How to Break in Goalie Pads

Proper sporting equipment can help to make or break an athlete's performance in his event, and athletes become dependent on their equipment choices. You can wash that football jersey you wore when you scored your first touchdown, but pads and other equipment wear out over time and, despite the emotional connection, need to be replaced. Goalies wearing new pads can find it hard to move or adjust while they get used to the pads, and this can cost them in their performance. Manually wearing in the pads can help you get used to the equipment before the next game.

Things You'll Need

  • Twine or string
  • Hockey stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold your new goalie pad upright in the position it would sit were you wearing it. Press the pad against the floor so that the knee and ankle joints bend.

    • 2

      Tie the pads in the bent position with a strong piece of twine. Repeat with your other pad. Leave the pads tied in the bent position for at least eight hours, preferably over night.

    • 3

      Untie the pads and lay them flat on the floor. Strike each pad repeatedly with the flat edge of your hockey stick to stretch the leather and make the padding more pliable.

    • 4

      Tie up the pads again and leave them over night. Repeat this procedure at least three times to properly wear in the pads.

    • 5

      Play some informal practices with the pads on to break them in with your natural body movements.