How to Order a Hockey Training Mat

Step 1

Step one in ordering the right hockey training mat for you is determining its intended use. If you plan on practicing your skating, you will require a different type of training mat than if you wish to practice your shooting. Likewise, if you are a goaltender, you will have your own unique training mats to choose from.

Step 2

Step two in ordering the right hockey training mat for you is your desired size. If you are choosing for young players, it is best to buy an adjustable sized mat as adult size mats may be too large. Also, taking size and space into consideration, most Slide Boards or Shooting Pads are roll-up designs, helping to minimize storage needs.

Step 3

If you plan on buying a hockey training mat designed specifically to help with skating, it is best to buy a combination package (mat, sized between 2x8-10 feet) that comes with the “skating booties.” Although make and model do not not differ greatly between manufacturers, it is essential to make sure that the “Slide Board” has bumpers on the two far edges of the mat. If there are no bumpers, it is not a proper “Slide Board.” Also, while it is possible to purchase “Slide Boards” without the skating booties, you will need the booties to properly use the board. Use of the Slide Board is not recommended without the proper skating booties as there is an increased risk of injury.

Step 4

If you plan on buying a hockey training mat designed specifically to help with shooting, it is best to buy a large surface shooting pad, or one that allows for additional “pads” to be attached. The shooting pad is an area of “synthetic ice” which allows players to practice shooting and stickhandling a puck, much as they would on actual ice. Although normal shooting pads are relatively large (4x8 feet), if you're not buying a Slide Board along with your Shooting Pad, you will want to make sure you get one that is of a compatible size.

Step 5

If you are a goaltender and you plan on buying a hockey training mat, you are going to want to consider its overall size(area) as well as its slide, or glide, ability. Designed to reproduce the area of a goaltenders crease found on normal hockey playing surfaces, the goaltending training mat is also made of a “synthetic ice” that is geared specifically to allow the goaltender to practice his movements in front of the net while enjoying a remarkably similar feel to playing on actual ice. This pad is great for conditioning or breaking in new equipment.

Step 6

The sixth and final step in ordering the right hockey training mat for you is to research and compare prices between online and in-store options.