Junior Hockey Equipment Checklist for Parents
Buying hockey kit for a child is less about collecting every accessory and more about getting four fundamentals right: stick size, shoe fit, shin protection and mouth protection. Junior players grow quickly, so every item also needs regular re-checking rather than being treated as a one-season decision.
In this guide
For a first junior kit, buy the pieces that affect safety and technique before premium performance upgrades. A well-sized lower/mid-range stick, secure hockey shoes, correctly covering shin guards and a comfortable mouthguard will help far more than an expensive high-carbon stick that is too long or stiff.
At a glance
- Do not buy an oversized stick or shoes purely for “growing room”. Poor fit can make skills harder and protection less secure.
- A junior should have a correctly fitting stick, hockey shoes, shin guards and mouthguard for normal training and matches.
- Check school/club rules because local requirements may go beyond general guidance.
- Re-check fit at the start of each season and after obvious growth spurts.
- Add a glove and penalty-corner protection when the player’s role and level make them useful.
Junior kit checklist
Re-check sizes after growth spurts and at the start of a new season rather than buying excessive growing room.
The core junior kit
| Equipment | What matters most | Common parent mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey stick | Correct usable length and manageable weight/stiffness | Buying too long “to grow into” |
| Hockey shoes | Heel hold, toe room, correct outsole | Buying a full size too large |
| Shin guards | Coverage, secure fit, free knee/ankle movement | Choosing by age only |
| Mouthguard | Secure fit, comfort, undamaged condition | Reusing after it no longer fits |
| Socks/kit | Works over guards; club-compliant | Discovering match colours too late |
| Bag | Large enough for routine, easy to carry | Buying huge luggage for a small kit |
Junior hockey stick
HockeyDirect’s current junior stick collection runs through sizes from the mid-20-inch range up to 36/36.5/37.5in options, reflecting the transition from small children’s sticks into adult-length equipment.
Start with the child’s measurements. HockeyDirect currently uses top of hip to floor in inches as a starting point. Brand height charts are useful too. Current Grays and Kookaburra charts show how junior lengths step up gradually with player height rather than age.
A correctly sized stick should let the child:
- get into a comfortable low stance;
- keep the ball near the body without over-reaching;
- move the head quickly enough to dribble;
- receive and pass without feeling that the stick is pulling them upright.
For a beginner, keep the bow and construction straightforward. Mid/standard and manageable low bows are easier to learn with than specialist extreme-low or concave shapes. Lower-carbon or mixed composite constructions usually give a more forgiving feel than elite high-carbon sticks.
Junior hockey shoes
A child’s foot should not slide around inside the shoe. Too much growing room can cause heel movement, reduce control on changes of direction and create rubbing.
A practical fit check:
- Measure both feet in the socks normally worn for hockey.
- Use the brand’s current size chart for that model/region.
- Make sure the heel stays secure when the child walks, jogs and changes direction.
- Leave sensible toe space without allowing the foot to surge forwards.
- Re-check after a growth spurt rather than waiting for the shoe to become painful.
HockeyDirect currently stocks junior hockey footwear as a dedicated collection, including models from established hockey/field-sport brands.
Junior shin guards
Do not choose shin guards only from the child’s age. Body height, lower-leg proportions and the individual manufacturer chart matter more.
The guard should cover the front of the shin well, sit below the knee joint and not lift or rotate during movement. Current Grays sizing, for example, works from player height bands — a useful reminder that an “S” in one brand is not guaranteed to match an “S” elsewhere.
Replace a guard if the hard shell is cracked, protective foam is badly crushed, straps no longer secure it or growth leaves too much shin exposed.
Junior mouthguard
A mouthguard only helps if the player will actually wear it and it still fits. It should stay in place without constant biting, allow useful breathing and not have sharp, split or heavily chewed areas.
England Hockey’s current Safe Hockey guidance strongly recommends mouth protection, and its FAQ advises replacement at least annually as a practical rule, with more frequent changes for growing children or after dental/orthodontic changes.
For children with fixed braces, use a mouthguard specifically designed to accommodate braces and follow the fitting guidance for that exact model. OPRO, for example, sells dedicated braces-compatible products.
Junior gloves
A glove is a useful next purchase once the core kit is sorted. Many juniors start with a lightweight left-hand glove to protect the hand that sits at the top of the stick.
Choose a size that:
- covers the intended area of the hand;
- does not stop the child closing the hand around the stick;
- does not leave excess material flapping around the fingers;
- keeps the wrist free enough for normal stick movement.
Some manufacturers size gloves from palm width, so use the actual chart rather than age labels alone.
Penalty-corner face masks
As junior players progress, some will defend penalty corners. England Hockey currently strongly recommends face masks for penalty-corner defenders at all ages and playing formats. The club or competition should coach children on when the equipment is worn, how it is removed safely and which defensive roles need additional protection.
Never hand down a cracked or damaged mask simply because it still appears to fit.
Clothing, socks and weather gear
Ask the club or school before buying match colours. A practical junior bag often needs:
- club-approved shirt/skort/shorts;
- long hockey socks that fit over shin guards;
- warm layer for before/after play;
- waterproof jacket;
- spare dry socks/top;
- water bottle;
- small towel or wet-kit bag.
How much growing room is sensible?
“Growing room” should never make equipment unstable today.
Stick
Move to the next length only when the current height/measurement and the player’s technique justify it. Do not skip multiple lengths.
Shoes
Allow normal toe room, not a deliberately oversized fit. A shoe that slides now is not made safe by the fact it may fit in six months.
Protection
Protective kit should cover the area properly now. If it is loose enough to rotate away from the impact zone, it is too big.
When to re-check junior kit
Use these moments as automatic review points:
- start of a new season;
- after a noticeable growth spurt;
- when shoes start pinching or the heel fit changes;
- when the stick suddenly looks unusually short in stance;
- after new braces/dental work;
- after a heavy impact to protective equipment;
- when straps, foam or shells show damage.
Frequently asked questions
What should a junior beginner buy first?
Stick, hockey shoes, shin guards and mouthguard. Add a glove, bag and other accessories after the essentials fit correctly.
Should I buy an adult stick for a tall child?
Only when adult length, weight and stiffness are genuinely manageable. Height alone does not mean a child benefits from an elite senior construction.
Can a child use hand-me-down shin guards?
Yes only if they fit correctly and remain undamaged. Replace them if cracked, distorted, loose or too small.
Do children need hockey-specific shoes?
They are the best default for regular hockey because the outsole and upper are designed for synthetic-turf grip and hockey movement. Check the actual pitch and venue requirements.
How often should a junior mouthguard be replaced?
At least annually is a useful baseline in England Hockey’s current guidance, but growing children may need replacement sooner if the fit changes. Replace immediately if damaged or after relevant dental/orthodontic changes.
Should juniors wear face masks at penalty corners?
England Hockey currently strongly recommends them for all ages and formats when defending penalty corners. Clubs and competitions should apply current rules and local requirements.
Build a junior kit that fits now
Start with fit and protection, then spend more only where the player will feel the benefit. Shop junior hockey sticks, junior shoes and HockeyDirect’s protection ranges to build the kit in stages.
