Are you thinking about taking up hockey? This is a sport that is played in schools, universities, and sports clubs up and down the country. However, before you get started, you need to have a basic understanding of the essential hockey equipment. With that being said, below we are going to introduce you to the hockey stick and reveal the other equipment that is available.
The hockey stick
The hockey stick is the most crucial piece of sports equipment you are going to need. Before you look for a stick, you need to understand the various parts. These are as follows – the handle, the head, the heel, the toe, the scoop, and the bow.
• The Bow – This is the slight bend running from the head to the handle.
• The Scoop – This is the groove in the head of the stick, which aids with cradling, ball control, and other manoeuvres.
• The Toe – This is where the head upturns. The toe comes in a number of different sizes and styles, catering to different playing styles.
• The Heel – The heel is the bend where the toe joins the head of the stick.
• The Head – This is the very bottom of the stick that makes contact with the ball and the field.
• The Handle – Finally, the handle, which is also referred to as the grip and the shaft, is the top end of the stick, which allows you to manoeuvre and swing with ease.
This should help you to understand the components of the hockey stick better. When choosing a stick, there are many different factors to take into account, including weight, composition, bow, toe design, size, position, and level of play.
Additional hockey equipment
A hockey stick is not the only thing you are going to need if you are to enjoy this sport and play to the best of your ability. You will, of course, require a ball, and the correct clothing is a must. This is especially in regard to protective equipment. A mouthguard is a must if you are playing this sport while you will also need to invest in gloves and shin pads too.
Thinking of becoming a goalie?
Hockey is a fast-paced game with two teams trying to score against each other; game time is fairly short too, as this resource on how long is a hockey game will attest to. The puck used in this game is hard and can inflict serious injuries on the goalie. For this reason the goalie must have the right equipment, as well as taking fitness courses to build strength. The importance of finding the right hockey equipment for a goalie cannot be stressed enough.
Make sure the products purchased are of a proper fitting. This is important as it not only protects the goalie from harm but also allows him to carry out his tasks with ease and accuracy. The goalie equipment bought by a team must be designed to afford protection and performance.
The goalie’s equipment comprises of the following:
• Goalie pads
• Gloves
• Mask
• Helmet
• Stick
• Skates
a. Goalie pads
The goalie usually wears two kinds of pads, i.e. the leg pad and the chest pad. The pads are made of foam interior and an exterior of synthetic leather. The leg pad protects the leg from the impact of a speeding rubber puck shot at the goalie. The leg pad chosen must fit the goalie’s leg size perfectly. The pad must be comfortable and must allow easy movement for the individual. The chest pad serves to protect the chest and heart areas against the impact of the speeding puck. The chest protector is made of nylon and foam and has a spine protector at the backside.
b. Gloves
The goalie’s gloves are normally of two types; the blocker and the catcher. The blocker is worn on the non-stick hand and is designed for blocking and defecting pucks shot at the goalie. The catcher is worn on the stick hand and is used to catch shots directed to the goal post.
c. Goalie’s mask and helmet
The masks worn by goalies come in an array of styles. The style is chosen by a goalie primarily depends on the goalie’s taste and preference. The mask chosen must provide comfort and superior protection. The composite wire mesh included in the mask allows for viewing while at the same time offering a shield for the individual. The helmet is made from a hard-shell plastic. These are worn on the head for protection. The helmets have adjustable padding that can be altered by the goalie for a better fit. An adult’s medium or large helmet normally fits on the head of many teenage or adult goalies.
d. Goalie Stick
The goalie stick comes in a variety of lengths. The sticks are larger and heavier than the normal sticks used by the other hockey players. The goalie’s stick has a much wider blade and a wide paddle area. The paddle can be as long as 25 inches with a blade measuring 16 inches.
e. Goalie skates
And finally, the goalie skate is composed of two parts i.e. the blade and the boot. The boot is made from a combination of leather and some synthetic material. This ensures that the boots manufactured will be long-lasting and will afford maximum performance. The blades maintain contact with the ice and allow mobility to the goalie.
