Hockey is a game that truly was made in Canada! Not only is it a popular sport there, but the country is also known for its hockey gloves. Let’s take a look at how you can soften up those mitts before heading into the game.
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Wear Thicker Is More Effective
What makes a good hockey glove is largely based on how well it fits the hand. Wider is not always better, as you can over-tighten the glove and create pain in the hand. Instead, you should opt for a narrower fit so that the material rests firmly against your palm. This will help with the stick handling and puck control in the game.
Goggles On Top Of Eyeglasses Are Key
When playing hockey, you don’t want to block your vision with your hands. This can lead to errors and accidents. For this reason, the hockey rule book suggests that you wear goggles on your forehead or cheeks whenever you are on the ice. With the goggles on, you can still see where you’re going and how you’re playing.
Get A Snag Free Mesh Sock
When the ice is dry, it is important that your feet are properly protected from injuries. The most crucial piece of safety equipment in this case is the snag-free mesh sock. These types of socks allow for improved air circulation around your toes, which prevents them from becoming cold and numb. In addition, they are also highly effective in preventing injuries to your ankles, shins, and knees from being severe.
Choose The Correct Size
When choosing the size of your hockey glove, bear in mind that you will need a larger one the bigger the glove player you are. For example, if you are a small person and play on a small rink, you will need a smaller glove. Larger players generally need larger gloves. This is mostly to provide better protection and better feel for the big hands!
Use Conditioning Cream
To keep the skin at your fingertips supple and plump, you must use a conditioning cream or lotion before playing. You can find these types of products at most drug stores and beauty hues, depending on your tastes. However, the preferred method for applying conditioning cream is hands-free. This way, you aren’t tempted to wipe off the cream with your hands, which would leave a visible track in the snow.
Wash The Glove Regularly
Even after all of these years, cleaning stubborn stains from your hockey gloves is still a common task. For this reason, you should hand wash your gloves before and after every use. The best way to do this is with soap and water. After washing, let the gloves dry completely before placing them in the storage unit.
Avoid Contact With Water
Apart from washing your hands before and after playing, it’s also essential that you keep your hands dry at all times while on the ice. You should never allow water to penetrate the surface of your gloves, as this could cause serious damage. If you do happen to get wet, immediately remove the water with a dry, clean cloth or towel.
Do Not Underestimate The Importance Of Friction
Although they aren’t as crucial as the other items on this list, your hands need to maintain good contact with the puck in order to play. This is why it’s important to add friction when washing your hands. After drying, you can reapply a moisturizer to keep hands supple and plump, ready for the next game.
Use Sunscreen
To prevent sun damage to your skin, you must protect it with sunscreen every day no matter the weather. You will be surprised how quickly your skin damages in the absence of proper sun protection. Not only that, but you will also end up looking older than you really are.
Avoid Going Into The Water
While in some cases it’s safe to submerge your hands in water to remove mud or dirt, this is not the case when playing hockey. Your goalies’ hands are undoubtedly the worst, as they have to take the abuse of catching pucks in deep water. If you are ever in doubt, it’s advised that you stay out of the water. Otherwise, you could end up with serious injuries from a slippery puck.
Play In A Shaded Area
As we’ve established, it’s important to keep your hands dry while on the ice. This being said, it’s also important to keep them warm, especially if you’re playing in a place with harsh weather conditions. One way of ensuring this is to play in a shaded area. Not only does this keep things comfortable for you, but it can also protect your hands from getting too cold.
Be Careful With The Puck
When throwing a puck, it’s essential that you do so with proper form. This means that you must keep your wrist straight and lock your elbow. In this way, the puck will travel in a smooth, arcing trajectory towards the net.
Treat The Puck Like A Hockey Stick
A lot of beginners make the mistake of treating a puck like a hockey stick. They extend their arm far back, as if they were trying to poke the puck away. Instead of extending your arm back, you must bend your elbow and bring the puck closer to your body. From there, you can throw it as hard as you want without worrying about hurting yourself.
Wear Protection
Whether you play inline, roller, or ice hockey, you must always wear protection on your hands and feet whenever you are on the rink. This will help prevent fractures and other serious injuries. In addition to this, it also helps to improve your game by keeping your hands free to handle the puck.
Practice Hand-eye Coordination
To improve your game, you must focus on your hand-eye coordination. This means that you must practice puck handling and shooting, as well as work on your reflexes. To start, practice shooting as often as possible and try out different positions, including one-handed and throwing from the side. This will help improve your accuracy and minimize the number of bad shots you make.
Take Breaks
To practice and increase your productivity, you must take breaks often. Depending on how long you have for your lunch break, you may choose to take a short one or go for a walk. Whatever it may be, you must take a break from whatever you are doing to focus on improving your game.
Consult With A Physician
Even though the majority of the items on this list aren’t life-threatening, it’s still a good idea to seek medical advice before continuing to play. If you do experience any pain, be sure to mention it to your physician. There are a variety of injuries that a rink can cause, ranging from bruises to crushes and lacerations. It’s important to find out what is causing your discomfort and how you can best avoid it in the future.
Use Ice
If possible, you should use ice to cool down after practicing. This is especially important if you have undergone a lot of activity and your body temperature is still rising. The ice will not only help cool you down, but it will also improve the blood circulation in your hands, making your body more relaxed.
Take Care Of Your Body
As we’ve established, your hands and feet must be protected from injuries while playing. This means that you must take care of your body in a different way than usual. While it’s not always easy to eat healthy and stay fit in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s worth it in the end. Make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid consuming too much sugar. You should also get plenty of sleep and make sure to exercise regularly. All of this will help keep you in good health so that you can enjoy your time playing hockey and improve your overall game.
Hopefully, these tips will help you play better hockey. Just remember to stay safe on the ice!