I want to be like Kaprizov: how to start playing hockey as an adult

Many people know about how to send a child to a hockey team. And even if they don’t know, there is information about children’s hockey in a huge number of open sources. But what is the situation with adult sports? What should you do if after a Russian national team game you were so impressed that you wanted to play like Kaprizov? Together with the Russian Ice Hockey Federation und Baltika, we tell you what you need to do for that: we check your physical shape, find the right equipment, help you find a place to train and a team.

Step 1: Buy uniforms

If you’re planning to seriously dive into the world of amateur hockey and play in indoor stadiums, the first thing you’ll need is a uniform. No sane captain, coach or manager of an amateur team will let you on the ice without a full outfit. And if you do end up with irresponsible individuals who are willing to turn a blind eye to your health, run away from them as soon as possible. If these people are immediately ready to disregard your safety, then imagine what can happen when the first stresses of training begin?

You can buy hockey equipment both in a specialized hockey store and in any more or less large chain of sports stores. However, it is still preferable to go to a specialized institution, where sales consultants, as a rule, either play hockey themselves, or thoroughly know all the subtleties of the selection of armor, will help not to make a mistake with the size and advise on many other issues. Of course, you can consider buying used ammunition and save a lot of money, but in this case it is desirable to have someone around to help pick up the right size.

Required for the first time out on the ice:

• helmet;
• bib;
• elbow pads;
• cuffs (gloves);
• shorts;
• shell (bandage);
• shields;
• skates;
• hockey stick;
• leggings;
• sweater.

It would hardly surprise anyone to say that hockey is one of the most expensive sports. But in the last ten years, the industry has made such a leap forward that the number of equipment, which varies in level and manufacturers, makes your eyes go wild. Prices for some elements vary from several thousand to several tens of thousands of rubles. So the quality and level of your protection will depend only on how much you are willing to spend on it. We will consider one of the most budget options for buying a brand new uniform, and we will focus on the prices in one of the federal networks of sports stores, which has its points in six major cities of Russia.

If we talk about the choice of manufacturer, then, of course, it is better to give preference exclusively to hockey: Bauer, CCM, Easton. But the choice, of course, is yours. If you come to training in the outfit brand, which produces goods for other sports, no one will kick you out and will not point the finger. After all, everyone has different financial possibilities.

For example, one of the hockey brands listed above has a whole line designed just for amateur hockey players. An entry-level bib will cost 5000 rubles, shorts – 6000 rubles, cuffs – 6500 rubles, elbow pads – 3200 rubles, shields – 5000 rubles, skates – 8800 rubles, helmet (without mask or visor) – 5000 rubles, hockey stick – 5500 rubles.

Not from this line we take a shell costing 1000 rubles, which, although it protects the most important place, but depending on the manufacturer is not very different in quality. We add the most ordinary leggings for 500 rubles and a simple training sweater of the color you need for the same price.

As a result, we get a check with the amount of 47 thousand rubles. And this is one of the most budget-friendly options when buying a brand new outfit. The level of its protection is far from the highest, but if you are just getting on skates, it will definitely protect you from the first falls and allow you to feel comfortable enough on the ice.

Ah yes! The eternal question: what is better to choose for a helmet – a visor or a mask? There is no universal answer to it. Some people prefer a visor and a free view, while others prefer a mask and full teeth. Remember when Andrei Nazarov said that you don’t need to wave a “mine detector”? In amateur hockey, especially at the level of very beginner hockey players, few people keep an eye on the implement. So we recommend to start training with a mask. Otherwise, there is a great risk of adding dental services to the already solid check. However, there is an alternative in the form of a full visor covering the whole face. However, it will cost more than the usual metal mesh.

Step 2: Get a medical examination

In the multifaceted world of amateur hockey, the attitude towards medical examinations varies depending on the requirements of the leagues and the attitude of team managers towards the health of their partners. In teams that take hockey seriously, amateur hockey players undergo a special medical examination every six months to confirm that there are no contraindications to playing the sport. You may be allowed to train without a certificate, but now in the vast majority of leagues it is forbidden to play without an official clearance from a sports doctor. And if you plan to participate in competitions, you will still have to undergo an examination. After all, you’re not the enemy of your own health, are you?

