For high-contact sports such as ice hockey and American football, protective gear plays a crucial part in the safety of the athlete. Although both types of gear look heavy and sturdy, there are key differences between them, which will be outlined in this article to help you and your team select the right protective gear.
Why Are There Differences Between Hockey Pads and Football Pads
The major reason for the vastly dissimilar designs of protective equipment in ice hockey and American football lies in the distinct differences in the nature of the sports. In ice hockey, players move at very fast speeds with a low center of gravity, thereby often coming in contact with each other. In addition to this, players have to constantly change direction, decelerate, accelerate, and control their sticks during passing or shooting. This requires protective equipment to provide the necessary protection without compromising the ease of movement of the equipment against the body.
However, in American football, the confrontations occur in brief intervals of head-on collisions. The players suddenly accelerate from a standstill position or at a very slow rate and deliver strong tackles, blocks, and collisions. The impact is huge and concentrated, and the players fall very often. In this case, the main role of the protective gear is to absorb and distribute the huge impact generated instantaneously. Hence, in this case, the structure of the protective gear is thicker, and the coverage of the protective gear is concentrated.
What Are There Differences Between Hockey Pads and Football Pads
As mentioned above, because of the different characteristics of skating and head-on collision, the flexibility and distribution of protection in hockey protective gear, and the rigidity and concentration of protection in American football protective gear, it directly affects the differences in the areas, structure, performance, and use of the two types of protective gear. In order to help you better understand the above, we will elaborate on the differences in detail in the following.
Protected Areas
Hockey protective gear provides complete protection, with particular emphasis on joint, limb, and torso protection. The protective gear for the knees, elbows, and chest areas is specially designed to prevent falls and stick hits.
American football protective gear, on the other hand, places more emphasis on the shoulders and chest/back areas, as head-on impacts are likely to result in injury to the shoulders and torso, and joint protection is of secondary importance.
Structural Design
Hockey protective gear usually has a modular split design, where the protective gear can be worn and adjusted separately, allowing the athlete to move freely during skating, sharp turns, and swings of the stick.
On the other hand, the rugby protective gear usually consists of a single shoulder armor, offering upper body protection, high stability, and forming a protective unit for the upper body when the gear is worn.
Ventilation and Heat Dissipation
Ice hockey is usually conducted in a low-temperature environment, and although the protective gear is thick, it should be capable of wicking away sweat and providing a breathable feature. This design provides comfort without hindering the removal of heat.
Rugby is usually conducted in a high-temperature environment, and the protective gear should provide good ventilation for the upper body and have good heat dissipation properties to maintain the player’s endurance.
Flexibility
In ice hockey, a variety of movements such as gliding, quick turns, and swinging are required, and hence, the equipment should offer enough freedom of movement without making the wearer feel restricted, allowing them to move freely and stretch.
In rugby, the movements are mainly sprinting and making physical contact, and hence, stability is required in the upper body. In this case, the equipment locks the core area more securely, compromising flexibility.
Materials
Usually, the protective gear in ice hockey has a high-density plastic casing and a foam or EVA inner lining. This gear is designed to absorb the shock of collision with the puck, stick, and/or body.
American football protective gear is usually thick and robust. It has a casing made of high-strength plastic and composite materials. The inner lining of the protective gear is made of thick foam and gel to provide maximum protection against frontal collision, tackle, and physical contact.
Wearing Experience
The weight distribution of hockey protective gear is more even, covering the whole body, but it is distributed, so one does not feel any fatigue even after a long game. American football protective gear has its weight concentrated on the upper body, is thicker, and has a wrapping effect. This type of protective gear is more protective, but it can cause fatigue after use.
Impact of Safety Rules and League Standards
The development of protective gear for ice hockey and American football is significantly affected by the safety regulations of the respective sports. Various leagues have strict regulations regarding the level of protection, materials, size, and even usage of protective gear, which directly affects the direction of development and pace of development of protective gear.
