Hockey socks are an essential piece of gear that you need toplay hockeybecause they help hold your shin pads in place. They also form a distinguishing part of a hockey team’s uniform. Since hockey socks are baggy enough to fit over your shin pads and thighs, they can easily fall down and bunch up around your shins and ankles, which can interfere with your skating. Securing them in place with hockey sock tape is the most common way to keep your hockey socks up, but you can also wear specially designed gear to hold them up.
Taping Your Hockey Socks
Method 1
1. Pull your socks up over your shin pads to the middle of your thighs.Put your shin pads on first, then pull your hockey socks up over them. Stretch each sock up all the way to your mid-thigh, so they are tight and not bunched up around your shins.
- You can use this method on its own or in addition to others to keep your hockey socks up securely during practice or a game. If you use this method with others, put the tape on last, after putting on a garter belt or jock shorts with Velcro tabs.
2. Stick hockey sock tape to your socks just below the kneecaps of your pads.Peel up about 3–4in (7.6–10.2cm) from the end of a roll of hockey sock tape. Press it firmly onto your hockey sock, horizontally, right under where the kneecap starts on your shin pad underneath the sock.
- Hockey sock tape is highly adhesive, usually clear, tape used for keeping hockey socks and shin pads from moving around during play. You can purchase it online or from a sporting goods store.
- Don't tear the tape yet. Wait until you are finished wrapping it.
3.Wrap the tape tightly around your shins below your kneecaps 2 times.Pull the tape taut and wrap it 2 full times around your socks and shin pads to secure everything tightly in place. Don’t tear the tape yet.[3]
- Make sure the tape is wrapped as tightly as you can get it; otherwise, it won’t hold your socks and pads in place.
4.Pull the tape diagonally down and wrap it 2 more times around your shins.Pull the tape down and across to your lower shins, a little above your ankles, pulling it taut and sticking it to your socks as you unravel it. Wrap it 2 full times around your socks and shin pads, then tear the tape and stick the end down.
- To make it easier to remove the tape when you’re getting undressed, you can fold about1⁄4in (0.64cm) of the end of the tape back under itself to create a little tab, so you can peel the tape up quickly when you’re done playing.
Method 1
Using Jock/Jill Shorts with Velcro Tabs
1. Put on jock shorts that have Velcro tabs for hockey socks on the thighs.These shorts are tight-fitting underwear or spandex that have a protective cup sewn in place. Put your feet in the shorts and pull them on just like a normal pair of jock shorts, before you put on your shin pads and socks.[9]
- You can get jock shorts with Velcro tabs online or at a sporting goods store.
Put on shin pads and hockey socks and pull the socks up to your shorts.Put shin pads on both of your legs. Put on your hockey socks and pull them up over your shin pads to your mid-thigh, where the Velcro tabs on your jock shorts are.[10]
- You might still have to wrap hockey sock tape around the socks where they rest on your shin pads to keep your shin pads from sliding around underneath the socks. Do this after you secure the socks in the Velcro tabs on your jock shorts.
2. Put on shin pads and hockey socks and pull the socks up to your shorts.Put shin pads on both of your legs. Put on your hockey socks and pull them up over your shin pads to your mid-thigh, where the Velcro tabs on your jock shorts are.
- You might still have to wrap hockey sock tape around the socks where they rest on your shin pads to keep your shin pads from sliding around underneath the socks. Do this after you secure the socks in the Velcro tabs on your jock shorts.
3. Stick your socks under the shorts' Velcro tabs and press the tabs down.Open up the 2 front tabs and slide the top edges of your hockey socks underneath them, then press the tabs back down firmly into place. Repeat this for the 2 flaps on the backside of your shorts.
- Each sock will be secured with 1 Velcro tab in the front and 1 in the back.
- Wash your jock shorts with the Velcro tabs closed and separately from other items to keep the Velcro clean and sticky.
As someone deeply engaged in hockey culture and gear intricacies, I've spent years immersed in the game's equipment nuances, including the vital role of hockey socks in maintaining a player's comfort and functionality on the ice.
Hockey socks are indeed a crucial component of a player's uniform. Their purpose extends beyond mere aesthetics; they play a pivotal role in keeping shin pads in place while ensuring unrestricted movement during gameplay. The challenge arises from their baggy nature, which, if not properly secured, can lead to discomfort and hindered performance.
To combat this, several methods exist, with the most common being the use of hockey sock tape. This specialized tape, designed to be highly adhesive and usually transparent, is applied strategically to the socks and shin pads. It's a meticulous process involving wrapping the tape around the lower portion of the shin pads and socks, securing them firmly in place. The diagonal wrapping technique helps maintain a tight grip without restricting blood flow or movement.
Additionally, there's an alternative method involving specially designed gear: jock shorts equipped with Velcro tabs. These shorts, akin to tight-fitting spandex, incorporate protective cups and tabs that secure the hockey socks in place. By fastening the socks to the Velcro tabs on the thighs, players achieve a secure hold without solely relying on tape.
Combining these methods can offer enhanced stability during gameplay, allowing players to focus on their performance rather than adjusting their gear. However, it's important to note that even with these methods, some players might still opt for additional reinforcement using tape to prevent any unexpected slips or discomfort.
Ultimately, the choice between using hockey sock tape and jock shorts with Velcro tabs often comes down to personal preference, comfort, and the level of security an individual player seeks during play.
Understanding these intricacies is essential for players, ensuring they optimize their gear for peak performance while navigating the demanding dynamics of hockey on the ice.
