Each player has their own preference for hockey skates. Each person is unique in how they treat their skates, from how they're constructed to fit them to the maintenance and care required to maintain them. This complete guide will explain all you need to know about the skates you wear. LacingLaces are either waxed or not. Briefly put, waxed laces are preferred by skaters who like their skates to fit tight or who want their skates to fit more tightly in certain areas of their boot. Laces that are not waxed are preferred by those who prefer a looser fitting boot across the entire. Make sure you read our article fully explaining the distinctions between different types of lace here. Skate laces can be measured quickly since they come with a size chart at the back. If you don't have a chart you can get the general lace sizing guide here. Youth 8.0 - Junior 1.5 skates need 72" laces Junior 2.0 - 3.5 skates need 84" laces Junior 4.0 - 5.5 skates need 96" laces Senior 6.0 - 8.5 skates need 108" laces Senior 9.0 - 12.0 skates need 120" laces Now that you have the right laces, it's time to attach them to your skates. What's the distinction between "in-to" and "out-to", and what are they referring to? Lacing "in-to-out" (pictured left) is the normal way that skates and shoes are lacing. This lacing method will give athletes a more snug fit, but also the risk of losing comfort. The tongue will experience greater pressure from the lacing. Lacing "out-to-in" (pictured right) is where the lace is pulled over the eyelet before being returned to its original position. This technique will offer greater comfort and decrease the possibility of lace bite because the tension is applied laterally, not downwards. Thus, there is no pressure directly applied to the tongue or the top of the foot. Lace Bite & Blister TreatmentEven with properly-fitted skates, players can still experience blisters and lace bites, especially during the process of breaking in. Lace bite can occur when the skates are not fitting properly and can cause "hot spots," small blisters, or cysts that appear on the upper part of the foot. The bite of lacing can be prevented by either changing how the skates are laced, or by inserting gel on the affected areas. Elite Hockey makes three different gel pads to provide foot pain relief - lace bite gel pads, Achilles gel pads, and ankle gel pads. The lace bite gel pads are placed in the tongue to distribute pressure and lessen the pinching sensation caused by skate laces. The Achilles Heel gel pads are situated at the foot's heel within the boot. These gel pads fill in the space between the heel and the skate and relieve the rubbing that occurs during skate break-in. Like the Achilles Heel gel pads, the Elite ankle gel pads also give extra comfort during the process of breaking in. They help prevent blisters and other discomfort by filling any space that's not needed should the skates get too big. Players experiencing discomfort in multiple areas can use the combination of these gel pads for personalized relief. However, this may mean that the player's skates aren't properly sized. SharpeningMaking sure your skates are sharpened correctly is extremely important. There are several different hollows you can pick from and each will affect the way you skate. It is important to consider your playing way and conditions on the ice of their rink before choosing the hollow they prefer. The table below provides a list of hollows shops can sharpen skates. The most popular choices are suggested. A hollow that is more sharp (right-side of 1/2" on the chart) allows players to achieve greater speed and stopping power however slower gliding speed. The skates will be more tightly set into the ice. A hollow that is sharper is recommended for smaller players or for players who skate in cold rinks, as it helps them dig more into the harder the ice. A hollow that is duller (left right side of 1/2" on the chart) will provide players with improved speed of gliding, but it will be at the expense of acceleration and stopping ability, as their skates won't dig into the ice as deep. A hollow that is less pronounced in the skate is recommended for players with larger bodies or those who skate at warmer rinks to prevent the skates from "sinking" into the soft frozen ice. 1/2" is the most suitable hollow to use for "all-around" because it is neither too sharp or dull. Repair shops consider the 1/2" hollow to be the standard for repair shops. If you're not sure which hollow you require Ask your sharpener. While the 1/2" could be regarded as to be a "jack of all trades," it is also the "master of none." To have a better customized feeling on the ice players could consider shifting up or down one hollow from 1/2" (e.g. 9/16" or 7/16") After CareAfter each practice and game after every practice, skaters should clean down their holders and steel until dry prior to putting their skates in their bags. The steel will not crack or rust when the water is taken away. Then, skaters must take their skates out from their bags once they are home from the rink. Airing out the skates will allow them to dry quicker and also prevent odors and rust from forming. For those who wish to go beyond should also remove their footbeds at the end of each session to prevent moisture from becoming stuck inside the skates. Some players prefer to wear socks with their skates while some prefer to go barefoot it's all personal preference. Socks-wearers are generally more comfortable in their skates but barefoot players tend to have a slight edge in terms of agility. While skill is always better than equipment, skaters can still feel their edges when there is no space between their feet and their skate.
