puck better

• Escape defenders

• Change direction quickly

• Open their hips more smoothly

• Stay balanced under pressure

• Become more deceptive with the puck

Outside edges are especially important in modern hockey because players are constantly changing direction, using deception, and making plays in small areas.

A player who cannot use outside edges may rely too much on wide turns, slow stops, or straight-line skating. That makes them easier to defend.

Why Outside Edges Are Harder for Young Players

Outside edges are harder because they require trust. Many young players feel like they are going to fall when they lean onto an outside edge.

Common reasons players struggle with outside edges include:

• Standing too tall

• Not bending their knees enough

• Weak ankle control

• Fear of leaning

• Poor balance

• Lack of repetition

• Not understanding body position

The key is not to rush. Players need repeated practice in a controlled environment before they can use outside edges confidently in games.

How Edge Control Helps in Real Hockey Situations

Edge work matters because hockey is not played in straight lines. Players need to stop, start, turn, cut, pivot, escape pressure, and adjust their body position constantly.

Strong edge control helps players in situations such as:

• A forward cutting away from a defender

• A defenseman walking the blue line

• A player protecting the puck along the boards

• A center turning quickly after a faceoff

• A winger changing direction on a zone entry

• A player escaping pressure in the corner

• A defenseman pivoting backward to forward

Better edges give players more options. More options lead to better decisions.

Common Edge Work Mistakes Young Players Make

Many young hockey players make the same mistakes when learning inside and outside edges.

Common mistakes include:

• Skating too upright

• Looking down at the ice

• Not bending the knees

• Turning with the upper body only

• Avoiding the outside edge

• Dragging the feet instead of using the blade

• Losing balance because the feet are too close together

• Rushing drills before learning proper control

Good edge work starts with body position. Players should bend their knees, keep their chest up, stay balanced over their skates, and learn how to shift weight from one edge to the other.

Simple Inside Edge Drills for Young Hockey Players

Here are a few basic inside edge drills that help young players build control:

1. Inside Edge C-Cuts

Players use one foot at a time to make a C-shape on the ice. This teaches edge pressure, balance, and pushing mechanics.

2. Two-Foot Inside Edge Turns

Players turn in a circle while feeling pressure on both inside edges. This helps with turning and body control.

3. Inside Edge Slalom

Players weave through cones using inside edges to change direction. This helps with agility and balance.

4. Inside Edge Stops

Players practice stopping on both sides using proper knee bend and edge pressure. This builds confidence and safety.

Simple Outside Edge Drills for Young Hockey Players

Outside edge drills should be introduced slowly and with control.

1. Outside Edge Glides

Players glide on one foot while leaning slightly onto the outside edge. The goal is balance, not speed.

2. Outside Edge C-Cuts

Players use one foot to create a C-shape with the outside edge. This builds ankle strength and edge awareness.

3. One-Foot Turns

Players turn in a circle on one foot using the outside edge. This helps with control and confidence.

4. Figure-8 Edge Turns

Players skate a figure-8 pattern while switching between inside and outside edges. This teaches weight transfer and smooth movement.

How Coaches Can Teach Edges Better

Coaches should make edge work a regular part of player development. Edge control should not only be taught during skating clinics. It should be included in warmups, skill stations, puck drills, small-area games, and position-specific training.

Good coaching points include:

• Bend the knees

• Keep the head and chest up

• Stay balanced over the skates

• Use controlled pressure on the blade

• Let the body lean with the turn

• Do not rush the movement

• Practice both sides equally

Players should learn edges without the puck first, then add the puck once the movement improves.

When Should Young Players Start Learning Edge Work?

Young hockey players should start learning edge control as early as possible.

Even beginner players can work on basic inside edges, balance, and simple turns.

Outside edges can be introduced once players are comfortable gliding, turning, and balancing on one foot.

For younger players, edge work should be fun and simple. For older players, edge work should become more game-like and connected to real hockey situations.

Edge Work by Age Group

6U and 8U Players

Focus on balance, basic inside edges, gliding, stopping, and turning. Keep drills fun and simple.

10U Players

Introduce more outside edge work, crossovers, one-foot balance, and controlled turns.

12U Players

Add more speed, tighter turns, puck control, transitions, and game-like edge movements.

14U and Older Players

Focus on advanced edge control, deception, puck protection, lateral movement, pressure escapes, and position-specific skating.

Why Edge Work Helps With Puck Skills

Players with better edges usually have better puck skills because they are more balanced. When a player is balanced, they can keep their head up, protect the puck, change direction, and make plays under pressure.

A player who struggles with edges often has to focus too much on staying upright. That makes it harder to handle the puck, read the ice, or make quick decisions.

Good edge control allows players to play with more confidence.

Final Thoughts

Inside edges and outside edges are both essential for young hockey players.

Inside edges help players create power, stop, turn, and accelerate. Outside edges help players balance, escape pressure, protect the puck, and become more deceptive.

The best skaters do not just skate fast in a straight line. They control their edges, change direction smoothly, and stay balanced in difficult situations.

For young hockey players, edge work should be a consistent part of training. The earlier players learn to use both inside and outside edges, the stronger and more confident they become on the ice.