Hockey sock
Encyclopedia
Hockey socks are ankle-to-thigh garments worn over protective gear by ice hockey
players. They are form-fitting, traditionally made of a cotton or synthetic rib-knit fabric. Experiments have been made with a lightweight fabric "sock," of material similar to that used in hockey jerseys
, and most recently (mid-2000s) with a streamlined lightweight "sock" used by the U.S. Olympic
and other international teams. Hockey socks should not be confused with Hockey skate socks which are thin traditional style socks worn over the foot (inside the skate).
They are held up either by a garter (old style) or attached to undershorts with Velcro
tabs. In the past, players kept their socks inside the upper ankle area of their skates, but newer style (mid-90s to the present) calls for the sock to be pulled down over the outside heel of the skate.
Athletic tape is generally used below the knee to hold the sock in place, and sometimes at the ankle as well.
Hockey socks, along with a jersey, are considered part of a team uniform under USA Hockey's
rule 304(a) (2005-06 season) and are required as coverage for protective equipment (shinguards). Organized teams wear hockey socks in designated team colors, complementary to the team jersey.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
players. They are form-fitting, traditionally made of a cotton or synthetic rib-knit fabric. Experiments have been made with a lightweight fabric "sock," of material similar to that used in hockey jerseys
Hockey jersey
A hockey jersey, traditionally called a sweater , is a piece of clothing worn by hockey players to cover the upper part of their bodies. "Sweater" is the correct reference in Canada, despite the material...
, and most recently (mid-2000s) with a streamlined lightweight "sock" used by the U.S. Olympic
United States at the Olympics
The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Olympic Games, except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted.The United States Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee for the United States....
and other international teams. Hockey socks should not be confused with Hockey skate socks which are thin traditional style socks worn over the foot (inside the skate).
They are held up either by a garter (old style) or attached to undershorts with Velcro
Velcro
Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
tabs. In the past, players kept their socks inside the upper ankle area of their skates, but newer style (mid-90s to the present) calls for the sock to be pulled down over the outside heel of the skate.
Athletic tape is generally used below the knee to hold the sock in place, and sometimes at the ankle as well.
Hockey socks, along with a jersey, are considered part of a team uniform under USA Hockey's
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
rule 304(a) (2005-06 season) and are required as coverage for protective equipment (shinguards). Organized teams wear hockey socks in designated team colors, complementary to the team jersey.