Hockey, sometimes known as ice hockey or just hockey, is a team sport that is played on ice skates on a surface that has been specially marked out for the activity. It is a member of the hockey family of sports.
A closed, vulcanised rubber disc called a “puck” is controlled, advanced, and shot into the opposing team’s goal by two opposing teams using ice hockey sticks. One point is awarded for each goal. The winning team is the one with the most goals scored.
In a formal game, each side has six skaters on the ice at once, with the goalkeeper being one of them, barring any penalties.
Ice hockey is one of the more physically demanding sports because it is a full contact sport and acing in such a physically demanding sports makes it one of the highest paid sport In the world.
Equipment required for Ice Hockey
1. Protective Gear
Body checks are permitted in men’s ice hockey, a full-contact sport, hence accidents happen often. Protective gear is required and strictly enforced in all competition settings.
These include a helmet with a visor or a complete face mask, shoulder pads, elbow pads, mouth guards, protective gloves, thickly padded shorts (sometimes called hockey pants), girdles, athletic cups (also known as jocks for men and jills for women), shin pads, skates, and (optionally) a neck protection.
These gears are used to avoid unexpected injury or accidents as Ice Hockey is one of the Hardest Sports in the world.
2. Goaltender
Goaltenders employ several tools. They must wear protective gear since hockey pucks may go up to 100 mph (160 km/h) when they are approaching a person.
Goaltenders also wear a big jersey, a blocking glove, a catching glove, a chest protector, a goalie mask, and specialist goalie skates that are designed more for side-to-side movement than for forward and backward movement.
Some leagues have size limitations on these items. The equipment used by goalies has gotten bigger and bigger throughout time, which has resulted in fewer goals scored each game and several official rule revisions.
3. Ice Hockey Skates
The physical acceleration, speed, and manoeuvrability of ice hockey skates are maximised. This involves making quick starts, stops, turns, mens inline skates and direction changes while skating.
To shield the skater’s feet from impact with other skaters, sticks, pucks, the boards, and the ice itself, they must also be stiff and durable. Additionally, rigidity enhances the skate’s overall maneuverability.
Speed or figure skates have quite diverse blade characteristics in terms of length, thickness (width), curvature (rocker/radius (front to back), and radius of hollow (across the blade width).
These factors are typically changed by hockey players depending on their position, skill level, and body type. Most skates have blades that are around 18 inch (3.2 mm) thick.
4. Ice Hockey Stick
The hockey stick is made up of a shaft and a flat blade that is long, broad, and slightly curved. Its performance is significantly impacted by the curve itself. A shallow curvature makes backhand shots easier, but a deep curve makes lifting the puck easier.
The performance is also affected by the stick’s flex. The player is searching for the correct balanced flex that allows the stick to bend freely while yet having a powerful “whip-back” that sends the puck flying at high speeds.
Typically, a less flexible stick is suited for a stronger player. It is very different from sticks used in other sports simulations and is best suited for striking and guiding the flat puck. Its distinctive form aided in the early growth.
