The goalie often takes the most abuse in a hockey game and requires the highest level of protection. He stands in front of the goal at which a hard rubber puck is hit, often at incredible speed. Injury can occur without properly-sized safety equipment. A goalie's leg pads, in particular, help provide this necessary protection, and also help to better defend the goal. Improperly-sized pads may allow gaps or limit the goalie's mobility, allowing the opposing team to score.
Step 1
Bring your skates to the sporting goods store. Ensure that you have guards on your skate blades. Determine your skate size. This will factor into the goalie pad measurements.
Step 2
Measure from your ankle to the top of your kneecap, then from the top of the kneecap to the middle of your thigh. Add these two numbers together to determine the size of the goalie leg pads that are best suited for you.
Step 3
Choose the larger size if the measurement you came up with is between sizes. It is better to have too much protection than too little. Select a pad that is one or two inches shorter if you want to increase your maneuverability.
Step 4
Select a pair of leg pads that are the appropriate measurements and try one on for proper fit. If the pad is comfortable, yet secure, and reaches to your mid-thigh, put on both pads. Stand and move around to determine if you can move forward, back and side-to-side easily.
Things You'll Need
- Hockey skates with blade guards
- Measuring tape
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