Butturini using Obo hi rebound rhp

With the Junior World Cup under way at the moment, it's been interesting (well, for a kit obsessive anyway!) to observe the goalkeepers in action. And one thing that stood out in the trending switch to using the Obo hi rebound rhp for a larger blocking surface when making saves to the right, Australia's starting goalkeeper is Andrew Butturini moving away from using the new Mazon rhp over to the aforementioned Obo hi rebound rhp. Making a few standing saves with said glove on drag flicks, demonstrating the proper way to use the glove and execute said technique of covering more shooting space, was a good illustration of how it is possible to stay standing up against corners, using the time to react and block from an upright position. In terms of the switch, I'm not sure if Australia's other goalkeeping choice Eddie Chittleborough had a part to play in influencing it, seeing as he made the switch himself a while ago, akin to the Blaak/Stockmann/Jenniskens scenario for using the same glove over in Holland.

Anyhoo picographic evidence here!

http://events.fih.ch/new/match/5161#photos

Smith has definitely made the switch to Mercian rhp!

Having seen Smith star for Cannock in a recent game away against East Grinstead (which I should probably do a write-up on at some point!), it's safe to say he has made the switch to Mercian's new rhp design in the trivial pursuits of keeping track of gear worn by the elite level goalies in our beloved game! Having switched from the Obo larger profile hi rebound rhp to thinner hi control to Mercian tube style rhp, he has since made the recent switch back to a more blocking style rhp. Showing signs of interest in developing his technique and evolving and growing it (which is key to staying at the top!), it's interesting to see him go back to a more blocking style of rhp that also offers key ground work skills for a hybrid style (which is definitely important at this standard of competitive play). And you can see him using it here, pointing away at his defence!

Smith switches to new Mercian rhp design?

Another weekend of hockey and another potential gear sighting, with Cannock's Patrick Smith sighted wearing Mercian's newer 'cross-continental' rhp design. The England A goalkeeper had previously been using the pure tube style glove, with the Mercian design offering a larger blocking surface, for shot stopping, than say Obo's hi-control tube style design, but used for the attributes of making slide tackles and ground work easier with the horizontal surface. Having used the hi-rebound Obo rhp whilst at Southgate, it's interesting to see him return to a similar style glove with differing properties, like the fixed stick position, but gives him more options regards shot blocking prone and diving, although technique doesn't seem to have made much difference in conceding:

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/so30032

Fitzgerald switches to Mercian rhp design

Equipment sighting wise, Ireland's second choice David Fitzgerald, is currently using Mercian's recent rhp design with the more popular larger profile stopping area and diagonal design to help push away shots more easily when connecting with the right hand (rather than bringing the left hand across!). Fitzgerald who has taken over from previous second choice Iain Walker is currently backing up Hoofdklasse standout David Harte at the current World Hockey League tournament competition round in Rotterdam. The Monkstown starter is proving his worth in the Irish national league, helping his team to win IHL final in May.

You can see him in action with it here:

http://irishhockeyphotographers.zenfolio.com/p324861429/h5AA353D8#h5aa353d8