The game of hockey can boast of a long and glorious history dating back to 4,000 years ago. Hockey and similar kind of games played using ball-and-stick were played as early as 2,000 B.C. in Egypt, Greece, Ethiopia and South America. During the late 18th century, the modern hockey started being played in England. It was in 1901 that hockey found its way to the United States as a women’s sport by Constance Applebee, an English physical-education teacher. The game is now quite high in popularity, being played in high schools and local leagues across the nation. Hockey players require sticks, shoes, protective gear and accessories to play the game.
Hockey Sticks:
The first and foremost thing that you need to play hockey is a specific stick. The hockey sticks which is usually 80–95 cm long have two sides – one side, generally the left side is the “playing side” and has flat lower half. The opposite side, the non-playing side is completely rounded from top to bottom. You can choose from a comprehensive range of hockey sticks which is manufactured using the latest technology to provide consistent balance, feel, performance, durability and unique playing characteristics. The hockey sticks are traditionally made of wood but there are sticks which are made of composite materials and are more expensive. Usually a certain combination of aramid fibre, carbon fibre and fibreglass in varying proportions are present in these composite sticks according to the stiffness, flexibility and resistance to abrasion and impact required.
Hockey Ball:
Standard balls for hockey are made of plastic and usually white in colour. They can be in any colours depending on the playing surface and are in contrast colours. In the United States, the ball has a circumference between 8 3/4 and 9 1/4 inches and it weighs between 5 1/2 and 5 3/4 ounces. The ball for field hockey comes with a smooth or dimpled surface.
Mouthguard:
Playing contact sports like hockey means you can be injured at any point. To reduce the severity of injuries, the hockey players wear protective gear. Mouthguards are a vital piece of protective gear to prevent dental injuries and concussions. Mouthguards are available in various colours with and without straps. To provide a comfortable and secure fit, these are offered in youth and adult sizes.
Shinguard:
To lessen the risk of serious injury, hockey players need safety gear and equipment and shinguards are one of such protective gear. A large range of shinguards is available in the market manufactured by the leading manufacturers in the world.
Goalie Gear:
The hockey goalies require a huge range of protective gear that includes a helmet with a full cage, throat protector, chest protector, mouth guard and goalkeeper girdle. There are also kickers, goalie stick and leg guards to complete the protective gear for goalies. To be easily distinguished from other players, the Goalies wear a colour jersey different from them.
There are also hockey shoes and hockey gloves which are essential part of hockey gear. Whether you are looking for hockey sticks, hockey shoes, hockey gloves, goalie gear or any protective equipment, you can find them all online at the leading stores. An amazing range of hockey equipment and gear is available from all leading brands at discounted prices. So, why to wait! Grab them today.