The NEW LA6 Ball Hockey Shin Pads

It's a fact that Ball Hockey players would rather have quality shin pads before any other piece of equipment. The reason is not because of the level of sensitivity, but more so the likelihood of where you would be hit. Not saying it doesn't happen anywhere else and it should be left unprotected but what we're saying is that your shins are the most vulnerable. Whether you're playing competitive or recreational, you will still get those nasty hacks to the shins. If you're playing defense, would you rather be blocking shots with your shins or with protective pads?

Those of you that prefer no pads and to take the brunt of it all, when you're tired of having cuts and bruises, give us a call. For the majority that value their shins, we understand that you also value quality. LA Sport is a company that understands quality.

They wanted to create shin pads that met top quality standards which introduces the new LA6 Shinguards, the newest Ball Hockey shin pads in today's market.

• Extremely light
• Durable and flexible
• Lined with breathable vented mesh
• Double strapping system to prevent the pads from rotating
• Strapping velcro on the front of pads to add more product lifetime

These pads value at $64.99 however to launch their new Ball Hockey shin pads, they are on sale for a limited time only at $54.99. 

Don't forget, we offer FREE Shipping on ALL returns and exchanges (view return/exchange policy) so if you're not sure about sizing, it won't cost you extra if you need to make an exchange. If you want to know how to size shin pads, then check out our sizing blog HERE. 

How to Size Shin Pads

Hello fellow players. You’ve been asking about sizing for equipment so we’re going to show you step by step how easy it is to get the right size for you. The two main items in question are Ball Hockey Shin Pads and Ball Hockey Gloves. Let’s start off with the shins.

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying Knapper AK5 Shin Pads or if you’re buying D-Gel Proteks and D-Gel Deluxe. They all come down to the same general rule. What you want to do is measure (in inches) from the top of your ankle (where the top of your shoe would end up) all the way to the middle of the knee cap. This will give you a good idea on what size pad to purchase.

Most Ball Hockey Shin Pads follow the same format such as:

• 11", 12", 13", 14", 15", 16"

Some Shin Pads such as the D-Gel Deluxe size a little differently but still follow the same rule.

• Small (11")
• Medium (13")
• Large (15")
• X-Large (16")

Now what happens if you’re in between? So for example, you measure and you’re sitting at a 14.5”. At this point we recommend to always go the next size. Better to have more protection than just not enough.

Since you can never be 100% sure when shopping online, we offer a FREE exchange so if you decide the pair you have are too big or too small, we’ll send you a mailing label to return the item and then send you the size you need. Make sure to keep the box the pads were shipped in until you try them on. When returning an item for an exchange or return, all that we ask is that it is not game worn and returned in its original packaging. You can review our return/exchange policy by clicking HERE.

If you would like to know how to size Ball Hockey Gloves, CLICK HERE.

How to Size Gloves

The biggest issue we see today is players not knowing the right size of Ball Hockey Gloves to buy online. Sure we have a FREE return/exchange policy but despite it being easy to do, we know you want your gloves right away. It is easier to check in stores to get the right feel but then we lose our options in variety. When you measure properly, you’ll be able to get the right gloves for you.

You can use a tape measure or a ruler. Same as in ice hockey, what you want to do is measure (in inches) from your elbow to the joint of your middle finger. If you end up at 14.5” or more, then you’ll probably want a 15” glove. You do not want your fingers touching or pushing against the tip of the gloves.

All the Ball Hockey Gloves we sell do follow the same rule:

• 11", 12", 13", 14", 15"

The one exception is the D-Gel Vibe gloves which you can use this as a reference:

• Small (12")
• Medium (13")
• Large (14")
• X-Large (15")

We have Knapper Ball Hockey Gloves and D-Gel Ball Hockey Gloves currently available. The Knapper Gloves are listed in 3 categories which you can view our blog that breaks down their characteristics by clicking HERE.

If you would like to know how to size Ball Hockey Shin Pads, CLICK HERE.

AK5 Gloves Vs. AK7 Gloves

Hey guys,

A common question we keep getting is what makes the Knapper AK7 Gloves much better than the AK5 Gloves?

Well let's start with the similarities.

• The gloves are designed with a lacrosse style to them to give you more flexibility. Having that extra flex in the fingers not only allows for better stick-handling, but it also makes it easier to catch the ball. We all know how much that ball can bounce on a hard pass so having some mobility in our fingers will be more beneficial than using an ice hockey gloves. 

• The palm is reinforced with some additional grip for your stick. Having the reinforced palm will give you more durability. 

• Both gloves are extremely light. They are much lighter and less bulky than an ice hockey glove giving you a great feel for the ball but with enough protection so you can focus on your game. 

