Quick n00b questions

[TheBeatGoesOn 0]

Does the common hockey player wear a cup on the ice or is it more of a preference? Basically, would I be crazy to play without one?

Should a beginner get a helmet with a full cage or is just the see through shield in front of the eyes sufficient?

[AnthonyJTa 0]

Does the common hockey player wear a cup on the ice or is it more of a preference? Basically, would I be crazy to play without one?

Should a beginner get a helmet with a full cage or is just the see through shield in front of the eyes sufficient?

I personally think you would be crazy to play without a cup.

Facial protection all depends on the players/league, etc you're involved with. Most beginner guys start out with a full cage.... I personally didn't like it at all. Although still painful, I personally know teeth are capable of being replaced fixed (my brother lost 6, messed up his palette, and fractured bones in his face due to stick swinging incident)... eyes on the other hand, there's no turning back if there's ever a significant injury.

[trevor13478 1]

if you have testys, wear a cup

if you have teeth and would like to keep them, wear a cage

[TBLfan 25]

I always wear a cup, I have buddies that never wear one... I think they are morons.

Cage? Beginner levels, DEFINITELY wear one. I've almost got high sticked plenty of times while coaching beginners! At that level, most if not all of them lack the ability or the foresight to control their sticks enough to keep them away from your face.

[JamesCL 2]

I recommend wearing a cup, im guilty of not wearing one, and relying on the padding from my pants to slightly protect my groin...lol

dumb i know :)...but much more comfortable.

[TBLfan 25]

A players cup wont do much against a slap shot but it will absorb some impact... might be the difference between keeping them or losing them.

[Nutella 0]

Let those not wearing cups continue to do what they are doing.

Natural selection, I'd say.

1. Yes. Wear a cup. Especially if you're starting out and don't know how to get yourself out of situations in which you might get injured.

2. The visor/cage/no shield debate is as old as time. I would recommend that you use a cage, if you're starting out. The dental work isn't cheap. If a cage is too uncool, AT LEAST use a visor. We still can't replace functioning eyes.

I had a friend that had his cup shatter when he took a slapper on D. They were so swollen they were the size of like.... kiwis. Oh God it was terrible.

[TheBeatGoesOn 0]

Thanks.

I think I will go cupless and cageless. :)

Really I'll probably do the cup at least starting out and just do the visor for the helmet.

[ashtonhutch05 0]

I don't wear a cup but I wish I would. I just cannot get used to them. I've tried, but I stay grabbing my crotch the whole game. Good thing I don't really want kids anyway, so if I do lose them, it won't be the end of the world.

[MLSman 22]

Personal experience about how luck was on my side:

Since I played in a no slapshot league this year...I went out on a limb and played 2/3 of the year with no cup. I had no contact...but some close calls. I noticed too that as a defenseman I was a bit hesitant to get in front of shots. When I did step in front of them, I would put my hand in front of the Johnson. This would restrict my ability to use that hand to react quickly to the play.

So I wanted to be a little more aggressive and I decided in the last game to wear one. I was a lot more aggressive and way more productive...but wouldn't you know it...a guy took a nasty snapshot while I was forechecking...and "clank"! I was able to pick the puck up in the corner and pass it in front where one of my guys was parked in front of the net. So I got the primary assist, and my plastic protector got the second assist.

True story.

[TBLfan 25]

I dont have an issue with hindered movement with my shockdoctor jock. Of course, I'm more comfortable without a cup but it doesn't bother me. It certainly doesn't bother me enough to not wear one... but to each his/soon-to-be-her own.

[pody37 3]

I would wear a cup. Ive found that if you start out wearing something you'll just get used to it then hardly notice your wearing it as you keep playing. I find now that if i dont wear a cup i dont play as well as im always worried about losing them

[stock07 1]

Thanks.

I think I will go cupless and cageless. :)

Really I'll probably do the cup at least starting out and just do the visor for the helmet.

Where ya playing at in NC?

[burrn 0]

I would really recommend a cage. Especially in the beginning when you can't move around on the ice the way you want to.

And also, no offense to you personally, but a beginner sporting a visor would be looked at as a true n00b(at least where I am)...

[dix0r 0]

jofa jock

[TheBeatGoesOn 0]

Thanks.

I think I will go cupless and cageless. :)

Really I'll probably do the cup at least starting out and just do the visor for the helmet.

Where ya playing at in NC?

When I start, Wilmington. I assume you play in NC? Whereabouts do you play?

[ramensandwich 1]

man youd be crazy to not wear a cage. in a beginner league, there are gonna be plenty of guys that fall down and flail their stick about. they don't mean to hurt anyone... but they just aren't experienced at stick control. when i started out i banged some guys in the head with my stick and got hit some myself. crazy not to start out in a cage.

as for cup, same goes with the stick control. in adult league theres more stickwork, and inexperienced players try to lift your stick, miss, and hit you in the nuts. bad idea. once you get out there, you'll forget you have a cup on... its not that big of an inconvenience for the protection you get.

[Jake 0]

I've had guys try to spear me in the testicals on at least 2 occasions and I'd be in a lot of trouble if I didn't wear a cup.

There's a guy on my team that doesn't own a cup, he just takes an extra hockey sock and stuffs it in his underwear, then he encases his entire groin area with duct tape. Idiot.

[Nutella 0]

I've had guys try to spear me in the testicals on at least 2 occasions and I'd be in a lot of trouble if I didn't wear a cup.

There's a guy on my team that doesn't own a cup, he just takes an extra hockey sock and stuffs it in his underwear, then he encases his entire groin area with duct tape. Idiot.

How is this less cumbersome than a cup? Seriously.

I have a ShockDoctor jock (looks like boxers, for those who don't know) and it has NEVER gotten in my way. I don't really ever notice it's on... except for when it spares me from what would be an otherwise painful experience. I've never tried a jockstrap. Do those really get in the way so much so that you would forfeit the protection they offer?

[sitzlejd 0]

Cup and cage for sure. If you're a noob why would you wanna suffer lost teeth, broken noses, etc. The cup is a no-brainer at any skill level but if you were getting paid I could see the no-cage as it does improve visibility.

And even if your league is no slappers you still have to worry about sticks rocking your dome. In my experience noobs don't always have great awareness of where their sticks are flying.

[ultraman7k 0]

one guy i play with refuses to use a cup, and he plays D....last summer i was playing against him, ripped a slapper and smoked him in the nuts. he had to leave...peed blood and i can only imagine the pain...

to this day, and i know he's been playing a while, he still doesn't wear a cup. so far i'm the only one to hit him there with a shot.

[Chadd 916]

I've forgotten mine once or twice but I never say anything until we're off the ice, I don't want to tempt fate.

[The Stranger 0]

I can't believe wearing a cup is up for discussion. That is just insane.

[joshy207 15]

I'd rather play helmetless than cupless. In fact, I'd rather jump into a cage full of starving lions and tigers than play cupless.

[JR97 2]

One of the few times I went cupless was when some friends and I rented the rink and I just went out in jeans. No slapshots, but a wrist shot still hurts just the same.

I've forgotten to put the cup on before and was fully dressed. I will cuss but will undress to get one on. Missing warmups is a small price to pay for testicular protection.