There is no sport that requires more equipment than hockey. Players are suited up like knights going to battle, and this is for good reason. Hockey is a sport that has a lot of contact, so it is important to have the right gear in order to stay safe and injury-free. Follow this guide to select the essential hockey equipment properly.

Skates

The hockey skates are perhaps the most important piece of equipment. This is one area where money shouldn’t be skimped. The ability to skate properly and make fast turns is essential in hockey. It helps players avoid contact and play better.

Hockey skates fit smaller than regular footwear, so start by trying a pair one size smaller than your normal shoe size. Hockey skates need to fit as snugly as possible, because only tight-fitting skates will allow proper skating form. It may seem awkward at first to have such a constricting piece of footwear on, but players rapidly get used to it.

The Helmet

Just like the hockey skates, the helmet needs to fit very snugly. It should also have ear protection if it is for a child. Players of all levels should get a face shield or cage on the front of the helmet, because just because someone is hockey player doesn’t mean that they should be missing teeth.

Upper Body Pads

Shoulder pads should fit snugly and not move around. They should be thick for defenseman that need to block shots, but offensive players can wear lighter padding to allow them to move more quickly.

Elbow pads need to fit securely enough so that they don’t slip around, but they should not be so tight that they do not allow a full flex of the elbow.

Hockey gloves are very thick, and that is for good reason. Hand injuries are among the most frequent in the sport. The thumb especially is susceptible to injury in hockey, so be sure to get a glove with a very stiff thumb that keeps it from being bent back unnaturally.

Lower Body Pads

The padding that goes into the hockey pants needs to be as thick as possible without restricting movement. The hip and tailbone pads in particular need to be quite thick, as they absorb a lot of impact when players fall on the ice or crash into the boards.

Shin guards should fit snugly around the kneecap and run down to the top of the skates. This is another area where defensemen need to wear thicker pads than offensive players. Shin guards will block a lot of shots, and thicker shin guards will take a lot of the sting out of a rocketing puck.

The Stick

The general guide for stick length is that from between a player’s feet the stick should touch the tip of the nose. Wooden sticks are the least expensive, but serious players should definitely go with a carbon fiber or aluminum stick for maximum performance. Aluminum sticks will last the longest of the three types.

The leaders in hockey supplies provide an extensive inventory of hockey equipment including the latest hockey skates, hockey sticks, apparel and memorabilia.

The leaders in hockey supplies provide an extensive inventory of hockey equipment including the latest hockey skates, hockey sticks, apparel and memorabilia. http://www.prohockeylife.com/

Author Bio: The leaders in hockey supplies provide an extensive inventory of hockey equipment including the latest hockey skates, hockey sticks, apparel and memorabilia.

Category: Sports
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