| As with all sporting equipment, there are specific | | | | shoulder caps, chest protector and upper bicep/tricep |
| pieces for specific uses. This article will take a look at | | | | pads. The rib protection should be long enough as to |
| 3 things you should consider when a purchase of | | | | meet the hockey pants or come just a few inches of |
| hockey shoulder pads are in your near future. | | | | touching them. This will afford the maximum protection |
| Function | | | | for the chest area. The bicep/tricep pads should be |
| What is the function of this piece of equipment. It is to | | | | long enough to touch the top of the elbow pads but |
| protect the upper part of your arms, your chest and | | | | not go over the elbow. |
| the upper part of your shoulders in the front and back. | | | | Your personal overall needs |
| Specifically your shoulders, rib cage, collar bone and | | | | Every skater must pick a set of shoulder pads that will |
| your upper biceps and triceps. you must be sure you | | | | allow for the level of play or league they are in. You |
| have a good set of shoulder pads. These are critical | | | | will want the right combination of padding and range of |
| especially in a league that allows body checks. Most | | | | motion for the arms. The more aggressive player will |
| body checks are dished out and received with the | | | | probably choose a more bulky and padded shoulder |
| shoulders. They also provide protection from pucks | | | | pad. The faster and quicker player will probably opt for |
| and sticks that can hit areas you don't want them to. | | | | a lighter set in order to have more freedom of |
| Construction of shoulder pads | | | | movement. |
| This piece of equipment should have 3 main pieces. | | | | |