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For players playing hockey, elbow pads are essential for full and safe protection on ice. Anyone who has fell on an elbow in the first place knows the importance. Properly fitting elbow pads will safeguard not just the bones of the elbow but also your forearms and biceps from slashes and pucks too. The proper elbow pads will allow you to block shots and to dangle over the opposition team without worrying about injuries from hard pucks and defensive whacks to your arm. This will not hinder the mobility of your arm. The exterior is covered with a hard capElbow pads are comprised of an outer cap made of hard material, with a padded inside "donut" where the elbow rests. Also included is a bicep guard and a forearm shield composed of foam and plastic material. These elastic Velcro straps let you adjust the tightness of your fit and customise your fitting. It is crucial that your arm is free of any equipment. Your elbow pads' edges must extend to the cuff of your gloves as well as the top of the bicep guards on your shoulder pads. Measurement of distanceYou will need to take a look at other equipment pieces to help figure out your body size. Measure the distance between your shoulder pads and gloves. This measurement will help you determine how long of elbow pads you need for adequate coverage. Hockey elbow pads include: FeaturesModel and brand sizes can differ. The best place to start is to consult a brand's elbow pad sizing chart to figure out the appropriate size that you need to order according to your height. Since everyone is built differently but there isn't a method that is as precise as trying on the elbow pads to feel a better fit for the fit. Be sure to bring your gloves and shoulder pads when looking for elbow pads, so that you can test your motion range and comfort level, and make sure that the pieces are integrated to offer full coverage from shoulder to wrist. There will be various kinds of elbow pads, with various levels of padding, and articulated pieces. The best fit will ensure that your elbows are comfortable in the cap of your elbow and your elbow pads overall feel snug and secure, without shifting or sacrificing mobility. It should be comfortable and secure without impairing your ability to shoot, pass, or handle. Visit the local Source For Sports hockey shop and we'll help you locate the best elbow pads for your game. From novice to professional We have the appropriate gear at the right price to play your best. It is possible to keep a few things in mind when selecting an appropriate field hockey stick. Hockeydynast has a range of hockey sticks for field play. We are certain you will find the right stick to suit your needs. To narrow your options, you could also consider our Stick Selector. Sticks With EliteAt the highest level, the latest technology and innovation are combined to produce the most sophisticated hockey sticks in the world. They constantly develop innovative technology to keep up with the evolving game. They are made of 100% to 70 percent carbon. They are engineered to increase power without sacrificing their feel. Advanced SticksThe sticks in this group are cutting edge for the progressive athlete. They are stronger than the elite, but they are also more flexible and accommodating. They generally have less carbon than the elite sticks which allows for a softer touch and better control. These sticks are ideal for the advanced player honing their techniques. Competitive SticksThese sticks are suitable for a variety of skill levels. They are flexible, which allows for better ball control. Sticks that are competitive typically have less than 20% carbon. This produces less vibration than sticks with higher carbon but they still have enough power for the developing player. Beginner SticksThese basic sticks are designed to help build fundamental skills. During the development of technical skills, power is not the focus. The sticks are typically made with 100% fiberglass or wood and have a low power level. It allows players to enjoy full control and master the fundamental skills of hockey. Length Of StickThere isn't an exact method of selecting the right length for the field hockey stick. Different players have various preferences depending on their play level and what is most comfortable to them. The most commonly used method which a stick can be chosen is based on an elevation chart. Field Hockey Stick TerminologyElite SticksThe highest level of excellence combines the latest technology and innovation to make the best hockey sticks available in the world. They constantly develop new technologies to keep pace with the changing game. These sticks maximize power and touch without losing any. When you need additional hints on sockey stick, look at more info. Containing CarbonIncreased carbon translates into greater rigidity in the stick. Carbon content that is high contributes to the power of the hit, but it can also make receiving more challenging. It is important for players to discover the perfect balance of power and control to match their sport. Carbon QuotientExpresses an indicative stiffness measure of Gryphon sticks to provide a comparative measurement to the widely-used carbon content percentages. WEIGHT For each composite stick that we sell we provide an approximate weight for the 36-36.5" stick. Each additional inch will weigh about 10 grams. SCOOPThis is a 2-millimeter groove in your stick's toe that is different in length but runs up the shaft. This technology allows for more control over the ball's handling, lifting (both fronthand and backhand) and drag flicking aid and aerial abilities. SHAKINGAs a stick's carbon content increases, there is an increase in the frequency of vibration and stinging within the handle. It is not a sign that the stick has been damaged. Manufacturers have added features to the handle of the stick to take care of and absorb vibration. Furthermore, sticks must warm up just as their owners! Give your stick the chance to warm up to ensure optimal performance! BOWAll composite sticks feature bows starting from the handle and ending at the toe. The majority of sticks have at least 19mm bow and the top-end sticks feature bows that measure more than 25mm. We have four bow styles which are featured throughout our line of sticks. The Extremely Low BowExtremely low bows increase dynamic ball control, aerial passing skills and drag flick stability. The shape is a great choice throughout the field. THE LOW BOWThis low bow is typically approximately 25mm in diameter and the most high point is located near the top of the stick. This design can be used to assist when lifting the ball aerials , drag flicking, and also a dynamic ball movement. The Medium BowThe flexibility of this bow makes it a flexible tool that can be used in all kinds of situations. It's a natural hybrid with the field hockey game by combining the predictable performance of the classic bow with the latest advancements of the lower bows. The Bow, The Regular BowThe top point of a standard bow is located at the middle or middle of the shaft. This is helpful with all aspects of the game. The measurements of the bows differ depending on the type of stick they're on. |