Hockey is a winter sport with many associated costs. Aside from the equipment, which can be expensive, there are lessons to be learned at almost every turn. You don’t need to be a professional hockey player to absorb some of these costs, but it certainly helps.
Table of Contents
The Equipment
Unlike other sports, hockey doesn’t use just one type of equipment. In fact, the equipment is so numerous that it can be difficult to know where to start. You’ll need protective gear as well as equipment to play the sport.
Protective Gear
To play hockey you’ll need protective gear such as helmets, chest protectors, and arm pads. Depending on the level of play and where you’ll be participating you might also need to wear mouth guards and eye protection. The list of protective gear goes on and it’s not always easy to know which type of gear to wear for which situation.
These items are crucial for preventing injuries. But aside from the physical aspect, hockey players also need to consider the mental aspect. Wearing protective gear while playing can help keep your mind in the game and focused on the task at hand. It can also help reduce the fear of injury, both physical and mental.
Hockey Rests
Taking a break during a game is crucial for both athletes and spectators alike. After all, players get exhausted and it’s not always easy for them to get back on the ice. During these breaks the players need a place to relax and regenerate. So in addition to the equipment above, you’ll also need a place to rest.
Hockey is a physically demanding sport and in order to maintain their performance levels, players need to take regular breaks. During these breaks, coaches often come to the ice to speak with players and offer them some encouragement. The coaches may also give the players some specific exercises to do while they’re resting.
On the other side of the spectrum you have the referees who are working tirelessly to keep the game at a fast pace and keep order on the ice. The stress level is very high and they need proper rest as well.
Ice Hockey
Finally, you have the rink itself. Even if you play in a large town, chances are the rink won’t be large enough to accommodate all of the participants. This means you’ll have some people who will have to go and sit on the ice, or stand in the corners, or even leave the building because there’s nowhere else for them to go.
In order to make sure everyone has a good time and that the game is organized, rinks are often times arranged in a horseshoe shape. This means there’s nowhere to sit and less room for everyone to maneuver.
Lessons
Aside from the equipment above, there are a lot of things you’ll have to learn as a hockey player. Some of these things can be expensive and it’s worth noting. There are also a lot of opportunities for you to learn from these costs. For example, you may feel intimidated at first by the mental challenge of playing hockey. But eventually it will all make sense and you’ll be looking back on the experience as a positive one.
Another example is the value of teamwork. Even though hockey is a team sport, it also requires a lot of individual initiative and self-awareness. You’ll have to learn to rely on your teammates more and trust your own decisions. This is not always an easy lesson to learn, but it is priceless once you do.
The list of costs associated with hockey goes on and on. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. Playing hockey is so much fun and it can also be a great way to meet new people. Just make sure you have the money to pay for all of this! Good luck out there.