Hockey is one of Canada’s favorite winter sports, and for good reason. Not only is it fast-paced and exciting to watch, but it also demands a lot from your body, mind, and soul. If you want to excel at this exhilarating game, you have to put in the work. There are several components to success in hockey, and knowing how to dress appropriately and carry yourself properly is an important part of the process. Here are some useful tips on how to put on hockey equipment and show the world your game!
Table of Contents
Choose The Perfect Outfit
When you step onto the ice for a game, everything around you will be geared toward helping you perform at your best. This includes your equipment. Choosing the right equipment will increase your effectiveness as a player, so it’s important to take your time in choosing the right skates, gloves, and helmets. You will also need to look into the size of the shoes and pants you will need to wear, as they affect your overall look and performance on the ice. Of course, the choice of clothing depends on the temperature of the game, so make sure you are well-prepared for the conditions ahead of time.
Hockey players tend to be very practical, and they don’t necessarily like flashy or pretty clothing. Instead, they usually prefer classic colors like black, white, and blue, while equipment manufacturers also produce special edition jerseys for hockey players. One of the best places to get equipment is Hockey Canada, where you can find all the gear you need, including the jerseys and pants for the members of the Canadian National Team. They also provide you with the equipment you need for other international events, as well as information about joining a local hockey league. If you’re interested in playing hockey, they can help you get on the right track, professionally, even if you’re just a beginner. They can also provide you with information about becoming a coach or an official once you’ve mastered the game.
Dress In The Dark
One of the first things a referee will tell you after you’ve scored a goal is to come off the ice and put your helmet on. This is because hockey helmets were invented to keep the light out, due to the frequent use of flood lights in the day time. Now that the game has evolved and more and more teams use night games, the need for a hockey helmet has decreased. However, whenever you wear a helmet in hockey, you must wear it in the dark. This is for your own safety as much as anything else, so that you can’t be blinded by the lights when playing.
Use The Right Stereotypes
One of the most vital things you need to do to be successful in hockey is to put your ego aside and follow the advice of your coaches and teammates. When you do this, you will develop an excellent sense of teamwork, and you will respect and like the people you’re working with. This will definitely help you gel well with the rest of the team, and it will make you a better person overall. Hockey players usually want to work hard for their team, and showing effort is the key to gaining the coaches’ respect.
Learn To Use Your Body
The main purpose of the skates you wear is to move you quickly and effortlessly around the ice. However, that doesn’t mean you should be afraid to use your body when skating. When you learn to use your body in the right way, it will become an extension of your leg. This will allow you to drive hard to the net, hit the corners hard, and decelerate quickly when defending against attackers. It will also improve your overall balance and agility, making it easier for you to check opposing players and stick with the puck. When you put these qualities together, you will become a highly effective skater and hockey player.
Always Prepare For The Weather
The temperature can take a big factor in whether or not you’ll be able to play hockey. If it’s too cold, you’ll feel stiff and uncomfortable, but if it’s too hot, you’ll also feel irritated. It’s important to prepare for the weather, so you don’t have to rush to change your equipment or play in discomfort. Knowing when to bundle up and when to shed some of your clothing is something experienced players learn very quickly.
Wash And Polish Your Skates And Hockey Gear Regularly
When you play hockey, you’ll be inevitably going from game to game, which can lead to your gear getting dirty or wet. If this happens, you must clean and polish it carefully to ensure it doesn’t affect your gameplay. It’s also a good idea to get some bike gear care kits, which have cleaning products and instructions to help you get your gear looking new again. If you wear something dirty or moist on the ice, your performance will be greatly diminished, even if it’s just for a short period of time.
Don’t Forget The Basics
To be a successful hockey player, you must start with the basics. In terms of skills, speed, and strength are important, but knowing how to work the pads of your gloves and perform simple stickhandling are crucial. Even if you’re not exactly sure what all these terms mean, you must learn how to do them before you can begin to progress. Make sure you’re aware of the fundamentals of the game so that your skills translate into actual on-ice performance, no matter what level you’re playing at.
Watch Your Mouth
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is talking too much during a game. Even if you’re having fun, you must understand that the other team is as well, and they’d rather you keep your eyes open and on the game. Make sure you’re only talking when necessary, and save your chatter for after the game. This will help you develop a more professional attitude, and it will make you a better hockey player as a result.
Learn To Deal With Defeat
Defeat is a necessary part of the game. Everyone experiences it, even the best of the best. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be devastating. As previously stated, a lot of hockey players are very practical, and they know how to react to setbacks. When you learn to deal with defeat, it will help you bounce back stronger, and it will even make you enjoy future wins more. The main thing is that you learn to enjoy the challenge, and take pride in your ability to overcome problems.
Hockey Canada is the best place to begin your search for the perfect hockey equipment, whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for a new upgrade. They have a wide variety of products, including goalies’ gear, skates, sticks, helmets, and more. They also have specialized teams that can help you choose the right equipment for the type of hockey you like to play. They are highly recommended by experts around the world, and they have helped countless hockey players find the gear they need to be successful.
Hockey isn’t exactly easy to play, and it takes a while to become really good at. However, with the tips and advice above, you can’t help but become a better hockey player. It might not be for everyone, but those who enjoy the physicality of the game will gain a lot from these tips.