Hockey is a fast paced game which is played all over the world. The equipment quality and numbers may vary from country to country and player to player. The basic equipment when it comes to world field hockey is similar.
Hockey doesn’t need an extensive kit filled with various equipments. It surely needs the vital equipment which can be looked at from the player’s point of view and from the goal keeper’s point of view.
No match in hockey can be played without the hockey stick. The hockey stick is the most vital part of any player’s equipment. Whether you play forward, defense or you are the goal keeper you need a good hockey stick. As a player you need to have a stick with which you are comfortable and you have practiced with. Incase of a breakage you will need few more sticks. Thus, as a hockey player you need hockey sticks to be a part of your equipment. The length of the stick is a little over 3 feet or when calculated in centimeters it comes to approximately 90 cms.
The stick was only made of wood but the technology and developments are entering hockey as well. Now sticks are made for materials like fiber glass, carbon fibre composites and Kevlar etc. Metal has been banned due to the excessive injuries it caused the players in this aggressive game.
The curve of the hook at the bottom should be only 25mm according to the latest rules of the FIH. The hockey sticks are strong pieces of equipment but must be protected and so you will need a bag to house all your hockey sticks in that.
The hockey ball is the next equipment without which the game just cannot be played. The ball is normally made of plastic and at times it will have a cork core. The ball is hard and is white in color. The ball has many indentations over it so that hydroplaning can be reduced and the speed of the ball on wet surfaces may not be guessed.
The hockey equipment just doesn’t finish with this. The other requirements are equipment for the safety of the player. The mouth guards are to be worn in colors for easy identification and the player’s safety. Players wear knee guards and elbow guards to avoid scratches and injuries when they come in contact with the ground. Some players wear gloves to protect their palms and also to help in gripping the hockey stick.
Shin guards are worn by players to protect their feet from hockey stick blows. Spiked shoes are another essential part of the equipment. Without good shoes running on the astro pitches when it’s wet is difficult. These shoes provide the players with that extra grip and also help in making sharp turns.
The clothes that you wear while playing are another part of your equipment. Apart from all this you also may need goggles to protect your eyes.
The goal keeper’s equipment is by far the most. His equipment is both bulky and surely occupies a lot of space too. The helmet which protects his head cannot be done without. To protect the feet, kickers and leg guards are vital. They need to have a few sets of all this equipment so that they can have something to replace broken or torn equipment. To protect the remaining parts they will have to wear elbow guards, shoulder pads, chest guards, padded shorts, groin guards, arm guards, neck guards and gloves which have to a lot of extra padding. Over and above this wearing a mouth guard and carrying the hockey stick are compulsory.
All these put together comprise the hockey player’s equipment. Water bottles are another thing which has to be a part of this kit.