Protection

The essentials for ball hockey are gloves, shin guards and a helmet with a cage or visor. Many players also add protective gear like elbow pads, a jock or jill with cup, padded shorts and a mouth guard, especially in competitive leagues.

Yes. Ball hockey protection is built for running on sport court, so it is lighter, more breathable and more flexible than ice hockey gear, with tougher shells and palms that resist abrasion from the plastic surface and the ball. Ice hockey shin guards and gloves work in a pinch, but dedicated gear from Knapper, Dekadence or LDK lets you move faster and stay cooler.

We carry the top names in ball hockey protection: Knapper (AK series), Warrior, LDK, Dekadence, CCM and Legend. Knapper and Dekadence specialize in ball hockey, while Warrior and CCM bring their hockey expertise to lightweight gloves, helmets and pads.

Most leagues require a helmet for minor players and strongly recommend one for adults, and many require a full cage or visor. A ball hockey or hockey helmet with a cage protects you from high sticks, falls on the sport court and shots to the face, so we recommend wearing one at every level.

Gear should be snug without limiting movement. Your gloves should leave a little room at the fingertips and meet your elbow pads with no gap, and your shin guards should cover from the centre of the knee to the top of your ball hockey shoes. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller size for better mobility.

Kids should wear junior gloves, junior shin guards and a helmet with a full cage. A youth jock with cup from Winnwell and a mouth guard from Shock Doctor complete the kit and are required by many minor leagues.

Take your gear out of your hockey bag after every game and let it air dry completely to prevent odour and bacteria. Use a gear deodorizer like Captodor, wash removable liners regularly and avoid drying pads on a direct heat source, which can damage the foam.