| Ice hockey is an extremely popular sport in the US and | | | | performance of the player. |
| Canada and its popularity is increasing in the UK too. | | | | A player will typically wear skates, shoulder pads, |
| There are an increasing number of ice rinks in the UK | | | | gloves, shin pads, elbow pads, mouth guards, neck |
| that are opening their doors to ice hockey teams | | | | guard and a chest protector. Aside from protecting the |
| enabling them to train and practice their skills. This | | | | body from impact and damage these items are also |
| means that more people are able to practice their skills | | | | designed to be streamline and not to interfere with the |
| and develop a love for the game that is similar to that | | | | ability of the player to perform his duties for the team. |
| that has gripped the US and Canada. The most | | | | The neck guard worn by some players for example |
| prominent images we in the UK receive from the | | | | allows for a large amount of movement so that the |
| game are the fight scenes that regularly occur as part | | | | player can move freely around the ice and at the |
| of the game. In these situations the game is put on | | | | same time feel protected. The goaltender usually |
| hold whilst two of the players have a punch up. This | | | | wears the more rigid forms of protection as his or her |
| has become one of the most enduring images of the | | | | job does not require as much movement as the |
| game and as a result the game is considered one of | | | | outfield players. |
| the more dangerous games that you can participate in. | | | | Goal keepers or goal tenders have a different stick to |
| The upshot of this is that all players that play the game | | | | that of the players that play in the outfield. The main |
| need to protect themselves as best they can and | | | | area of difference is that the stick that the goal tender |
| often the most successful way of doing this is to buy | | | | uses has a larger paddle section of the stick which is |
| equipment that protects against the rough and tumble. | | | | used to help the goaltender protect the goal more |
| In a game where the puck can reach speeds of | | | | efficiently. The goaltender also wears shorter, stouter |
| 100mph and players can put their whole momentum | | | | skates that are closer to the ice. This flatter style of |
| behind speeding around the ring, equipment that looks | | | | skate makes it easier for the goaltender to move |
| after their safety has never been more important. | | | | laterally. This is in order to make it easier for the |
| All ice hockey players wear protective kit. The most | | | | goaltender to move and prevent the opposing team |
| important parts of the body are protected by this kit | | | | from scoring. |
| and the most prominent piece of equipment is the | | | | The goaltender also wears considerably more |
| helmet. The ice hockey helmet protects the head from | | | | protection on the front half of the body. This is to be |
| serious blows that can occur from a stray hockey | | | | sure that if he or she is struck with the ball they are |
| stick, flying puck or from a crash into the rink walls or | | | | less likely to be hurt. The goaltender will also have less |
| the ice itself. The most important aspect of ice hockey | | | | protection on the back as this area of the body is less |
| equipment is that it protects the player but it is also | | | | likely to be hit by the puck. |
| designed to have the duel effect of improving | | | | |