• CBHA Approved, these gloves are allowed for CBHA Nationals and events. 

What separates them?

• The AK7 has a split cuff providing more flexibility in the wrist for when you're stick-handling or making a wrist shot. The AK5 has a basic cuff. 

• The added thumb protection protects you when someone is trying to lift your stick or trying to whack your stick. Similar to an ice hockey thumb, you still maintain the flexibility required in your fingers but keep the protection you need on your thumb. 

• The next best thing is the Slash Guard. How many times do you feel that slash on top of your hand? It's aggravating but at here's an excellent way to get some added protection while maintaining a light and flexible glove.  

The gloves are available in different colours. You can check them out on our site, www.ballhockeygear.ca. 

If you're looking for a bare minimum glove.because you don't like wearing gloves but are required by the league, then we recommend the AK3 Gloves or the D-Gel Vibes. 

   

We understand that shopping online can be a concern especially when it comes to sizing. That is why we offer a 30 day return/exchange policy. All that we ask is that you don't wear the products in a game and that you return them in their original packaging. 

Best part is, you don't have to pay shipping to return or exchange them. We'll cover that for you. Just email us at info@ballhockeygear.ca with your order number and the size that you would like to exchange for and we'll email you a packing slip that you can print out. It's that easy.

We got our Summer Blowout Sale going on until end of August but only while supplies last. Sizing is limited until September so don't wait. Suit up in time for the Fall Season. 

Ballhockeygear.ca to be at East Coast Play On! tournaments

That's right! We have officially partnered with Play On! and we will be showing off our gear at the East Coast tournaments. We would have loved to do all the tournaments, however, due to time constraints, we have chosen to do our first year in the East Coast.

Did you know?

Play On! was actually one of the main inspirations to starting Ballhockeygear.ca (BHG). BHG was originally a club called Capital Sports Club that provided a league for pick up Ball Hockey. We put in a team in Ottawa in 2014 as Capital Sports Club which was made up of players from the club. We understood very well the pain to finding quality Ball Hockey equipment. At first it was from the talks in the change rooms from players looking for gear. Then when we were at Play On! we were surprised to see no booths selling Ball Hockey gear.

In July 2014, we launched Ballhockeygear.ca to provide players a central hub where they can find all the quality Ball Hockey gear they needed. When launching, one of our main goals was to someday partner with Play On!. Today marks that day!

Why Play On!?

To some, it may seem obvious. Play On! is the largest street hockey festival in Canada with thousands of participants. That is not the main reason though. Play On! shares the same passion as we do. They love the sport. They want to help make it grow and bring attention to our sport in our communities. They are no business tycoon that is trying to take our money. They are hard working individuals making sure we have the greatest experience in one of the best Street Hockey tournaments in the world. They are in it for us.

Is your Team in?

The answer should be yes! Get some players lined up. Register on their site at www.playon.ca. If you're looking for a team to join, post on their Facebook page by clicking HERE. You can also check for your local Play On! Facebook pages. This tournament is truly an experience to be had and this is coming from a guy who's been in it since 2011 and will for sure be playing this year.

Ballhockeygear.ca

BHG will be at following the tournaments on the East Coast:

London, ON
May 28th to 29th

Toronto, ON
June 4th to 5th

Halifax, NS
June 18th to 19th

Mount Pearl, NL
June 25th to 26th

Ottawa, ON
July 9th to 10th

Up until the 28th of May, we will be offering a promo code where you can receive 10% OFF Shin Pads, Replacement Blades, BladeTape, and the new Knapper Ball Hockey sticks.

Promo Code: PLAYON16

www.ballhockeygear.ca

Ball Hockey Shin Pads

What is it that we're looking for in Ball Hockey shin pads? Protection obviously, comfort, knee manoeuvrability, lightness, breathable, easy to adjust, and of course style. 

Let's start with protection. The Knapper AK5 shin pads (used to be the Mylec MK5) have a flexible yet durable plastic that has been tested in batting cages. They went through several prototypes to find the perfect strength that can retain its flexibility. 

The wrap system allows the straps to wrap around your leg and the pad itself giving a you snug fit. The grip pad on the inner portion of the shin prevents the pad from sliding around. The wrap system also prevents any chances of buckles breaking which means less clear tape is needed. There is a decent layer of foam padding giving you optimal comfort. The knee guard can be adjusted for higher knee/thigh protection as well as the ankle protector which can be tied directly on to your shoes to further prevent sliding. Both can be removed completely. 

         

      

You'll notice that the knee portion is separate from the shin connected by padding. This allows the knee a full 90 degree flex. 

