Eight Must Have Hockey Gears

A complete set of hockey gears must be worn during a game in order for a player to have maximum protection. Here are some of the hockey gears each hockey player must have.

1. Skates. This is one important hockey gear that each hockey player must have. It is utterly impossible to play ice hockey without skates and even when playing regular hockey you still need skates.

Each player has to be fitted with skates. The skate should fit his feet properly. It should not be too tight or too loose. Before sizing, abnormalities or deformities of the foot should be noted because some malformation can affect the comfort of the skates.

The player should never wear skates without socks. Socks reduce friction between the insides of the skate and the feet. There should be space between the back of the skate and the heel about a finger width. When wearing skates, the laces should never be tied around the ankle because this can inhibit blood flow.

2. Shin Pads. The shin pads are used to protect the shin bone of the leg. The shin bone is a long bone and if subjected to extreme force or impact, it can end up shattered or fractured.

The shin pads reduce the force of impact thus, reducing the risk for fractures. When fitting a shin pad, a loose fitting skate should be worn. This will help determine the actual length of the pad. If the pad is too short, the unprotected areas can be exposed and at risk for injuries. To know if the shin pad has the right length, you have to take note that the cap should be centered on the knee cap and the bottom part should fit the area where the foot and leg meets.

3. Shoulder Pads, Arm Pads and Back Pads. This is used to protect the shoulder joints, the back and the chest area. Each hockey player should wear one while practicing or during a game.

One requirement for shoulder pads is that it should be able to provide protection to the shoulder joints in a full range of motion. The arm pads should end just above the elbows in order to provide maximum protection to the upper arm without reducing the mobility of the limbs.

The back pads, on the other hand, should end just above the pants. These pads should be of the right size because if it is too short, some areas will be exposed and if it is too long, it will simply limit or affect the player's mobility.

4. Elbow Pads. The reason why the arm pads should not go beyond the elbow is because there is another protective gear designed specifically for the elbows. To fit an elbow pad properly, the elbow point should be placed inside the circular area inside the elbow pad and all straps must be secured properly. The top of the elbow pad should be in contact with the bottom part of the arm pads while the bottom part of the elbow pads should end and fit inside the glove.

5. Throat Protector. You cannot tell when accidents like a stick hitting the neck will happen so it is best to be prepared all the time. The throat is one vulnerable part of a hockey player's body so as much as possible it should be protected as well. To protect the throat, a throat protector should be worn. For maximum protection, it should fit snugly and cover the whole throat area.

6. Helmet and Face Mask. In a full contact sport, it is essential that the head and face should be protected at all times. The brain may be protected by the skull but when subjected to strong impact, the skull can crack and the brain can end up injured.

The same thing goes for the face. Without the face mask, the face is at risk for injuries. The helmet should be secured at all times so the chin straps should be well fastened.

7. Stick. Hockey won't be hockey without the hockey stick. The hockey stick is an indispensable tool. Without this gear, it would be impossible to play the game. The hockey stick can be made from various materials, each material having its own advantages and disadvantages. The type of stick will depend on the player's preference as long as he or she is comfortable using it. It should be of the right size as well.

8. Jock or Jill Strap. This is one hockey gear provided in order to protect the private parts of the hockey players. These parts are not spared from the physical aspect of the game and there are times when during a tackle, another player may end up accidentally hitting it with a stick, elbow or knee. The cups should fit snugly in order for it to be able to do its function. When choosing jock straps, the size should be considered.