| A lot of people who aren't familiar with ice hockey | | | | Size: |
| nets may think that a net is a net. Any parent who's | | | | Nets are not all one size. They come in full-size (6' by |
| ever looking into buying one for their son or daughter | | | | 4') but also in a wide variety of smaller sizes. If you go |
| though knows that this simply isn't true. Ice hockey nets | | | | for a high quality, steel net, you'll probably need to go |
| come in multiple variations, and it's important to | | | | full-size, as smaller sizes normally only come in PVC or |
| consider two major factors when picking a net for | | | | thin steel. However, a smaller net is not necessarily a |
| your son or daughter to practice on at home. | | | | bad thing. For younger kids, going with a smaller net |
| Construction: | | | | may aid their shooting practice. Most small kids are |
| This is the first major factor that needs to be | | | | unable to shoot well enough to utilize the top area of a |
| considered when buying a net. Hockey nets are | | | | full size net, so starting with a smaller net and sizing up |
| traditionally made of one of two materials, PVC plastic, | | | | as the child grows can be a great way to keep kids |
| or steel. PVC plastic nets are cheaper and lighter, while | | | | encouraged. |
| steel nets are more expensive and heavier, but also | | | | Training is important, and at all ages, good training aids |
| much more durable. A steel net is best because it is | | | | are also important. Practice is necessary for proper |
| strong enough to stand up to full-weight pucks, | | | | development and shooting practice shouldn't be |
| meaning your child can get realistic practice on his shot. | | | | ignored. A good net at home ensures your kids can |
| PVC nets will only be able to stand up to balls or | | | | get plenty of shooting practice away from the rink, |
| plastic pucks. Practicing shooting with balls is still better | | | | which means they can spend more time on practicing |
| than not practicing all, but it's not as good as practicing | | | | their skating (the most important skill), while they're on |
| with the real thing. | | | | the ice. |