Five Items You Need To Dress Like A Hockey Player

Up to hitting the ice with friends for a friendly game of hockey? Or are you setting up a street hockey match with your neighbors? Whatever you have in mind, make sure that you think about safety first. Hockey players don't wear all that gear for nothing. Sure, it looks cool, but the gear is functional as well. So before you step out and forget that you are off to play some hockey, here are a few of things that you need to wear and things you need for the game itself.

• Safety Gear – Again, safety is always first. So you will need to protect the parts of your body that can be easily damaged in this sport. First, get yourself a good helmet; one that fits and is neither too loose nor too tight. You should also have some great shoulder pads and something to protect your chest area in case you have a few run-ins on the ice street while playing. Some knee pads and shin guards are the next items on the safety list. And lastly, you will need a pair of really great skates that will not hurt your ankles while you glide on them on the ice or on the street.

• The stick – Hockey is all about using that hockey stick to hit the puck around into its respective goal. So depending on your height, get a hockey stick that is neither too tall nor too short. Hockey sticks are usually made of wood or of graphite; it really depends on your preference which one you want to use. The important thing is that the stick you get shouldn't be too heavy. In fact, it's best to get a light and durable one that you can move around with.

• Face guard – Every hockey helmet has a faceguard on it but you will be surprised to know that there are some that don't and you will most probably have to buy the guard itself as an extra attachment. This is rare but if you have one of the older helmets that doesn't have the faceguard on it, you should either get a new helmet or have a guard customized for the helmet that you have at the moment. This is to avoid the puck from doing any damage in case it flies to your face.

• Gloves – Hockey gloves not only keep your hands warm but they are also used to protect your hands in case sticks find their way flying towards your fist and wrist areas. These are an essential item to have especially on the ice where the game of hockey becomes a game of speed more than anything else.

• The field – Perhaps you don't have an ice rink to play hockey on. The great thing is that hockey can be enjoyed on the street as well. All the previous items you will still need. The difference is that the puck will need to be one built specifically for street hockey and you will need a couple of goals. Otherwise, you will end up hitting that puck up and down the street with no real goal for the game.