The pads are made of a very light plastic material. Some players don't even notice the shin pads because they're so light. There's perforated holes on the shin area to allow the pads to be more breathable. 

If you're not sure what size of shin pad you should bet getting, the rule of thumb is to measure from the top of your ankle to middle of your knee. That will give you a good idea of what you're looking for. 

For only $59.99, you can own a high end pair of Ball Hockey shin pads that will not only provide you the protection you need, but the comfort and style you're looking for. You can order through www.ballhockeygear.ca or by clicking the shop now button. 

OUBHL - Ontario University Ball Hockey League

The Ontario University Ball Hockey League is a league strictly for University students. As proud members of the Ontario Ball Hockey Federation (OBHF), they currently have 4 Universities in the 2015-2016 Season; Brock University, McMaster University, Carleton University, and Waterloo University.

The teams are now past the halfway point of their season with Brock leading the pack with 20 Points, Carleton is second with 14 points, McMaster is not too far behind with 9 Points and Waterloo trailing with 7 Points. At the end of the season, each team will be seeded for playoffs which are set up in a tournament style called the Ontario Intercollegiate Ball Hockey Championships (OIBHC).

The 2016 OIBHC will be held in Vaughan, Ontario from March 18th - March 20th where these 4 teams will be battling for the Championship title and a free entry into the OBHF Provincials.

The 4 teams will be not being doing the traditional round robin format this year. Instead it will be a double elimination series.

The Schedule is TBD.




Ballhockeygear.ca are proud sponsors of the OUBHL and will be tweeting the action live through their Twitter and Facebook accounts. Ballhockeygear.ca owner, Riel Ouimet, will also be at the event as Head Coach for the Carleton Ravens.

The OUBHL is planning to expand with new teams in the 2016-2017. In the market is Ottawa University, Wilfred Laurier University, and University of Western Ontario however no team Captains have been named yet so nothing has been confirmed.

If you would like to see your school in the next season, you can contact the league by email at ouballhockey@gmail.com.

The Truth about Ball Hockey

The Truth about Ball Hockey

by Riel Ouimet

Head Coach for the Carleton University Ravens Ball Hockey Team

Owner of Ballhockeygear.ca

So many times we hear ice hockey players tell people to go play ball hockey because they aren't "good enough" or that Ball Hockey is an easy sport. As a Ball Hockey player myself, I find that insulting. They may be right when it comes to the skating portion. I have seen some great Ball Hockey players that can't skate if their lives depended on it however Ball Hockey is no easy sport. 

Similar to ice hockey, you're playing with hockey sticks, similar rules and similar formats except there are two big differences. Cardio and Equipment. Players play just as hard as any other sport except they are not able to glide and gain speed with a couple strides as in ice hockey. They are required to have explosive bursts of speed with quick pivots to maintain control of the ball and open passing/shooting lanes. They are also required to rely a lot on passing since there's more time for the defence to move into position and block shooting opportunities. 

They also play with hardly any equipment. There's no foam puck, that's Floor Hockey. We play with an Orange ball that will leave a nasty bruise when you get hit especially when playing with the D-Gel Pro Ball. Unlike ice hockey, players block shots with hardly, if any, equipment so that they can help out their fellow tendies such as myself. As much as we tell our players that we have the padding, they still sacrifice for the sake of the game. 

How Can We Help?

The more I watched guys get hit or took the shot for me, I wondered if there could be a way I could help out my team-mates. So many times I'd hear them discussing where they could find good ball hockey equipment. I'd hear a few different store names but none specialized in this niche sport that is growing so quickly. Not only was I able to find a way to help my team-mates, I was able to help the entire Ball Hockey Community with Ballhockeygear.ca. 

Now Ball Hockey players are able to find all the gear they need to play comfortably with protection. We have a variety of options from jerseys to shin guards and even Ball Hockey shoes. Here's a sample what we have to offer. 

Jerseys

We recommend sublimated jerseys for two reasons. 1st reason is because the rice mesh material used for the jerseys is extremely light and breathable which is excellent for playing Ball Hockey. They don't double in weight when you sweat and they are much more comfortable than your standard iron logo on a cotton T-Shirt sort of deal. (For those on a tight budget, we understand and we can still do heat press shirts)

The second reason is the options to have a unique design. We have partnered up with LA Sport who have some amazing artists that can turn your idea into a reality. You can put your name, number, logos at no extra cost and you can have as many colours and graphics as you want. There's no limitation. 

Here's an example of how a project went from an idea to a finished product:

   BEFORE                                                    AFTER

                          

You can order jerseys by contacting us at info@ballhockeygear.ca. 

Protective Clothing

We have several options when it comes to protective apparel. We have the new Knapper products releasing this month and our most popular brand has been Shock Doctor. 

