| Hockey is one of the most popular contact | | | | a shallow scoop for catching and guiding the |
| games played in the US, probably next only to | | | | puck.Field hockey uses a molded plastic ball. |
| soccer and rugby. There are several versions | | | | Ice hockey and inline hockey use hard, |
| of hockey played such as field, inline, rink | | | | vulcanized rubber discs called pucks. Both |
| and ice hockey. All use specialized gear and | | | | balls are sized according to hockey |
| equipment.The basic equipment of hockey is a | | | | associations. The objective of any version of |
| stick, which may be about three feet long. | | | | hockey is to guide the ball or puck towards |
| Hockey sticks are round and generally made of | | | | the goal net. Goal nets are supported by |
| wood covered with fiberglass; aluminum sticks | | | | steel frames and have durable synthetic nylon |
| are also used and both varieties feature | | | | nets.Protective gear and team jerseys are |
| suede and rubber grips. Field hockey sticks | | | | just as important as the skates or footwear, |
| have hooked bases, which are rounded at one | | | | the stick and the puck. Protective hockey |
| end and flat at the other to accurately smack | | | | gear is comprised of a chest protector, a |
| the ball into the goal. Ice hockey and inline | | | | helmet, large padded shorts, shin pads, a |
| hockey sticks have broader bases and most are | | | | neck protector, and other gear. Make sure you |
| designed for right-handed players. When | | | | use all protective gear whenever you play |
| holding the upper portion of the stick with | | | | hockey. Some pick-up games of hockey are not |
| your left hand and the lower portion with | | | | played with protective gear, but safety |
| your right, the base curves forward, forming | | | | should come first. |