I’m always asked. “What training equipment do you use”?
An excellent question, as I’ve virtually tried out every gear on the market.
But for the last decade, I have settled on “tools” that I could not do without. Here are my ESSENTIAL GEAR for training and teaching with my private students and instructors.
This gear allows us to go a bit harder amongst ourselves.
HELMET Fig 1 Nike Bauer 1500 Hockey Helmet w/ Cage
This is Bauer’s Cheapest model. I’ve tried all their models, and I have to say that the more expensive models have no significant advantage to this basic model. Maybe it does when you are a professional hockey player. But for the short time you have the helmet on in the training we do, there is no perceived benefits.
Do not overly tighten the adjustment screws. If you over tighten, then the stress points where the screws are will crack. The helmet will last longer when you just tighten it to the point that it’s just firming up, and just re-tighten regularly. AND if you’re going to do it this way, make sure you DO CHECK the screws, or else it will loosen and fall out. Never to be found.
Another tip is that I take off the chin strap. When sparring comes to grappling range, it’s better to have your helmet yanked off rather than your head yanked off because the chin strap is garroting you.
HELMET CAGE Fig 2 Bauer 500 Hockey Helmet Cage
When I’m buying helmets for students, I just normally buy it with the standard cage it comes with as a package (cheaper price is usually the reason).
But FOR MY PERSONAL USE, I just LOVE the Bauer 500 Hockey Cage. I like it so much that I have TWO spares. But the one I’ve been using, I’ve had for about 7 years….it has outlived about 4 helmets. I just transfer my cage to a new helmet.
This cage has been with me all over the world……..from teaching the US and Korean Special Forces in Korea, all around the USA, and all around Australia.
It is workhorse that cannot be broken or killed. I’ve told my wife that when I die, this cage will go on top of my casket.
I have tried cages where it is made out of “Perspex” type of material. At first glance, it is perfect, as some people can’t get used to looking through metal bars……..however, I’ve found that after a while, the plastic will be riddled with scratches, and in cold weather, it ALWAYS fogs up. Not my personal choice.
GLOVES Fig 3 Nike Bauer Vapor V Senior Hockey Gloves
Again, this is Bauer’s cheapest model. I’ve tried their most expensive, but found them too stiff and takes too long to break in. This model only takes two or three lessons, and your good to go.
I use Size 13’s as I found the bigger size gives me some indirect protection to my wrists and forearm. When you teach a few hours a day, you need all the protection you can get.
One of my guys bought the JUNIOR model, as it provides adequate protection, but is less cumbersome. In fact, next time I need to change my gloves over……I’ll be trying out this size.
These are my Essential Protective Gear…………I’ll be doing future blogs where I cover how I make my training knives and sticks……
I use a different setup for student seminars that works perfectly for the job required whilst keeping safety in mind.
More about that later…..
Ray Floro