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Learn to Play Ball Hockey
The Washington Capitals Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play program offers ball hockey clinics to kids ages 5-17 in order to provide FREE access to the game for kids and families across the Washington D.C. area who have never participated in the sport before. Each participant will learn the basics of hockey (stickhandling, passing, and shooting) and will receive a hockey stick and ball to take home following the event to encourage continued development. Clinics are held at various Washington Capitals outdoor ball hockey rinks in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. This program is designed to be an introduction to the game for the participants and the first opportunity to reach the families in our community who are looking for more affordable options to play.
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Ages 5-17
- Cost: FREE!
- One-day clinic - players may register for multiple clinics throughout the year
- Clinics hosted at Capitals ball/inline hockey rinks across the DMV
- All participants take home a straight-blade hockey stick, ball, and t-shirt
summer 2025 schedule
| Date: | Time: | Location: | Address: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 23rd | 10:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m | Lake Fairfax Park | 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA 20190 |
Frequently asked questions
about sticks & sneakers
Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play is a first of its kind initiative that provides a unique opportunity for families to join the hockey community through an affordable and accessible program. Participants will develop fundamental skills to help them succeed through hockey and beyond. This program aims to be the gold standard in providing access to the game by addressing the various barriers associated with ice hockey. Sticks and Sneakers Learn to Play changes the narrative that hockey is an expensive sport by providing a cost-effective way for children to participate in our market. This program provides a new opportunity for aspiring players to be involved in the game by focusing on developing a youth journey through off-ice hockey.
The program provides free off-ice hockey equipment for your child to keep as they continue exploring youth hockey. There is, however, a participation fee of $25 per class, which offsets facility and coaching expenses.
The Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play Ball Hockey program is offered to new, first-time participants between the ages of five (5) to fourteen (14).
No, this program is for ball hockey only and does not require skates. All participants will be required to wear proper athletic footwear (Crocs, flip-flops, sandals, Vans, Birkenstocks are prohibited). Participants who arrive wearing any of the prohibited footwear items listed above will be asked to change their shoes prior to stepping onto the ball hockey rink.
The schedule for the spring/summer 2025 sessions can be found above.
Registration
Click the REGISTER NOW button above and select the rink you would like to register for. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation e-mail with next steps. Please check your SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder, as this e-mail may not arrive straight to your inbox.
We are sorry to hear that and hope there will be another opportunity to participate in the future! Unfortunately, there are no refunds once registration is complete. Please email youthhockey@washcaps.com with any questions.
If you have successfully registered each child for the same session, then they will be at the rink at the same time. However, coaches may split the class up into different groups for drills throughout the program.
USA Hockey is the governing body of ice hockey activities and does not regulate or control off-ice hockey. Therefore, a USA Hockey registration number is not needed to participate in the Sticks & Sneakers program.
Sessions
We would like everyone to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to your first session in order to sign-in, receive your equipment, and ask any questions you may have for the coaches.
Please make sure to let your coach know that you will not be attending a certain class.
Equipment
Upon registration, each participant will receive complimentary equipment from Franklin Sports Inc. Participants will receive their equipment prior to the first class of their session.
The equipment provided includes: a stick and a ball. Upon graduation, each participant will receive a hockey puck as a part of their graduation gift. Participants keep the equipment upon graduating from the Sticks & Sneakers program.
Protective gear (mouth guard, eye wear, shin pads, elbow pads, gloves, etc.) is not required, but participants may purchase additional equipment on their own if deemed necessary.
Next Steps/Continue to Play
The Washington Capitals encourage all Sticks and Sneakers Learn to Play participants to continue playing hockey!
COMING FALL 2025: Capitals Ball Hockey League
To be able to register for our upcoming Ball Hockey League, it is required to complete at least one Sticks & Sneakers class at any location.
*additional details on the league to come*
Talk to your coach or email us at youthhockey@washcaps.com for the best next step program.
As the Caps Youth Hockey Development team continues to create awareness of ball hockey and grow the interest among the community, you are allowed to register your child for more than one Sticks & Sneakers Learn to Play session (subject to change).