Tongue In vs. Tongue Out

[traquino98 0]

I have been playing hockey for just a couple of years now. I have always tucked my skate tongue underneath my pads when I play. However, I have also noticed several players that have the tongue sticking way out. Is there any difference in performance, or is it just cosmetic? I don't feel that I am a skilled enough player to be able to evaluate the differences on my own so I was hoping for some additional input. I would like to know what the reasons for the differences are. Is one way better than the other in a specific area (ie. turning), or again, is it just a cosmetic preference?

Thanks,

Scott

[dsjunior1388 81]

its mostly cosmetic.

[xstartxtodayx 343]

It's mainly personal preference. Growing up it was always tongue out for me (b/c that's what everyone did) but then I switched to tongue in about 10-12 years ago b/c I liked the style better and haven't went back. The tongue out style seems to be making a come back in popularity, especially the old school flopped over tongue look which was really common in the 80's/early 90's (yup, been there done that w/ my Bauer Supreme 2000's).

[Law Goalie 147]

Some claim tongues-out give more freedom to the ankle; other say it just looks good.

Some say tongues-under lets them wear longer shinpads, and is thus more protective; others say it's simply more comfortable.

It's personal preference: try both and use the one that feels better, or failing that, the one that looks better. If you change skates or shins, the preference may change as well.

[hockeyshmockey10 0]

for me i always bought shin guards that allowed me to wear them with the tongue out, so smaller sized ones. i switched to defense and took a number of shots in that area, reversed the set up and it allowed me to get slightly larger shin pads. besides that i feel i have no problems with stride, feels more natural

[Jarick 5]

I skated tongue in when I had bigger shin pads, then switched to smaller ones and went tongue out. Recently I switched back to tongue in because the shins are still a bit big, and tucking in the tongues means the shins aren't rubbing against the skate.

Try it both ways and see what you like.

[K9 Unit 1]

ye i wear tongue in coz it kinda feels like everything is part of my leg/feet, my socks cover the back of the skates too...if u get what i mean =P feels more stable

[reyno2ac 0]

I wear tongue in because the tongues on my 9k's are way to short to fold over. I've never skated tongue out though.

[shoeshine boy 242]

when I first started out I had Jofa 2000 shin pads that allowed me to go tongue out but after I got tired of constantly getting bruises on my shin from shot blocking I upgraded my shin pads to Bauer 8000 which were a little longer (despite claiming to be the same size) and I was forced to go tongue in. it took a little getting used to but now I prefer it.

[metalwinger13 1]

i skate with tongue in, mainly cause its more comfortable. when i started playing ice i would have the tongue out and it was very uncomfortable. i could seem to skate right and just didnt feel right, so one day i decided to try tongue in and its been smooth sailing since then.. just got to mess around and see what fits your personally skating style i guess

[s4gobabygo 0]

another vote for tongue in... longer shin pads for shot blocking blah blah blah...

[Skoda10 14]

I too started toungue out when I began playing at the age of 12. Basically I didn't know there was any other way you did it. Then in high school around junior year or so I decided to be a cool kid and I liked how tongue in looked better and switched.

I don't recall a performance difference between the two though.

Now I would never think of switching back.Tongue out just looks bad to me.

Kind of reminds me of Grampa Simpson, I used to know what cool was, but then they changed it, and now what's cool is frightening.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

I had tongues out until I got the 8090s, and started putting them in. Now I wear slightly longer shinpads. If I had longer tongues I could flop, but I don't like the way it looks anymore.

[traquino98 0]

Cool. Thanks for all of the replies. That definitely answers my question.

[colt45 0]

the guys i know "get the flop goin" (tounges out) cause they think it's cool, so mainly they do it for looks. i've tried it with my 9k's and then stopped when they started giving me lace bite, and ive tried them on my S15's but stopped after lacebite, and lastly i also tried them with my Vapor XX's but didn't like the way they looked, tounge seemed too short.

So i wear tounges in, and i never have rash problems and my ankle's feel fine too. however i might get white felt tounges, and in that case, i'll prolly wear tounges out

[cptjeff 0]

I do tongues out, because it just looks and feels right. Hockey socks in the skate looks a lot cleaner, and the mobility is nice. I actually don't like the long flop look, It just looks sloppy to me.

In terms of look, my skates are closer to this then anything:

No crazy long tongues, no bright laces (mine are black though)... I wear my socks the way they're meant to be worn.

[benz88 0]

with my grafs i went tongue out because it felt more comfortable than with them in. not i'm in some nbh shifts and the tongues smaller and fit nicely under the shin pads so i were them in now.

[cerps 0]

Tongues out was the only way you used to be able to wear them due to the stirrups that were at the bottom of the socks. I've stuck with it only because I tried tongues in and it just felt weird.

[DevilsFan38 0]

I wear my tongues in. I tried both ways when I first put on shinpads and tongues out just felt awkward.

[Law Goalie 147]

Tongues out was the only way you used to be able to wear them due to the stirrups that were at the bottom of the socks. I've stuck with it only because I tried tongues in and it just felt weird.

Good point... that's absolutely it.

[CheesePlz 0]

I wear tongues in. But every once in a while i try tongues out just to see if i've changed, and it always feels weird, like theres no ankle support. I just wanna look like kovy :(

[J_kwan19 0]

I recently switched from in to out just to see how it looked and absolutely loved it. Like mentioned, at first it feels pretty awkward and loose but after a bit, I really started to like the mobility it gave me. Plus it looks sweet B)

[HattrickSwayze 3]

I started tongues out when I first started skating, but have been doing tongues in for quite a while now. I decided to try tongues out in a game and a stick and puck a few weeks ago. When I had time to think about it at the stick and puck, you can feel getting a little more forward flex. But in a game, I didn't even really notice it. I went back to tongues in because I guess I won't try and fix what's not broken. Plus the silver One75 tongues don't look that cool hanging out.

If I hadn't spent so much money on my current shoulder pads, I'd buy some bigger ones to cover up more of my skate. Spezza uses pretty big shin pads, and it's a good look I think. Plus a little more protection.

[Antkowiak 0]

I recently switched to tongues in and am much more comfortable. When I first started a few years back, I had my dads old socks with stirrups and had to flop, and always felt like no matter how tight I tied, my skates were loose. Now, I have newer skates and socks, so I decided to try the tuck and have had far less concern with feeling like I'm on wobbly ankles. Also, being short (5'7" ish) it allows my shin guards to sit more comfortably to me. One thing I don't do is full tuck. I don't get why anyone would tuck the tendon guard, especially if they tape. It always seemed to me to be counterproductive because every flex of your foot would pull the guard away from the shin anyways, especially on the Vapor XXXX series, that tendon guard is steep!

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

With me, it is all about the boot height.

When I wore Graf 705 and Mission SuppleFit skates, I did not go tongues out. Not only that, I could wear a 16" shinpad. I kept the pad behind the tongue but didn't flop. With the taller boots (Bauer and CCM U+) I switch to 15" shinpads, skip an eyelet and fold the tongue over so that I get more forward flexion.