Usually, a standard sports medical examination includes general tests, ECG, cardiac ultrasound, examination by a surgeon, ENT, cardiologist, traumatologist, ophthalmologist, neurologist and a specialist in sports medicine, who eventually gives the green light for sports. It is possible to pass through all specialists in just one day both in specialized private sports medicine centers and in state institutions. Prices are individual, but you should not expect to pay less than 3 thousand rubles.

Step 3: Finding a team

So, we bought a uniform, wrapped the stick with tape, sharpened new skates and got a paper from the doctor. But where can you find a team that is willing to play with you and teach you the simplest exercises? If you don’t know any amateur hockey players, you can find out about the leagues in your town at the store. However, the easiest way, of course, is to find information with a few cherished phrases in a search engine. Now almost all leagues have not only official pages in social networks, but also their own websites.

For example, in Novosibirsk alone, where in popularity with hockey can not compete with any other sport, there are three amateur leagues. In each of them there are several divisions, divided by levels: in the higher ones former sports schoolchildren and professionals play, in the lower ones – hockey players who got on skates quite recently. The number of amateur teams in the capital of Siberia exceeds a hundred. So anyone can find a team to his level and to his liking. The situation is similar in other major cities.

To contact a representative of one of the teams is very easy: just go to the official group of the league in “VKontakte” and go to the section “Discussions”, where there is usually a separate topic dedicated to the search for teams and recruitment of players. In it you can write a message and tell that you are looking for a team, leave contact information and be sure to indicate that you are new to hockey. The second option is to contact a team representative yourself, who will specify the criteria for candidates in his post.

It is not necessary to look for a team that participates in one of the tournaments. You can also find a group of amateurs who meet regularly for bilateral games and do not practice together. But you want to learn how to play hockey, not crawl on the ice behind those who already have certain skills. That’s why it’s better to find enthusiasts who are regularly practicing on the ice under the careful guidance of a coach.

The question is: Is it too late?

It is never too late to start practicing hockey – neither at 20 nor at 50. The main thing is your desire and absence of medical contraindications. In rookie teams do not look at the passport or the number of gray hairs. However, if you are complex that you will look quite weak against the background of young 20-year-old guys, there are many veteran teams 40+, in which you will feel most comfortable. The choice is yours.

Do I have to pay for training?

Before you start practicing amateur hockey, you need to remember a simple truth – you have to pay for everything. If in professional hockey they pay your salary, in amateur hockey everything is different.

All teams rent ice, and many of them practice the season ticket system to pay for it. The cost depends on the number of practices per month. Usually amateurs practice twice a week and on average the cost of training varies from 500 to 1000 rubles depending on the rental prices in your city. Again we count and get that a month of training will cost about 4-8 thousand rubles.

You also need to keep in mind and the cost of renting ice for games, which are mostly held on weekends. And do not forget that the work of coaches also need to pay. In general, the purchase of uniforms is definitely not limited to spending.

What time are the practices?

Amateur hockey players are busy people and train after the end of the working day. Therefore, you should be prepared for the fact that all training sessions are held in the evening and night time between 19:00 and 01:00. Yes, hockey at 00:00 is a common thing. This late time is caused not only by the end of the working day, but also by the busyness of the ice palaces, where children’s teams and groups of skaters are practicing until 19:00. So if you don’t have a personal car or a teammate living nearby, you will have to pay for a cab 1-2 times a week.

The duration of a regular class is 1-1,5 hours. The structure is chosen by the coach. Some teams are not limited to the ice only and additionally conduct “dry” training in gyms or go to special throwing centers. However, such sessions are considered optional rather than mandatory.

As for games, friendly matches can be played on weekdays instead of training, but official matches in amateur leagues are played exclusively on weekends at any time of the day.

Buy a uniform and find a great team, of course, is very important. But you should start amateur hockey with a conscious decision: are you ready to pull this difficult hobby and spend money, time and effort on it every month? If not, then the coveted uniform may end up on the balcony and covered with dust. If yes, then welcome to the world of hockey and strong-hearted players!