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Field Hockey Equipment

Madhavi Ghare
If you are planning to enter the sport of field hockey, there is some equipment that you will need to acquire before you actually start playing the game. Have a look.
Field hockey is the third-most popular sport on the planet, with a fan following of more than 2 billion. It is popular in most schools, colleges, and universities around the world. As the game gets to become a part of your life, you will need to invest in good quality equipment.

Hockey Stick

This is the first thing that one would consider buying, because without a hockey stick it is not really possible to play the game. A hockey stick is a J-shaped stick.
When the game came into prominence, the sticks were made out of wood. Nowadays, advancement in technology has led to them being made out of carbon and fiberglass. This is also useful, as most of the turfs are now made out of synthetic grass and, these materials work best together.
There are two ways of deciding the length of a hockey stick which will help you play the game well. The American method is one that holds the hockey stick to one's side, so going in for a stick which is about an inch or two below one's waist is ideal.
The Dutch method recommends that one should put the head of the stick into one's armpit, so go for one which ends near the middle of one's kneecap.

Protective Gear

The next thing to consider is purchasing protective gear. There are a variety of pads that need to be worn under your colors, depending on the position you play in. These include Jock / Jill Pads which protect the groin area, shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and even a neck guard.
These are quite necessary, as the ball or stick is quite likely to strike a particular body part while playing the game.
Although not very popular among players, a helmet will help protect your head from taking a hit during play. A good mouth guard adds extra protection to the teeth.
You can also invest in a pair of gloves. This will protect your hands and fingers during a game, and will also aid in gripping and handling the stick well.

Apparel

Depending on your team or club, you may need to purchase a couple of sets of the hockey dress. You may also have to invest in at least 3 pairs of socks which match these colors.
For practice, make sure you buy Tshirts and shorts that are not too tight, so you are comfortable while playing. Shoes need to be according to the surface, besides being the perfect fit.
These are the basic essentials of hockey equipment. You will of course need other things too, such as sock tapes to ensure the socks fit snugly. You will also need lots of sticky tape to put around your stick as and when required.