Stick grip tape mod

Another quick equipment tip I wanted to share was one you hardly ever see but is very practical, especially when switching between a strong grip and then extension when reaching out with the stick, but is also great for providing a stronger grip in the stance of the stick and rhp. As far as I know (but don't quote me on it!), it's a mod used in Holland with goalkeepers like Pinoke's starter and Jaap Stockmann using a grip like this. Or at least from what I've seen!

It's quite self explanatory in terms of taping at the top of the handle, but a diagonal criss-cross seems to work better for creating a sort of circle bump which offers a better surface area and grip for holding the stick in the hand. I used a "traction grip" made by Grays, from their international range. It's a self adhesive grip, so will stick itself on and the grip itself is non-slip and a textured design to provide getter control at the fingers when gripping the stick in a holding position.

I will be trialing it out and will hopefully feedback with thoughts when I have got used to the new style of grip. The style of grip is a lot like the ice hockey goalie trigger grip set-up, with the idea of creating a firmer grip for stick saves and use of the stick (i.e. doesn't come lose when tackling, stronger rebound control against harder shots when logging/diving etc.). I will probably do an article to go up on Obo's Keeper Resources at some point (when I have more time, which !) with a bit more detail and explanation, but the photos should hopefully give enough impression vis a vis how to and what, with a demonstration of the grip/hand positioning changes offered.

 

A couple of national league goalkeepers using 'kinked' sticks

For a little while (maybe up to ten years ago even?!), goalkeeping sticks with a new design and innovation, to allow extra coverage down low. Whilst a lot of sticks remain with the changed head of the stick altered to provide a larger blocking shape at the end of the stick, there are some designs that go one step further. These 'kinked' designs theoretically allow more coverage due to the shape. Designed in such a way that bend in a way that gives a little more blocking area, they theoretically give more coverage stick or glove side, either side, when going to ground to tackle, or block (i.e. log etc.). Providing extra blocking surface area, when pushed onto the pitch and used for ground saves along the pitch surface. Basically, a flat stick only covers that horizontal line, but a stick with a bend or 'kink' in it gives extra coverage low, as there is enough gap to cover higher, but not enought to allow the ball to sneak through under!!

Personally, I don't know how you'd change technique or make use of it properly for high shot stopping. No idea if there would be a redirect back in on yourself into goal if saving with the shaft of the stick! And concerned about the weight distribution for balance whilst holding and saving in the upright.

I know Canterbury's Ben Cowling is the only goalkeeper (as far as I know!) in the men's national league (in the premier division) in England, using one. But Staines' goalkeeper in the women's national league is also using one. Again, a Grays stick!

Here is a picture showing Staines' goalkeeper and her equipment set-up, including the Grays' model of their 'kinked' stick:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelmsfordblue/8625919684/in/set-72157633182178820

'Half dutch' set-ups

With goalkeepers 'going Dutch' and not wearing full arm padding to give , some have been experimenting with the options over covering other areas of the arm without stopping full movement at the arm wanted from not wearing arm pads in the first place! Chris Hibbert has customised such a set-up, using the Obo arm pads and cutting them above the elbow joint, to provide ample protection to the upper areas of both arms, considering the space shown above the gloves that could be hit up close etc. Something Tommy Alexander wrote about and tried out on the Obo KR site. Not sure how Hibbert attaches the arms to the chest pad though!

As seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12608538@N03/8066779825/

With the old TK body armour; separate arm pads and whichever chest pad was used, the bottom half (with stronger elbow pads) of the arm was detachable, meaning the top half bicep protection could be worn without infringing the elbow, leaving the elbow joint free for extra movement. This seems to be the most popular way of going about such a set-up as shown by the examples below.

Clydesdale's first choice in the Scottish national league first division uses it. And Clydesdale's goalkeeper can be seen via the links, where you can notice the bicep protection sticking out under his jersey:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43676429@N02/5507346712/in/set-72157626093106067

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43676429@N02/5179350093/in/set-72157625318488913

It also seems pretty popular in South Africa, with the TK set-up from their previous body armour. Jacques Le Roux as blogged before has worn this set-up. Here's Michael Smith in provincial action using the same set-up as Le Roux and the Scottish goalkeeper:

http://www.fieldhockey.com/archives/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1268:news-for-19-august-2011&catid=34:august&Itemid=40

Alexander's extreme rhp mod

Before his switch to TK, Tommy Alexander was still pushing the boundaries with the possibilities of kit modifications with the Obo kit he was using. He cut away a circular style shape hollow as Jimi Lewis had done previously, but went further, with a thumb strap rather than wrist strap, to keep the stick and wrist in place.

You can see it in all its glory here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bekids/6406492521/in/set-72157628162318433

Kettle's TK rhp mod

David Kettle currently uses a modified TK rhp a lot like the attempts to give the Obo hi rebound rhp more movement and rotation at the wrist. By doing so, it makes it easier to turn away shots with the right glove rather than having to bring the left hand across (over rotation, less drive into the shot to turn away the rebound etc.) and also makes 'ground work' (diving saves, clearing the ball with the stick, 'logging' etc.) easier. It has a cut into the backhand wrist protector, to free up more space.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12608538@N03/8546076486/in/pool-1375155@N25

It's something I tried to do when I bought a Monarch rhp in this style (don't think they produce it any more!) and came up with something similar. Not great, but you get the idea!

Williamson using extreme Obo hi rebound rhp mod

Iwan Williamson is probably the only goalkeeper in the national league (Alexander has moved clubs and is in TK) to be using the Obo rhp mod and not only that but its extreme version (!), following the Jimi Lewis' adaption of the Obo Hi Rebound glove, as has been mentioned in another blog post. Tommy Alexander was using a very similar adaptation, but with a thumb hold rather than the wrist strap Williamson uses. Rather than keep the bottom of the glove, this is cut off ruthlessly, to get as much possible wrist rotation and movement as possible for strong and accurate redirects when saving to the right.

As can be seen here:

http://irishhockeyphotographers.zenfolio.com/p422389128/h398989b7#h398989b7

And Alexander's mod whilst at Surbiton (before his move to Indian Gym):

https://picasaweb.google.com/102036946592577961776/Surbiton1SVSouthgateCup30thSeptember2012#5794447102729154258

Obo glove mods

This is basically for those who read the blog, that potentially might not know of experimental glove mods done for the purposes of increased movement to get behind shots with the face of the glove and turn away, as the back of the glove can often infringe the wrist/arm movement connection.

The following pictures shows what I did with my glove three years or more ago (about three!). Around the time when I had the epiphany and realisation that you could mod kit in hockey (there seem to be equipment tricks for all other sports and goalies, why not!), and went a little crazy with mods! Yes, they're expensive and yes you may cringe at the thought, but if you're worried, try and get some gloves on Ebay if you're concerned, less expenditure that way!

With the left hand, cutting away the back insert means you can't ever get infringed by it, when making a save to your left. Essentially, the taping will hold it in place and the finger inserts already done for the glove helping too.


This is something goalkeeping legend Jimi lewis started out way back when , and something Tommy Alexander ( in his own right!) . He's done a lot of experimenting with kit (I think any goalie should, to finetune their set-up and get the most of their kit and consequently ability to make saves) and one of them included following Lewis' advice on changing the Obo hi rebound rhp to get more movement out of the wrist. The comments also explain the process/features/reasons.

http://www.obogoalkeeping.com/resources/2009/12/01/making-the-robo-hr-right-glove-even-more-perfect/

As you can see in the links, it's something HWHC and University of Western Australia goalkeeper, Hamish Coats is currently using. It looks more like the curve Jimi Lewis tried to introduce:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtreelad/8461826401/in/set-72157632738640948/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumtreelad/8462923628/in/set-72157632738640948/

You can find Tommy's other great kit mods and advice here (if you so please/are interested!):

http://www.obogoalkeeping.com/resources/author/tommyalexander23/