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  • By Maggie Hart


    Why are hockey face masks so incredibly important? In field hockey, you spend almost all of the match with no face mask. You will not be permitted to use one for all of the game, this is unless you have got a significant health requirement. So just why, if a player goes up to take a penalty corner shot, is the masks brought into play? How does this become so important?

    Actually, there's really no question here. You are quickly thrown into circumstances in which you have to be alert, face the hockey ball, face the opposition directly and be the all important back up for the goalkeeper. You want to concentrate on stopping the ball. So when the hockey ball comes towards you at full speed, you may not have the time to duck out of the path of the ball. In typical play, it is less likely for you to end up being face on, with the hockey ball coming at you directly. If this does happen in standard gameplay, it's likely you'll be a little bit further away from the ball compared with a penalty corner and you will consequently have more time to get out of the way. Anyone who has taken a ball to the face in this scenario will tell you how important a Hockey Mask really is.

    If you view it that way, it's much easier to understand why the face mask has fast become so widespread and so popular. Many of the key hockey manufacturers sell a hockey mask. And if you want a certain style, it's probably on the market. There is very likely a brand which thought about that design and style first. Tinted plastic? Sure. Multi-coloured patterned foam backing? Naturally. Space for eyeglasses? In certain variations, yes this is available. How about a junior model instead of just one sizing only? Yes the hockey companies got there before you.

    Needless to say, all of these different designs and colourful alternatives are insignificant. The goal of the face mask is basic safety so in all seriousness, colouring doesn't matter. What is important is the usage of impact resistant, tough plastic material that can handle the impact of a hockey ball to the face. Repeatedly if it needs to! A good fit as well as some high density foam is also important. Don't wear a mask that doesn't fit you. This is not wise at all.

    Go shopping with a reputable store as well as a well known brand name and you can't go wrong when picking your new masks. There are lots of different styles to pick from but as I explained, safety is the most vital factor. Keep more than just the back of the net protected during the penalty corner!




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