Friday, August 6, 2010

A glance through hockey protective gears

Being involved in a full contact sport, ice hockey players are prone to injuries. Hence, it becomes vital for players to use protective gears before heading onto the field. A wide range of protective equipment is recommended for ice hockey players, which are mandatory in competitive games. This article is intended to give you an insight of the ice hockey protective gears.

Face Masks: From junior level to college and university players, wearing face masks along with the helmet is a must. Few helmets accompany a face mask, whereas others require the user to buy one separately. Today, you can find neck protectors to be used along with the helmets for added safety of the player. Face masks are available in three different types, namely wire cage, shield/visor, and combination masks.

Wire Cage: It is a shield made of metal or composite wire and is used to cover the entire face area, including the jaw. Some wire cages have chin protector as an added advantage.
Shield/Visor: Designed to cover the front of the face, hockey shields are made from clear plastic with scratch and impact-resistant properties. Ice hockey players prefer this mask as it provides better overall vision. Full face shields and half shields are the two sub-sets of hockey shields. One disadvantage with this face mask is that it gets fogged up while in use. To prevent this, it is being manufactured with fog-resistant coating, and de-fogging sprays are also available for the purpose.
Combination Masks: As the name goes, it is the combination of the wire cage and the shield. Upper part of the mask is a shield to protect eyes, and the lower part constitutes wire mesh for optimal ventilation and safety of the jaw.

Helmets: Every hockey player should use a helmet with adequate padding to get rid of injuries. They are generally made of polycarbonate as it is light in weight. It is recommended to use hockey helmets of 5/8 inch thickness. While buying a helmet, make sure that it perfectly fits the head. Today, you can find helmets with ear protectors and built-in vents for added safety and comfort. Before deciding, check whether the helmet you have chosen complies with the safety requirements.

Mouth guards: Protection to the users' teeth, tongue, lips, and cheeks are offered by mouth guards. In addition, they aid in preventing neck and head injuries. They are available in pre-mold form and also can be boiled to soften and bitten down to mold. As players of all level require mouth guards, they are manufactured in general sizes.

Pads: Due to the adverse nature of the sports, it becomes vital for hockey players to use an array of protective pads. As pads are available in a wide range of sizes, a thorough search on the internet would better aid finding the perfect size. Let’s have a look at the various types of hockey pads and their usage.

Shoulder Pads: These pads are used not just for protection from pucks, but also from bodily contacts, hence optimal padding is required to absorb impacts when hit. Shoulders, collarbone, upper chest, upper arms, and back are well-protected with a high-quality shoulder pads. There are shoulder pads with extra lower-back protection as a part, and in some, it comes as an attachment.
Elbow Pads: They eliminate the incidence of bone bruises and fractured elbows due to falls or hits by hockey sticks. These pads offer protection right from below the shoulder pads till the gloves. To suit varied hand sizes, most elbow pads are adjustable.
Shin Pads: A hockey player can expect a hit from opponent's stick or puck anytime; hence it is wise to be equipped to prevent the impact of such encounters. A shin pad is intended to be fit over the knee cap and ensure safety to the user's legs. The weight of the shin pads used by offenders is generally less than the ones used by defenders.

Gloves: Hockey gloves can be called good only if they ensure optimal protection, comfort, and flexibility to the hands and wrists of the user. Earlier, only leather was used in the making of gloves. Nowadays, Kevlar and nylon used along with leather to enhance the strength, comfort, and longevity. As they are available in a range of sizes, it is wise to find out which size is ideal for you.

Ear Protectors: Not just safety to ears, this piece of protective gear is used for that extra warmth from the bone chilling cold weather.

Pants: They are worn in such a way that they reach the top of the shin pads and should be lengthy enough to reach the waist. Hockey pants usually come with padding in the upper leg and midsection area and offer protection to spine, thighs, tail bone, kidneys, and hips of the user.

Jocks and Underwear: Grater, an elastic band with four straps hanging around, is used to hold the socks in place. A hook is attached to the end of each strap for the purpose. Nowadays, grates with Velcro are also available.

No hockey player would risk entering the field without a jock, a protective cup intended to protect the crotch area of the user. Some manufacturers combine jocks and graters as one unit for the comfort of the players.

If you aim to become a pro in ice hockey but are puzzled where to avail these gears, worry not! There is an array of online sports stores who strive to offer the best in the market.

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