Spring is the best season to evaluate effectiveness and sizes of the player’s equipment. It is astonishing how much a player grows over the course of time.
A player may face injuries if he or she wears improper sized equipment. This type of equipment creates the unsafe situation.
Do you know it that helmets have an expiration date? The hockey Equipment Certification Council’s (HECC) aims to seek out the testing procedures of hockey.
All youth helmets should bear a HECC sticker which contains the effective date. A helmet comes to its end of life when it lasts 6 ½ years after the date of manufacture.
Time has a great impact on the protective qualities of the helmets. It prevents helmets from, meeting the least standards of safety.
Notice the sticker added to the back of the helmet closely. Be sure all screws are tight enough; ear protection remains its place. Check the fitting closely and notice the general condition of the helmet.
Safety equipment must cover the body parts and depart few exposed. Shoulder pads and gloves may overlap elbow pads.
Shoulder pads and pants may overlap. Pants must overlap shin guards. Shin guards and skate tongue must overlap one another.
Taking necessary precaution to protect body is very critical. A goalie’s mask is perfect for an 8U player.
When this player reaches 12U level, it will fail to give necessary protection. There the shots are faster, harder and more unpredictable.
Skates must adjust very well. It is best to buy a professional one from the famous retailers. Large skates are very comfortable. It permits the player to move the feet within the skate.
It doesn’t allow the players to skate very effectively. On the other way, small skates are very uncomfortable for the players. It may also be painful in some cases.
Mouthpieces are suggested at the 12U age or older. Moreover, it is advised for 10U age or younger.
Neck guard is a very wonderful idea as it covers only the uncovered body part. The neck injury is very rare and if it happens, it becomes very severe.
Stick is a very important thing. Players fail to perform well without an appropriate stick. At the time of buying a stick, you have to consider the following things carefully:
- Size. Youth sticker is fit for players aged four to eight. Moreover, junior stickers are fit for players aged seven to twelve. A senior sticker is perfect for aged 14 or more. Intermediate stickers are best for players aged ten to fifteen. There is no steadfast rule regarding age but this is a good starting point.
- Length. Sticks are costly. Some parents like to cut the sticks to a bit longer so that the players may grow into it. But doing it deprives the players of playing best. A stick comes near to the chin of the players if they are on skates or to their nose inside shoes.
- When a player grows older, he finds effectiveness and preference in a bit longer or shorter stick. Therefore it is wise, to begin with, chin length as long as the player acquires some skills and experience.
- Materials. Stickers are made of different materials namely fiberglass, graphite, carbon, Kevlar and wood. The price range of sticker varies from 25 dollars to 300 dollars. An expensive and high-quality stick may not make any difference for the fewer experienced players. The beginners should use a wood stick. Gradually they will acquire knowledge and would be acquainted with more expensive models.
- Flex. A stick should flex at least 40 or up to 110. Accurate flex can permit the players to curve the stick without applying many efforts. It provides snap as they release a shot.
- Grip. A tacky surface allows more control over the stick. So it is suggested to use a smooth surface as it permits the players to move the lower hand up and down the beam of their stick.
- 7. Curve. Beginners can start with the more fundamental pattern. They should use a straight stick until they completely learn and experience more for their performance.
Most hockey helmets fail new safety evaluation
William Demello is a professional biker and racer with over 10 years of experience. He believes in safety first, that’s why he analyzes the helmet before other relevant elements. With this long experience, now he has decided to share his experience with others. Know more at the about page.
