Cachia wearing new Obo rhp design

With Obo's new rhp design, an improvement on the existing version of the Obo hi rebound rhp on its way into shops in the not-so-distant-future, Sheffield Hallam's starter Jamie Cachia has been spotted wearing the glove in the NOW Pension's premier league division. Scottish international Cachia who has experimented with using the TK rhp design previously, and making the switch over to the Obo design more recently, making good use of it in Sheffield's promotion winning season, he's giving the new version a run out having tried the new Monarch D3O design (made in conjunction with George Pinner's input) early on this season, as blogged about previously. Obo has been testing the design of late with Kyle Pontifex giving it a run out at the London Olympics before going into production stages. With the chance for more movement and wrist turning/rotation to angle rebounds up and away when saving to the right, the glove has been redesigned to allow this, going along the lines of Jimi Lewis and Tommy Alexander's mods that gave the same results.

You can see Cachia here with the glove in use against Surbiton recently:

http://adykerry.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/EHB-Picture-service-2013-2014/G0000WDa_LRS.izM/I0000H7RLrkBDJm4

Topsy turvy game at Saint Hill

East Grinstead managed to topple Canterbury again, this time in their home fixture, although it wasn't the free running 9-1 game they managed last time. Whilst Canterbury were first to tally, they seemed to break down defensively, consistently scoring and then failing to hold the lead. This kind of struggle between pushing up and defending seemed to be their downfall and the team structuring and unit play that helped them achieve their success last season seems to be causing problems this one. If they could keep their lead, from having been now able to catch a game in person, they would be well on their well to clicking as a team and running away with it. And if so would be higher up the table than they are, currently doing themselves a disservice with their play.

Having struggled last season and early on this season for a little while in the 2s, Diccon Stubbings was back in goal for the Kent side. I was expecting Kindler to be playing (and tbh was hoping he would be so I could get a look-in in person), so I assume the coaching staff are looking to shake things up at the back to try and see what they can do to improve performances and get better results. Stubbings seemed able to make a few spectacular saves, but then struggled with shots near him or at times when he would have been better to step off his line and close down the attacker. Tactical decisions, important at this level, like changing the corner defence, with someone needed on the right person, with him unable to extend to reach out to that exposure with the low drag flick that beat him twice, could have helped things as well.

In spite of his stance for short corners, which seems to have been changed again ever so slightly, rather just having his hands limp at his sides lackadaisically, he wasn't able to reach the low, excellently placed drag flicks from East Grinstead's attacking section. Game psychology could be another area for question, as he seemed to get caught up in the tidal wave of goals allowed that can easily put off a goalkeeper from performing at their best, which ironically their team needs of them. He was unfortunate to have faced a spot flick very early on which he could do little to stop, but at times his use of the rhp and choice of rhp perhaps, intending to use its blocking surface to its maximum, was an obvious weakness, as he was beaten past his outstretched hand.

Stubbings' PC stance.

Potton didn't have much to do, but made a double save that almost became a three save sequence at a corner, as the ball bounced up and over, managing to get across to get something on it, to no avail unfortunately. But that battling instinct is something not always seen in his play, which is a good sign for desire and will to go the distance. He was also well beaten by a well placed flick into the top right corner exactly, showing a vulnerability with height/positioning awareness, and continuing the argument about attacking depth at corners according to reaction time and reaching the ball from a close angle, as demonstrated in this save at 5:30, link: Jenniskens save

It wasn't really the best game goalie wise to see for analysis/interest, although the score line would have made it entertaining for the home fans. East Grinstead continue to show that given their strengths as a high scoring team, goalkeeper isn't going to be a massive issue, a lot like Brazil really, until it gets to the clash of the titans in the league/Euro Hockey League etc. Whilst Canterbury prove they need to be able to hold a lead, instead of constantly shooting themselves in the foot by breaking down negatively.

Morgan deputising for Chapman

Last weekend I was able to (which was cut a little short, or at least disrupted - by the lights going out - !!) get along to the Teddington - Oxted game at home for Oxted. I was hoping to see "Chappers" face up to the team who he debuted in the national league with, his old side Oxted (I was at the club when he was, so would have been good to see him play again!). But instead was surprised to see another goalkeeper in his place, and it turns out Joe Morgan, who plays for Teddington 2s generally, was deputising for him (not sure on the reason!).

