You know what they say about the way hockey players are: no matter what the occasion is, be it practice or a game, they always look sharp and comfortable.
While it’s true that hockey players always look cool and collected on the ice, off the ice they may not be as cool and collected as they appear. Even when they’re not playing hockey, they’re always thinking about it or talking about it, which is probably why they hate to take their helmets off when not playing. If you’re one of these players, you’ll know what I mean because there’s always that nagging pain that you have to endure when taking your helmet off. It’s not that your head aches after every single game, but you would swear that it will eventually start aching after every single game you play. It’s not fair to the head.
As a hockey goalie, your head is always protected, but there’s more to your gear than just your helmet. You need protection from the ice, the puck, and the referees. That’s a lot to ask for, which is probably why goalies are among the most exposed players when it comes to getting hurt. When a goalie takes a hit to the head or body, it’s usually not from another player, but rather from a puck or a deflected shot. Pucks and shots can hurt a lot more than you’d think, especially when they’re headed in your general direction. There’s also the added danger of getting hit by a puck that’s been shot from outside the restricted area. It’s a lot more common to get hurt when not wearing a helmet than it is when you’re wearing one. If you’re going to take a hit, you might as well do it with a smile because you’re going to be covered from head to toe and your head will stay intact. On the whole, though, goalies usually stay cool and collected during practice and games because they know how important it is to protect their heads during those times. Otherwise, the day can get really messy really quick and you don’t want to risk ruining your game or your practice.
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Which Pads Do Goalies Wear?
Although they’re not always visible because they’re usually located behind the net, the mainstay of a goalie’s equipment is their pads. When it comes to protection, you want to go for a pair of big, beefy pads that will stick to your body like glue and keep the puck away. Don’t expect your goalie coach to hand out bunny rabbit pads or jellyfish pads. They may look funny, but they won’t do the trick when it comes to puck protection. Big and beefy are the key words here.
The pads that you select should have an elastic strap around the top that allows you to strap them to your chest. The more the chest is protected, the less likely it is to be injured. You don’t want to choose a pair of pads with a velcro fastener because when the moment of truth arrives, you’ll have trouble removing them in case of an emergency. You don’t want to mess with velcro when you’re already in the middle of a game or practice because chances are you’ll end up ripping off some skin. Velcro is for things that don’t move, like your car’s visor or the zipper on your partner’s dress. When it comes to protecting your head, you want something that’s going to stay in place and stay in place for the duration of the game.
Why Helmets Are Important
Besides pads, goalies also wear a helmet. When choosing a helmet, make sure that you go for a model that’s at the forefront of helmet technology. It’s all about the fit and the finish. You don’t want to choose a model that’s falling apart or that’s not comfortable on your head because you’ll end up having a poor performance no matter what. A good helmet is going to be both comfortable and secure, which is why fit is vital. Some of the more advanced helmets that you can get are also vented, which provides your head with more oxygen and cuts down on the dizziness that you get after a long period of inactivity. Did you know that your brain needs oxygen to function properly? It needs a constant supply of oxygen to function at its best. If you’re playing a game or engaging in a physical activity, your body’s requirement for oxygen is going to increase, which is why you need to keep your head protected when not engaged in activities that require mental exertion. This is why during a game, it’s often advisable for the defensemen to take a seat and allow the goalie to operate independently. The role of the defenseman is mostly to protect the goalie’s blind side and clear the front of the net, which also prevents the goalie from seeing shots coming towards him. This reduces the chances of getting hurt. It also means that the defensemen get a break and can rest a little while the goalie works hard.