For example, in the sport of ice hockey, the NHL (National Hockey League) has specific regulations regarding the usage of shoulder pads, chest protectors, and elbow pads, especially regarding the thickness of the hard outer shell and the cushioning part of the protective gear, ensuring the proper protection of the shoulders, chests, and arms of the players from severe impacts and scrapes, without the protective gear being too thick, hindering the movement of the players on the ice.
In the case of American football, the NFL (National Football League) has particularly strict requirements regarding the protection level of helmets, shoulder pads, and back protectors. Due to the unpredictable direction and strength of impacts in American football games, the NFL stipulates that protective gear should have the capability to endure a certain amount of impact to minimize the risk of concussion, shoulder dislocation, and spinal cord injuries.
At the same time, protective gear should also comply with requirements related to weight and size to ensure that the protective effect of protective gear is not undermined owing to slippage and displacement during high-speed running and physical contact. Apart from professional football games, college and youth football games also have their own set of requirements related to protective gear.
Protective gear for younger players is generally lighter, softer, and more flexible, whereas adult professional footballers place greater emphasis on durability and resistance to impacts. Such grading standards of protective gear have spurred innovation in the selection of materials and design of protective gear.
Selection Advice
When selecting protective gear for hockey or American football, it is vital to be aware of the safety rules governing each sport. This is because different leagues have different rules on the level of protection, size, and wearing style of the gear. This affects the choice of gear.
When selecting protective gear for a hockey player, the key factor is the thickness and design of the cushioning on the shell of the protective gear on the shoulder, chest, and arm protectors. This is because the gear is exposed to a high level of impact during a game. The rules governing each league state the maximum thickness and material composition of the gear; therefore, you need to refer to the rules to avoid purchasing gear that is not compatible with the sport, which affects performance.
For American football players, the protective qualities of the shoulder pads, back protectors, and helmets must be prioritized. Considering the nature of the game, the protective gear must withstand strong impacts. In addition, the protective gear must fit properly and weigh the right amount to avoid slippage while running, as this might cause a safety hazard. Junior players can choose protective gear that is lightweight and flexible.
FAQ
1. What Protective Gear Should Ice Hockey Beginners Choose?
The basic protective equipment that ice hockey beginners should have includes a helmet, shoulder protectors, elbow protectors, chest protectors, knee protectors, shin protectors, and gloves. These protect the head, joints, chest, and lower limbs from injury due to the puck, skates, or collision. When purchasing protective equipment, it is advisable to consider one that fits well and is not too heavy to ensure that it is not only comfortable but also protective.
2. What Basic Protective Gear Do Soccer Beginners Need?
The basic protective gear that should be possessed by ice hockey beginners includes a helmet, shoulder protectors, elbow protectors, chest protectors, knee protectors, shin protectors, and gloves. These protect the head, joints, chest, and lower limbs from injury caused by the puck, skates, or collision. When purchasing protective gear, it is advisable to consider one that fits well and is not too heavy in order to ensure that it is not only comfortable but also protective.
3. Are Custom-Made Hockey Pads or Football Pads Necessary?
For most amateurs and beginners, the common protective gear is enough to ensure safety and comfort. For professional players and high-intensity games, custom-made gear is more essential. This is because custom-made gear can fit key areas well without compromising movement. For example, shin guards and chest protectors for hockey goalies, and shoulder and chest pads for football quarterbacks can be custom-made to ensure full movement and safety. Though expensive, custom-made gear is a good investment for maximum safety.
Final Thought
Hockey pads have a number of differences compared to football pads, such as the protection focus, structural design, materials, and wearing experience. When you and your team are selecting the most suitable pads, you can utilize the differences between them. If you are searching for a professional and reliable manufacturer, Golf Sportswear is a great choice for you! Welcome to visit our website or contact us for purchasing solutions!
English 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
French 
German 
Russian 
Korean