How to Be a Successful Hockey Player

In order to be a successful hockey player, there will be a few things you need to consider.

First, you need to be tough. Opponents will not think to much about what will happen to you when going in for a check.Also, you need to be focused, hockey is a game of strategy and intelligence. You need to know where to be on the ice, and when to be there. You also need to know where everyone else on the ice is. One of the very important things you need to have is heart. If you don't enjoy or want to play the game, you won't win or have any fun. You need to have desire and a love for the game. Lastly, your going to need to be dedicated. Hard work and determination is also very important. Practicing almost everyday, lifting weights, running, staying in shape in general, should all be scheduled into your daily routines. It takes more than putting on the equipment and getting on the ice, to actually play the game.

As the equipment goes, here's a list of the equipment you'll need and why:

1.Helmet – to protect your head from both the puck and the ice.
2.Neck guard – to protect your neck from being cut by a skate
3.Shoulder pads/chest protector – To protect shoulders, chest and spine
4.Elbow pads – to protect your elbows
5.Gloves – to protect your hands from skates and/or the puck
6.Mouth guard – to protect your teeth and to prevent concussions
7.Breezers/hockey pants – to protects hips, pelvis, and thighs from skates, pucks, or the ice
8.Jock with nut cup – to protect the pelvic area and to hold up the hockey socks
9. Shin pads – to protect the shins from the puck
10.Hockey socks – to cover the leg
11.Skates – to skate across the ice
12.Hockey stick – to hit/move the puck
13.Team jersey – to tell you and your team apart from the opposing team

You can find most of this equipment at your local sporting goods stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Sports Giant, Absolute Sports Inc.

Some of the skills you should work on could be your balance, coordination, stick handling, and speed. These can be improved both on and off the ice.
1. Running, doing lunges, plyometrics, and building your leg muscles will help to improve your speed and endurance.
2. On skates, by doing inside and outside edges, and getting stronger on one skate at a time, will make it easier to skate by improving your balance and coordination. Getting stronger on your skates will help make you less prone to falling.
3. Simply taking a tennis ball and a hockey stick outside in your driveway for 15 minutes and stick handling back and fourth will help your hand coordination and stick handling skills. On ice, just stick handling during drills or stationary will also improve your stick handling skills.

In time and with practice, you too can play hockey.