How to Wear Ice Hockey Equipment

For protection and performance, ice hockey players wear a lot of equipment. To ensure that every item is put on correctly, getting ready for the game is time consuming. Gear is applied in layers, starting with the undergarments and ending with grabbing the stick before going onto the ice. Children will need help for several years until they learn the process and can fasten the equipment and tie the skates themselves. For goalies, dressing is roughly the same. Just add the bulky goalie pads and replace hockey gloves with a goalie glove and blocker.

Things You'll Need

  • Undergarments
  • Socks
  • Jock shorts with protective cup
  • Hockey garter
  • Hockey tape
  • Team socks
  • Shin guards
  • Hockey pants
  • Skates
  • Elbow and shoulder pads
  • Jersey (or sweater)
  • Helmet
  • Mouth guard
  • Gloves
  • Stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on undergarments. Depending on preference, these can include a long or short sleeve shirt, shorts, or light sweat shirts and pants. Some players wear long underwear.

    • 2

      Place socks on both feet. They shouldn't be too thick. This will prevent the skate from fitting properly on the foot. Skates need to be snug. Some players prefer not to wear socks.

    • 3

      Put on a jock with protective cup. An option is jock shorts, which can be worn as an undergarment and contain a pouch for the protective cup. (Obviously, lady players skip this step.)

    • 4

      Attach a hockey garter around the waist. If you prefer to hold up the hockey socks with clips, then you need the garter. If you use tape or Velcro, skip this step.

    • 5

      Begin to pull on the hockey team socks. If shin guards have straps, connect them first to your legs and pull the socks up over them. If the shin guards do not have straps, position them over the shin and knee as you pull up the sock. The socks are stretched about halfway up the thighs.

    • 6

      Attach the hockey socks with tape or Velcro. Wrap hockey tape twice around the top of the sock and have it stick to the shorts undergarment. Using clear hockey tape, or colored hockey tape that matches the socks, wrap it around the lower leg under the knee to help keep the shin guards in place. The hockey jock shorts contain flaps with Velcro that can be attached to the top of the socks to hold them up.

    • 7

      Pull up the hockey pants, which are tightened around the waist with the included belt. Some players still use suspenders.

    • 8

      Lace up the skates, making sure they are comfortable and secure. Double knot the laces. Long laces need to be tucked into the boot.

    • 9

      Apply the elbow pads, which are set in place with Velco. Shoulder pads are added over the head and tightened for a comfortable fit. This is followed by the jersey (traditionally called the sweater). Some leagues require throat guards, which is a material protector fitted around the neck and kept together with Velcro.

    • 10

      Secure the helmet with the chin strap. Check the inside/outside of the helmet every time you use it. If it has any cracks or other damage, do not use it. A mouth guard also is needed.

    • 11

      Put on hockey gloves, pick up the stick and make your way to the ice.