Quick answer: For hockey you need a stick, shin pads, a mouthguard, suitable footwear for artificial pitches, and socks long enough to cover your shin pads. Most clubs also expect you to bring a water bottle and, ideally, your own ball and a bag. Goalkeepers need specialist kit, which clubs often provide for juniors.
Whether your child is starting at a club, or you are returning to the game as an adult, it is easy to overbuy or miss something important. This checklist covers what you genuinely need for the first training session, and what can wait.
Hockey kit checklist: the essentials
| Item | Juniors | Adults | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockey stick | Essential | Essential | Sized to height; a soft, forgiving stick for beginners |
| Shin pads | Essential | Essential | Required by most clubs and leagues for training and matches |
| Mouthguard | Essential | Strongly recommended | Protects teeth from stick and ball contact |
| Hockey shoes or astro trainers | Essential | Essential | Grip and support on artificial turf |
| Long socks | Essential | Essential | Cover and hold shin pads in place; usually in club colours |
| Water bottle | Essential | Essential | Most sessions are 60 to 90 minutes |
| Ball | Useful | Useful | For practising at home and in the park |
| Stick bag | Useful | Useful | Carries stick, shoes, pads and bottle together |
| Glove (left hand) | Optional | Optional | Protects knuckles, especially in winter |
Hockey stick
The stick is the biggest purchase. Size it to the player's height and choose a mid bow with little or no carbon for beginners. A soft stick makes receiving the ball much easier. Our full guide to choosing a hockey stick covers sizing, bows and carbon in detail, and you can browse our hockey sticks by length.
Shin pads
Hockey shin pads (also called shin guards) are designed for impacts from a hard ball and sticks. Choose pads that cover from just below the knee to just above the ankle, and fit snugly under your socks without moving. Many players wear a thin shin liner sock underneath for comfort and to keep the pads in place. Browse our hockey shin guards.
Mouthguard (gum shield)
A well-fitting mouthguard is one of the most important bits of hockey kit, and many clubs require one for juniors. Self-fit "boil and bite" mouthguards are moulded at home in a few minutes. Look for the right size (youth or adult) and remould or replace it as children's teeth change. Players with braces should use a mouthguard designed for braces. See our mouthguards.
Hockey shoes
Hockey is played on artificial pitches, so you need shoes with a turf outsole: either dedicated hockey shoes or astro trainers. Do not wear moulded football boots with studs, which most hockey pitches do not allow. Our guide to hockey shoes vs astro trainers covers the different pitch types, and you can shop our hockey shoes.
Balls, gloves and bags
- Ball: having your own hockey ball means you can practise at home. A dimpled composite ball is a good all-round choice for practice.
- Glove: a left-hand guard protects knuckles from sticks and the ball and keeps hands warm in winter.
- Bag: a hockey bag or stick bag keeps everything together for training and match days.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeeping needs a full set of specialist protective equipment, including a helmet, body armour, kickers, leg guards and hand protectors. Clubs often lend kit to junior keepers, so speak to your coach before buying.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Y1 JMB Junior Hockey Stick - Blue, £39.99 at time of writing. A soft, forgiving first stick for juniors.
- Grays G600 Hockey Shinguards, £14.52 at time of writing. Lightweight, ventilated shin pads, available XXS to XXL.
- OPRO Silver Self-Fit Mouthguard, from £10.36 at time of writing. Fitted at home in minutes, in youth and adult sizes.
- Kookaburra Neon Junior Hockey Shoes, £30.00 at time of writing. Lightweight, low-profile hockey shoes for juniors.
- Rhino Hockey Ball, £4.95 at time of writing. A dimpled composite ball for practice.
- Y1 Drift Hockey Stickbag, £17.50 at time of writing. A lightweight Cordura stick bag for juniors and developing players.
FAQs
Are shin pads compulsory in hockey?
Most clubs, schools and leagues require shin pads for training and matches, especially for juniors. They are strongly recommended for everyone.
Do you need a mouthguard for hockey?
For juniors, many clubs make them mandatory. For adults it is strongly recommended: a mouthguard costs far less than dental treatment.
Can you wear football boots for hockey?
Not studded ones. Moulded studs and blades are generally not allowed on hockey pitches. Wear hockey shoes or flat astro trainers.
What should my child bring to their first hockey session?
Shin pads, a mouthguard, trainers suitable for artificial turf, long socks and a water bottle. Many clubs will lend a stick for the first session.
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