How to Get Fully Equipped for Ice Hockey

Playing competitive hockey involves a certain amount of risk. Fast-moving pucks, cross-checking and body checks make injuries in hockey a very real concern. Protective equipment allows you to play the game more than once.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

The Equipment

1. Start with the basics: a hockey stick, hockey skates, knee pads, a protective cup and jockstrap (for both sexes), a helmet with attached mouth guard, some hockey pucks and a pair of hockey gloves.

2. Add hockey socks, a garter belt, shoulder pads, elbow pads and (optionally) a neck protector. A huge hockey jersey will go over all of this.

3. Choose a form-fitting protective girdle with a covering nylon shell. This piece will protect you from mid-thigh up to your ribs. It's belted in place.

Getting Dressed

4. Put on your jockstrap with cup and strap and secure the garter belt around your waist. Make sure everything is snug but not too tight.

5. Put on your knee pads. Pull your hockey socks over your knee pads and secure them at the top with the garter belt.

6. Pull the girdle over your other equipment. Cover it with your nylon shell. Belt it in place.

7. Tie your skates tightly, with the bottom of your knee pad coming just to the tongue of your skate. Tape everything in place. Skates and knee pads are the most common equipment to be taped in place.

8. Pull on your shoulder and elbow pads, and then cover them with your hockey jersey. Put on your helmet and gloves, and you're ready to play.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a lot of gear, so you need to decide between mobility and greater protection if you have doubts whether you want to wear all of it.
• If you are just starting out, go for lower-end equipment until you've figured out what you like.
• All the equipment is adjustable. If it doesn't fit quite right the first time, try playing with the settings.
• Most of the equipment will take some time to break in.
• When in doubt, use athletic tape to make any piece fit better or feel more secure.
• Ice hockey is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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on 11/22/2005 Don't wear a cotton t-shirt under your pads. You'll get too hot and sweaty and you'll stay that way. Instead, buy a "cool-max" type of shirt. Long sleeve or short sleeve is a personal preference. You still get hot and sweaty if you're playing right ;) but the material wicks moisture away from you and you cool off quicker. Many sporting goods stores sell certain brands that cost $50+. I bought mine at Target for like $8. It doesn't have the nifty logo on it, but who cares? It works great.

on 11/22/2005 I play ice hockey. When finding a pair of gloves, make sure they come up at least a few inches above your wrist. This will protect you against possible broken wrists.

on 11/22/2005 I have played ice hockey for a few years and have found that you get much more protection from have your shin guards overlap the tongue of your skates. This provides more protection from bruises and possible broken ankles.