We have protective shirts, compression wear, jocks, padded shorts with cups, and more. 

Gloves

Our main brands for gloves are Knapper and D-Gel. The most popular demand for Ball Hockey gloves has been for something that is light, less bulky and flexible while still providing the protection needed. Brands such as D-Gel and Knapper have designed their gloves to meet these needs. Their top gloves are shown here. 

AK7 Ball Hockey Gloves

   

The AK7 Ball Hockey gloves come with full thumb protection as in ice hockey gloves. They are equipped with slash guard technology to protect your hand at the thumb joint. The Split Cuff offers you wrist protection and passes the standards of the CBHA. (Canadian Ball Hockey Association)

D-Gel Komodo Gloves

The Komodo Gloves offer a lighter feel with stable protection. The palm is a mesh palm allowing more breath ability and the wrist is secured with a drawstring. These gloves offer excellent manoeuvrability when playing. 

Shin Pads

Our top selling item here at Ballhockeygear.ca are shin pads. It doesn't matter what level of Ball Hockey you play, you'll always receive a lovely hack to the shin or a beautiful bruise from a blocked shot. 

As the one stop shop for Ball Hockey gear, we have pads for all types of players. Unfortunately we are currently out of the Classic Mylec Shinpads and due to the exchange rate, we don't have plans on restocking any time soon. 

Here are our top selling Ball Hockey shin pads. 

               

Ball Hockey Shoes

There are now shoes made specifically for Ball Hockey. Knapper has designed the MK5 shoes which are now on clearance for 20% off. These shoes come with a Toe Guard for additional protection against slashes and shots. The court grip gives excellent traction on all surfaces including gym floors, slab, and dek. 

The new Knapper shoes offer more in variety for protection from the AK5 to the AK7. 

          

For those looking for the lighter court shoes, we do offer the option through Salming, a well known brand in Europe making its way into Canada. Salming is popular for its shoes and equipment in the sport of Floorball. Since Floorball is played in a similar style to Ball Hockey, players are able to play with featherlite technology. 

   

For more product options, you can visit our site at Ballhockeygear.ca. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, you can contact us at info@ballhockeygear.ca. 

Why Defenders are going to Love the New Padded Shorts

We've all had our share of bruises. Regardless what position you play, at some point you have taken a shot from that harmless looking ball. Most complaints about Ball Hockey are the broken toes, charlie horses, and bruised faces from shots of the ball.

Now why don't we just play with a softer ball? Well that would ruin the game simply because the ball would stick which would conflict with our ability for dekes and trick passes. It would also cause more curves during heavy point shots making them more unpredictable for players to avoid.

The other option is to stop blocking shots but let's face it, when you're determined to win, you'll take the pain and give your goalie a break. After all, he/she's wearing all that gear and stopping roughly 60 shots a game, the least you can do is help him/her stop a few. As much as we complain, we still do it because that's the game.

What if you could still block shots but reduce the pain? Is that worth trying out? Why not? If there could be a type of clothing you could wear that isn't bulky, that allows you to have the same manoeuvrability, and protect you while blocking shots, then why not give it a try.

Knapper Protective Wear

Lucky for us, Knapper was able to come up with some protective wear that answers just that. Introducing the new Engineer Protection Shorts and Shirts, you can now play comfortably while staying protected.

Breathable, lightweight and fully adjustable, you will be able to keep all the range of motion you need to make your plays. The padding is positioned in all the critical areas.

      

We do not have sizing or padded shorts for women as of yet however the cup is removable and can be replaced with a Pelvic Protector. For women, we recommend getting the shorts one size lower. 

For only $59.99, you can have that much needed protection. Available this February, you can now pre-order your own pair and have it sent to you as soon as they release. 

Knapper Ball Hockey Shoes

For those of you still suffering the woes of having broken toes, we suggest the Knapper AK shoes that will be available this February. Our feet are vulnerable to slashes and slap shots. It's inevitable! We could wear steal toed shoes but that would be unnecessary weight for running. 

Most of us are wearing court shoes for grip. Grip is essential in ball hockey but how's the durability and protection? 

Knapper provides grip, durability, AND protection with their AK shoes. Each shoe provides a different level of protection. The shoes are fairly light, a bit heavier than a court shoe but if you're looking for protection, you'll have to sacrifice a bit of that lightness. That's why court shoes are so light, because there is absolutely NO protection. 

You can check out our shoes HERE or by clicking on the images below. 

AK7 Ball Hockey Shoes

AK5 Ball Hockey Shoes

  

AK5 Women's Ball Hockey Shoes

AK3 Junior Ball Hockey Shoes