A good shoulder pad will provide protection in all areas including the collar bone, ribs, sternum, chest, back, and biceps. 

 A good fit is essential for the prevention of injury. Some shoulder pads come with removable abdominal guards and adjustable bicep guards.

Shoulder pads worn too large will restrict movement in the shoulders, resulting in a loss of shooting and passing ability. When pads are loose, they do not fit to the body properly. Sticks can get in these gaps and cause injury.

Measurements for Shoulder Protection - Measure the length in inches from below the armpits and around the chest. This measurement is listed in the tables below:

Also take into consideration the level of play.

Shoulder pads should fit snugly while the vital tips of the shoulder must be properly under the shoulder caps.

The bicep pads should not interfere with the player’s elbow pads.

Key points to remember

• Measure the player's chest below the arm pits.
• Match the player’s chest measurement to the shoulder pad size.
• Player height is a secondary guide. Chest size is primary.
• A player should have good range of motion while wearing shoulder pads. To test range of motion, lift arms above shoulder height - ensure the pads do not dig into the neck.