Hockey is a rather dangerous sport, therefore, the protection elements of every hockey player should be in the first place. They include: helmet, hockey shields, underpants, elbow pieces, bib. All of them carefully protect the athlete from the consequences of contact wrestling.
Hockey shin protection
Hockey shields protect the knee joints, lower leg and calves from the puck or skate. If you take into account the protection of the knee, then it is divided into two main parts. The first is a cup, and the second is a shield. The latter fits the shin tightly. You can see minor elements. These include gasket and straps. The gasket is designed for depreciation. In high-quality shields, it is made of breathable fabric. This helps not to collect moisture inside, but to bring it out. The straps act as a regulator. This element allows you to adjust the shield to your size so as not to cause inconvenience to the hockey player during the game. Do not forget about the back of the leg. It should also be protected as much as possible, therefore it is recommended to purchase only those hockey shields that have side protectors. They completely fit the caviar part and protect the muscle.
Types of Hockey Shields
Shields are divided into two types: wide and narrow. Wide flaps have a much larger inner radius of the lower part. They are more massive and hamper the movements of the athlete. They are preferred by those hockey players who place the tongue of the skate under the shield. This factor suggests that they provide more reliable protection. And narrow shields are the exact opposite of the past. They have a small radius. In this regard, they almost do not constrain movement in the game. Thanks to them, the player is protected, but at the same time can easily perform various maneuvers, demonstrate excellent technique without any obstacles. If we compare these two species, then the narrow ones are located under the tongue of the ridge. Unlike wide ones, they do not completely cover the ankle joint. It is difficult to say which of these types of visor is better. It all depends on the style of the game. If you want to show a high class, then it is necessary to put on narrow shields so that they do not impede maneuverability. But then you need to be careful in collisions. If safety comes first, then wide shields must be used. It should be noted that today this problem is being solved, models of narrow shields are already being produced, which in terms of protective characteristics are not inferior to wide ones.
Hockey Shields - Tips Before Purchasing
Before purchasing the shields, you need to decide on the model. If they are ordered via the Internet, it is important to know the size of the hockey shields. This is necessary so that they completely fit the leg and do not fall off during the game. If the size fits perfectly, then there will be no problem fixing the flaps. In order that during the game nothing distracts and does not interfere, you need to pay attention to the quality of fastening. Absolutely all manufacturers of this product use fasteners in the form of Velcro or belts. Belts should be made of elastic materials. Despite the high quality, fasteners become less effective over time, which is why many players use small tricks. They can fix their hockey shields with tape or rubber bands. In order to choose a shield, you need to decide with what intensity they will be used. This means the level of the game: training, friendly match, serious competition or just drive the puck in the yard. Another important factor is the role of the hockey player. Hockey goalie shields require special attention.
Goalie Shields
Goalkeeper hockey shields must provide complete protection for the lower leg and knee. There should not be a single open place. This is due to the fact that the goalkeeper is the only player who most often takes the puck. Due to the fact that he especially does not need to make any intense movements, when compared with the striker, the goalie hockey shields are much more massive and heavier. They must fully withstand all blows and at the same time not allow damage to the player.