Morgan was wearing all Obo, with Obo elbow pads (current design), all foam and Obo helmet and throat guard, the only non-Obo piece of kit being his neon green stick! He was also wearing a fetching hair band, which I haven't seen before, so a touch of panache too! He made some great athletic stops and was up again explosively to cover the second shot on a short corner, but Teddington broke down later on in the game for Oxted to make a comeback and tie things up.

http://www.englandhockey.co.uk//fl/ehl/current_teams_reg_players.asp?t=29&l=1&section=

Forrester's shiny new kit at Old Loughtonians

Having made the journey down south from Scotland, and making the switch to the English national league from Inverness, to ply his playing trade with Old Loughtonians in the East conference, Edinburgh graduate David Forrester can be seen wearing a new colour combo in his Obo foam. A yellow/pink number it's quite bold, helping him stand out from the crowd. Quite dashing and overtly "swag" they look pretty snazzy with the all black top/shorts set-up he has got going on. Seems like the most interesting colour set-up in the leagues, with others pretty dull in comparison!

Below you can see the kit in all its glory, via the links, courtesy of Peter Savage's photography:

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/sn33610

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/sn33864

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/sn33514

Gucasoff switches to Obo elbow pad

Not exactly another groundbreaking (or not as the case may be!) equipment sighting, but it's noticable that Belgian goalkeeper Gucasoff has changed up his arm padding again, moving to the current Obo elbow pad design.

Gucasoff has gone from a "Dutch" approach (with no arm padding at all for maximum movement at the arms possible for those reflex glove saves etc.) playing for Brucelles, as seen here:

And played like this as he was involved in the international set-up in the build-up to the London Olympic games:

And then moved to an elbow pad on the right arm only, which he moved to in the latter point of last season, wearing a Mazon elbow pad (which seem quite popular in Belgium interestingly, though they're made by an Australian company!):

And is now wearing the Obo elbow pad, again, still just on the right, with the left unpadded for more freedom getting across uninhibited by padding, as seems to be the most popular kit style in Belgium:

The Obo pad gives more padding at the inner and outer elbow, with more padding at the elbow joint, giving more substantial protection, which is important, from protecting against shots to these areas, which could be disastrous for the goalkeeper in question.

Stockmann using Obo arm guards?

Having been able to find some better photos of Holland's current number one, Jaap Stockmann, in action, I think it's safe to say that he is also now wearing Obo arm pads. His compatriot, he was the travelling reserve for the London Olympics, Pirmin Blaak has worn them (on both arms versus the "traditional" no arms/only right padded) since he took over for Rotterdam as first choice there. Stockmann previously wore just an elbow pad on his right, but it appears he's made the switch to covering more of the bare arm to protect when making a barrier block with the body (sliding, "logging" etc.). Not sure how long ago this was, so probably not the most up-to-date gear sighting! But still interesting to make a note of considering the more general slimmed down equipment approach in Holland and Belgium and Spain as well.

Here you can see him warming up with both arms (like Scanlon at HWHC does, although he removes both arm pads for games!) before removing the left arm to play, whilst in the HIL league in India last year:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92093651@N07/8401620920/

And here, wearing both arms for a shoot at a goalie clinic, akin to Blaak's set-up:

http://oranjekeepers.nl/?attachment_id=428#main

Versus in his days wearing only a right elbow pad, it's interesting to make note of the switch and also in relation to the more pro-active, reaction, athletic style seen in Holland versus the blocking, percentage based approach of other countries, like Australia, potentially.

You can also see him here in his days playing for Holland U21's at the 2005 Junior World Cup, wearing Obo's prototype (their now current elbow design) at the time:

http://www.raboworldcupjunior.com/Fotos+dag+3+1.aspx.htm

 And here for Bloemendaal:

http://koensuyk.fotofiler.net/beeldbank/start/koensuyk/HOCKEY/Competitie%20heren/2012-2013%20Bl%27daal-OZ?view=preview&fuid=Jaap%20Stockmann%203.jpg

With Obo arm pads proving popular in Germany as well, with Reuss using them and other Bundesliga goalkeepers too, it's interesting to consider current trends in the modern game in terms of thinking about more/less padding for the goalkeeper. Germany seems to mix it up with a more blocking style, but Holland have always seemed to encourage active hands and a reactive mindset with their save making, so on a wider level, interesting to think about these things that might seem trifle, but have a big impact on the way a goalkeeper plays. Not sure if trends will swing back to a more protective style or a mash up hybrid of blocking and actively responding to shots, but interesting to consider either way!

Harte using Obo elbow pads

Another TK goalkeeper using Obo's elbow pads is David Harte. Not exactly news given how long he's been wearing them, but interesting to note that he has made the switch. Harte used to use ice hockey elbow pads during his time with Pembroke Wanderers in Ireland and then in his first season or so in the Hoofdklasse, but made the switch to the Obo foam, rather than hard shell, design. South Africa's Rassie Pieterse is another TK goalie using them and interesting just to see a number of goalkeepers who use different foam, wearing them.

Here's Harte in action with the Obo elbows:

Harte

And here you can see the ice hockey elbow pads Harte used to use: