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Unfortunately, breaking in equipment is a part of the game that we as players will have to deal with throughout our careers. Some players love new equipment while others can't stand it. The following tips are meant to help you players make the transition from used to new equipment. For you older players, you've probably heard of or even used some of these techniques. We know that there are hundreds of techniques out there, and we probably haven't covered them all. If you know of a good tip for any piece of equipment that we've overlooked, please email your technique to [email protected]
Skates
There is nothing worse than a pair of skates that hurt your feet while you're playing. When you're attempting to break in a new set, we encourage you try some of these methods in order to make the transition less painful.
- Soak the skates in hot water and wear them around the house. By doing this a few times, the skates will begin to form to your feet, and when you hit the ice, your feet will want to thank you.
- Place the skates in the oven (provided at most pro shops) until they are warm to the touch. Remove the skates and put them on. The heat will make the skates more pliable, and this will allow them to form to your feet quicker than simply wearing them.
- As an alternative to using an oven, a fellow player recommended using a hair dryer. Use the hair dryer to warm the inside of your skate. After warming the inside of your skate for a few minutes, slip your skate on to allow it to form to your foot.
- In addition to using a hair dryer to heat your skates, another player suggested wearing a damp (hot wet) sock during the molding process. In combination with your heated skate, the wet sock will create steam which will help mold your skate. Try it using hot water on your socks but remember that they should only be damp when you go to begin.
- Try to wear the skates prior to camp or during practice. Any player will tell, hands down, that this is the best way to get your feet used to your skates.
Gloves
Gloves are a very important piece of a player's equipment. Stickhandling is, as we all know, one of the most important aspects of the game. A player's gloves will affect the feel of the stick as well as the puck, and it is for these reasons that quality comfortable gloves are a must. Whatever type of glove you use, here are some methods you can try to get them feeling just right.
- For flexibility of the fingers and thumb, try taping them back for a few nights. By taping them back, you will find that it will give the gloves more of a range of motion with regards to the fingers and thumb.
- For a better feel of the stick try this. (Let it be said that we don't advocate altering your equipment as it is designed to protect you, but on occasion, a small change can greatly improve the feel.) On most gloves there will be a second covering of leather or other material on the palm of the glove. Carefully remove the second covering from the palm area. This will give you a better feel of both the puck and stick when you're stickhandling.
- A fellow player added that he often does push-ups in his new gloves (palm down). Doing push-ups will help with flexibility and mobility in the wrist of the glove.
Goalies
Breaking in goal equipment can be a real hassle. Not only do we have to get used to the feel of new pads or a new glove, but we also have to get used to the feel of the puck in new equipment. However, new equipment is something every goalie must get used to, as the need to stay well protected is a must.
Breaking in a new glove is easier today than it ever has been, but here are some tips for getting a better feel for it.
- Play catch. Sometimes practice alone will not be enough to break in a new glove, so try grabbing a baseball and hitting the backyard for a round of catch.
- Place a stack of pucks, or a softball, in the web of your glove. Close the glove around them and tape your glove shut (or use elastic bands around it). Try doing this over a number of nights.
- Watch TV. Wear your glove while you watch TV, and during the commercial break, open and close it for the duration of one commercial. This will not only help you work in your glove, but it will give you a great forearm workout.
New pads can be a goalie's worst nightmare. They NEVER feel like your old ones. Unless your pads are custom made, there is invariably some small change whether it be a height change, width change, or the pad seems to sit closer to the ice.
- Practice, practice, practice. The only true way to work your pads in is during practice. And, for you young goalies, be sure not to jump right into a game with them. It will take 5 or 10 ice sessions to know exactly how tight you like your straps, how the pads affect your skating, and how they give off rebounds. Take the time to get used to them.
- If you like your pads to have a good flex along their natural curve, try placing them, standing up, under the bench in the dressing room. Push down on the tops so they curve and squish naturally, and they can fit under the bench. Leave them until you need them.
Generally speaking, these are the primary two pieces of equipment that goalies fight to get used to. With that said though, new pants, a new belly pad, and even a new jock can feel a lot different. So, take the practice time to get used to them. Staying mentally focused is a big part of goaltending, and you don't want to be worrying about your equipment during a game.
Other Tips
- You know that sticker that we all hate that comes on the back of every new helmet. Here's how to get rid of it with almost no effort. Take a couple pieces of sock tape and cover the sticker. Using a puck or any other hard object smooth the tape over the sticker so that it is completely flat against the area. Now pull the tape off. Voila, the sticker is gone.
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