HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GEAR?

Great progress has been made in helmet production in recent years, so it's worth reaching into your pocket and investing in one of the more expensive models. New children's helmets also have alternative and child-friendly locking mechanisms so that children can put on their helmet without help.

As a helpful feature for you, we have integrated a filter for the size/weight of the child in our shop, making the search for a suitable stick easier.

The stick should reach between the child's eyebrows and lips without skates. The flex rating indicates how soft or stiff a stick is. The lower the flex, the easier it is to bend the stick. To learn the correct shooting technique, a child needs a stick that can bend on the ice, rewarding the proper technique. Once the stick is cut, the flex rating increases. Vikkela Hockey has addressed this issue in children with new flex levels. The flex increments are smaller (16/18/20/25/30/35/40/47), so the child doesn't have to play with a stick that is too stiff.

Our sticks are available in the two most commonly used curves. P92 is the more straightforward curve, suitable for shooting, puck handling, or using the backhand side—it's the ideal middle ground. On the other hand, the P28 curve is more pronounced and is preferred by shooters. The curved shape facilitates puck handling on the forehand side, and moves like the Toe Drag can be learned more easily. Passing, shooting, and puck handling on the backhand side are a bit more challenging to master with the P28 curve.

The first point is the size. Parents tend to buy larger skates for children because they are still growing into them. However, it is important to buy the skate max. one size too big. Children who wear shoes that don't fit them find it difficult to control them.

Bauer has been leading the ice skate market for years and continues to produce very good ice skates. We recommend you choose Bauer, CCM, or True ice skates. A high-quality skate helps the child learn the technique more easily. For beginners, you don't necessarily have to choose the most expensive models, but definitely not the cheapest ones! As soon as a child has a good grip on the skate and is a good skater, we recommend choosing the harder and more expensive models.

Part of our S4H concept is also checking the equipment. Our players must all have the tongue of the skate hidden under the shin guard and the skates tied to the top hole (as they were designed). This is another little tip from our coaching team.

WHAT CONSUMABLES DO I NEED? The blade of the stick should always be taped, not only to protect the stick but also to have a good grip on the puck and to make it roll smoothly. Some players also coat their tape with hockey wax, making it more water-resistant and longer-lasting. Professional players often tape their sticks partially after every period and most of them do it before each training session. While it might not be necessary for children as frequently, this should not be underestimated. New tape also feels different for the child compared to well-used tape. In our shop, we also offer Rezztek Tape as an alternative, and it should be replaced over time as it wears out.

Various types of tape are used on the stick's handle. Most players use simple hockey tape, while some use colored grip tape. The key is that the grip feels natural for the player, and the child can hold the stick straight like a hammer. As an alternative, we also have S4H Rocketgrip, which is applied to the handle with hot water.

Laces last a long time with children but are still not replaced often enough. We recommend waxed or semi-waxed laces for children. Thanks to the wax coating, it's easier to tie the shoe, and once the laces are too old, they give in during training, and the skate loses its grip. Another significant issue is overly long laces; a quadruple knot is still complicated for kids at a young age, so we recommend opting for smaller sizes.