Dressing Guide
You Signed up - Drove to the Rink - Now What?
First thing you do when you get to the rink for a practice or game is to find out what locker room your team is in.
Parents are not allowed in the locker rooms. Okay for MINI-MITES and MITES - wean your SQUIRTS and definitely not acceptable at PEEWEE and up. So head for the concession stand and order a hot cocoa.
For the first timer, these steps will get you dressing like a pro in no time. See the video to the right as well!
Player should be in a T-shirt, Long Sleeve shirt or long underwear top, whatever is comfortable.
1) Cup and Supporter (aka "Jock" for boys, "Jill" for girls) over boxer shorts. There are boxer shorts with cup/supporter and Velcro for attaching the socks. Great for Mini's! Blue Jeans are unacceptable undergarments.
2) Skate (feet) Socks - two pairs is not necessary, especially since the skates fit properly- RIGHT?!
Some players prefer skating without socks. Beginning hockey players won't be able to tell the difference, and the the better players who could tell, probably aren't reading this article on how to get dressed.
3) Shin Pads - younger skaters (10 & Under) should have the skate tongue BEHIND the ship pad - not out... They can do this when older & better skaters.
4) Hockey Socks (don't tape them yet)
5) Garter Belt (if the jock/jill doesn't have velcro to attach the socks to). Can tape the socks to the jock - NOT TOO TIGHT! Please do not leave hockey socks unsecured - they WILL fall down!
6) Pants
***** If dressing at home, stop here and finish at the rink****
7) Skates (tuck tongues under shin guards for 10 & under- or don't based on player preference. Now you can tape the shin pads)
8) Shoulder Pads
9) Elbow Pads
10) Sweater (jersey)
11) Helmet
12) Gloves
13) Grab your Stick and Have FUN!
Allow players 15 - 30 minutes to dress before they are ready for the ice. Please be early, dressing young players can be VERY stressful and we are here to have FUN. Don't spoil your players' fun by showing up late and rushing them to get dressed.
PRACTICE AT HOME!
Video: How to Dress a Youth Hockey Player
This video gives an overview of the equipment needed to properly dress youth hockey players for practice/games. They do skip over tucking the skate tongues under the shin guards - which is more of a player preference. Some players leave them out but MOST tuck them under for comfort and BETTER PROTECTION!
