When Tom Brady joined Tampa, he held ‘secret’ training sessions with his future wide receivers weeks before training camp. 

Why?

Because he understood that team sports thrive on chemistry, synergy, and having a competitive advantage over opponents. 

For ice sports like hockey, these qualities apply. 

The more time you can gel, the bigger your chances of success.

---

PRACTICING ICE HOCKEY INDOORS ALL YEAR LONG WITH POLYGLIDE SYNTHETIC ICE

---

Team training can be challenging, especially with limited access to facilities like ice rinks. 

If you’re part of a team that participates in ice sports, synthetic ice opens new doors for everyone.

Indoor sports with synthetic ice are growing in popularity, but surfaces such as these can be leveraged for team training during all seasons. 

Popular Indoor Sports with Synthetic Ice

Synthetic ice is not new. Similar ice rinks have been around since the 1960s.

What has changed is the technology, versatility, and performance. 

Simply put, a synthetic ice rink is a series of tiles or panels that connect to form an ice skating surface. 

The best synthetic ice is a 1-piece panel with interlocking dovetail edges, allowing them to connect securely without disrupting performance (no pins or dowels).

Each tile is a special polyethylene designed to imitate the look and function of a natural ice rink. 

This material is infused with special slip agents to give it the slickness required for real ice skating without compromising durability.

Synthetic ice is great for popular ice sports like figure skating and hockey but can be used in other scenarios.

Curling, ice dancing, and niche sports like ringette are other examples.

Flat, smooth surfaces like synthetic ice can even facilitate non-ice sports.

The possibilities are endless. 

Pros and Cons of Synthetic Ice Rinks

Synthetic ice rinks are growing in popularity for their versatility and adaptability.

As you can determine how many tiles you need, create large and small rinks relative to your space. 

It’s suitable for various training activities in hockey, such as passing, shooting, and skating skills, and figure skating like spins, jumps, and choreography. 

As rinks are easy to install, you can move or remove them, creating a multi-purpose space.

The polyethylene composition makes synthetic ice durable, lasting 10 or more years. 

This durability makes outdoor and indoor sports with synthetic ice possible in all seasons. 

Some types of synthetic ice, perform better with extended use.

A synthetic ice rink is the most cost-effective way to set up an indoor rink that performs similarly to a refrigerated ice rink. 

Synthetic ice has some drawbacks.

While cost-effective compared to a refrigerated ice rink, you’ll still need an upfront investment for a large rink.

You’ll also need to have a liquid slip surface agent on standby to avoid poor-performing tiles. 

There is also a noticeable difference in friction compared to natural ice.

However, high-quality synthetic ice improves the coefficient of friction to less than 10%. 

At the same time, that additional friction can translate into stronger, faster skating on natural ice. 

Your Ideal Indoor Settings

Ice sports teams can set up synthetic ice in commercial, residential, or mobile settings:

1. Commercial spaces like team training facilities, gyms, community centers, and sports complexes are some of the best locations for synthetic ice. It’s the most cost-effective space for competition-sized synthetic ice. The spaces are also available throughout the year.
2. Residential spaces like large basements, garages, or backyards can facilitate rinks and group training. For instance, the defensemen or goalies of a hockey team can meet up to work on specific skills. Collegiate ice skating teams can have individual or group training sessions in the off-season. 
3. Synthetic ice also has mobile applications. Slideboards, which are 4-6ft pieces of synthetic ice, provide a low-impact, lower-body conditioning or active recovery. Infused shooting pads or curved training pads allow you to work on ‘ice’ anywhere and at any time. 

Team Training Strategies on Synthetic Ice

How do synthetic ice rinks translate into better training?

You can save time gearing up or traveling to a refrigerated ice rink.

Get the bare essentials to work on skill development.

Focus on individual skills overlooked in team practices like stick handling, long-range shooting, or reflexes.

Figure skating teams can also use synthetic ice for skills development.

Teams also thrive on coordination and synthetic ice provides an excellent opportunity to work on drills that enhance teamwork and strategy. 

For instance, work on specific drills in tight spaces.

Change the shape of the rink so the team can work on drills and strategies based on the length or width of the ice.

When you narrow the playing surface, the team gets more accustomed to running plays or navigating out of tough situations.

Synthetic ice also opens the door for specialized training programs.

Coaches can create plans to help players with specific weaknesses.

These plans can then be executed on synthetic ice in commercial spaces or at home. 

Maintenance and Care for Synthetic Ice

Keeping synthetic ice in top shape gets overlooked, but it plays a major role in long-term performance and surface quality. 

Synthetic ice is easy to clean and maintain.

As skating with blades creates shavings, remove these before every session.

A soft broom or similar cleaning tool can help.

Periodically clean the surface with warm, soapy water, then reapply your slip surface age

To maintain surface quality, perform the basic cleaning of shavings, dust, and debris daily and the deeper cleaning 1-2 times weekly depending on use.

Cover or store away small tiles or panels when not in use, ensuring that the panels are completely dry before storing to prevent mold or warping. 

Check your tiles occasionally for damage, especially if you feel like your skating quality has declined. Team training on synthetic ice can impact durability.

With the right maintenance, synthetic ice will hold up to the demands of all skaters. 

Improve Team Performance with Synthetic Ice

Synthetic ice rinks provide a significant advantage for teams trying to improve their skills, strengths, and strategies. 

From a team perspective, large synthetic ice rinks provide a durable indoor and outdoor training surface.

Synthetic ice is also versatile, so individuals can get tiles or panels of their own to continue conditioning at home. 

You get the maximum benefit indoors with the rinks for multiple indoor sports. 

If you’re a coach, sports complex owner, or athlete trying to improve their game, consider our Pro Glide Panels for a durable, double-sided surface that gives you optimal skating performance for years. 

Conclusion

As we've explored, synthetic ice presents an innovative and highly effective solution for ice hockey team training, especially in indoor settings.

This versatile material not only mimics the feel and glide of real ice but also offers year-round accessibility, bypassing the limitations of traditional ice rinks.

Teams can significantly enhance their training sessions, focusing on skill development, strategy implementation, and consistent practice, all within the convenience of their own facilities.

The durability and low maintenance of synthetic ice ensure that it remains cost-effective over time, making it an excellent long-term investment for sports organizations at all levels.

Furthermore, the ability to install synthetic ice in virtually any space opens up new opportunities for teams in regions where ice time is scarce or expensive.

By integrating synthetic ice into their training regimen, teams can expect marked improvements in players' skating skills, game tactics, and overall fitness.

It is clear that synthetic ice is not just a feasible alternative but a strategic asset for indoor sports facilities looking to elevate their hockey programs.

For teams aiming to gain a competitive edge while maximizing training efficiency, synthetic ice is undoubtedly one of the best tools available in today’s sports landscape.