Smith switches from Mercian rhp

With little to comment on for kit changes so far, it seems noteworthy to mention that both Paddy Smith and Ketts have both switched their right hand gloves for the Obo version. As this season cranks up a notch in international involvement and training programmes, with the Olympics next June, I wonder if sponsorship has anything to do with it.

Smith himself as switched from the 'cross-continental' design of the Mercian rhp (a glove that had a lot to do with Nick Brothers' input and use of the TK rhp at the time), as demonstrated by Peter Savage's action photography:

http://hockeyimages.co.uk/so58217

The Obo Hi rebound glove now being used offers a larger blocking surface at the cost of more usage and movement on the ground when slide tackling etc. With Smith playing a more stand-up style as shown in his desire to stay on his feet for clearances and shot stopping early this season, it actually offers him more positives for his style. Presumably he had time to 'break in' the glove over the off-season in preparation for game time when it really matters.

Harris back in Obo kit

Although there haven't been too many kit changes to write home about over the past few months, it is worth noting that George Harris, Fareham's stalwart guardian of the cage, has switched back to using Obo foam. For the last few seasons he was wearing Mercian foam after a long preference for Obo. Interestingly Chris Hibbert made a similar switch back to Obo in his final season before retirement (having himself worn Mercian foam). What works for you is the most present motto for a goalkeeper and with Harris clearly happy in /obo, he's sure to be putting in some strong performances at Fareham to help out his team mates in their efforts to climb the West conference league table.

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/4m53906

Henet switches to Brabo LHP

Keeping apace with following the Belgian national league, it would also appear that there have been a few kit changes with some of the very best goalkeepers in Europe as well (personally I really rate Belgian's current crop of goalkeepers, but more on that some other time!). Leopold's starter Romain Henet, the incredibly young starter with Euro Hockey League experience (who also just happens to be pretty good; athletic, confident and with a strong technical basis), has made the switch from using TK gloves (both lhp and rhp) to using the Brabo lhp, which itself has incredible ping and rebound to it. This is interesting given the style and shape and design of the glove; the Brabo having an even thinner profile than the TK lhp, with soft foam used for incredible rebound, which against stingy shots at this level can have an impact on technique and confidence, as well as use. Whether this has anything to do with possible Brabo sponsorship, I have no idea, but could have an impact on his game, no matter how small the detail.

This is different to what he has been using over his development as a goalkeeper, as you can see in the following clip in EHL action:

Unfortunately I haven't been able to embed the difference, but you can see him in the white helmet and white dangler and Leopold strip black and white bar shirt, with the black Brabo lhp and red pads and kickers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4lSCnWU2vc

Brighton's first choice Dave's kit changes

And being the goalie anorak I am (not really sure what else to say!), it looks like Dave has made a few changes with his set-up. Before this season, he was wearing elbow pads on both arms, with tubigrips to offer cover against astroburns when sliding in, he went down to just an elbow pad on the right, to give more freedom of movement for his left arm for those quick reaction saves, allowing greater motion with the left hand covering in front of the body on both sides (as displayed in his diving save to his right with the left glove used instead of the right to turn the ball out and away to safety, past the pitch line). But it looks as if he's gone as far as ditching the elbow protection altogether, following the trend of a lot of goalkeepers now in England, with the influence of Dutch goalkeepers.

And instead is just using a tubigrip on the right arm to offer said cover for when sliding in on hockey pitch surfaces, with the arms of a baselayer rolled up, kind of useful in this strange non-English weather we've been experiencing lately!!

As well as this he's also got rid of the square dangler that he was wearing in conjunction with his helmet/wire cage cat-eye combo. Not sure these is totally advisable, but can tuck his chin if worried about dodgy headshots. Not something seen really around the English leagues, so seemed worth mentioning on my train of goalie kit related thinking patterns...!