One of the Areál ledových sportů ice-skating and hockey coaches will be František Turek (photo). His answers to several questions are bellow. 1) Does skating and movement on the ice surface have any significance for children’s sports development? Definitely has. This is another way how to expand the development of motor skills that children learn during their early childhood. Involvement the other than normal muscle parts is also a positive aspect. Balance and stability training is a part of the process as well. Movement is completely different, significantly strengthening the lower body. 2) Is it difficult to learn basic skating habits? What is the way to that? Generally yes. But the important thing is how people proceed and if the plan is to skate occasionally or regularly. The way to learn good skating habits involves off-ice preparation. The most important thing is to practice balance, and it can be trained in a combination of practices involving ice and off-ice training. 3) At what age it is best to start with ice hockey? Is it the same for boys and girls? It is best to start hockey at a younger school age (first class), but it all depends on the child’s physical and mental development. Parents are advised to have their child’s medical report before entering any sport. Nowadays boys train together with girls and there is no reason to change it. The differences between boys and girls are only in puberty, when boys start to use force. Girls have a better sense of gentle movement, even before puberty. 4) What do you think about apparant low level of youth motor skills? Do you see any way to improve the current level? And how?Everything is influenced by the way of life we live today. Children do not move naturally at all, e.g. on playgrounds, in the forests, with their parents or with their friends. They have a lot of limitations in physical education at schools. I see a way to improve this dismal state in the construction of new sports facilities near school facilities, whether supported by the state or the private sector. Especially by changing mind-sets in the family, in elementary schools and in society to encourage children to realize that sport activities could help them to be healthy. And all this can be transferred to other generations. In addition it is an opportunity to succeed in sport and possibly to reach the top level.