Tube style rhp most popular with Kookaburras keepers

With the introduction of the larger profile rhp to be able to make saves with the right hand when blocking, it seems that this would be the might be becoming more popular for use widely and in general, with style incorporated, but not the case for Australia's goalkeepers. Come to think of it, the blocking profile rhp is most popular with the Dutch international goalkeepers who all use it; Stockmann, Blaak and der Ven, with Jenniskens as fourth choice, included. But for the Kookaburras, three out of four goalkeepers included in the squad right now, use the other type, the veteran of foam, useful for ground work and stick tackles. This is in an interesting contrast to the maintsay popularity of blocking rhp's that have become the prominent throughout goalkeeping ranges.

With Charter using one (versus Burgers making the switch to the new one style rhp now produced by Mazon) and Clemons and Lovells' (who uses the tube style Mazon rhp as well) new introduction to the squad as well, it sees three out of four of the Burras' goalkeepers using the tube style rhp, with Bazeley the only goalkeeper in the preliminary and training squad that is making use of the larger, blocking profile style rhp. As is, he is using the Obo Hi rebound rhp, having recently made the switch to Obo. Ex-U21's Hayward also made the switch soon after competing in the 2009 Junior World Cup and U21 international duty and then up to Australia A and continued action in the AHL. Clemons is still using the tube style, even though Gryphon have brought the Mercian style rhp design into their new foam range (as blogged about before!), as Mazon have also introduced into their own range (http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/hong-eun-seong-of-korea-is-challenged-by-tristan-clemons-of-news-photo/168227207).

It's just interesting to consider the prevalence of the tube style rhp in the Kookaburras squad, considering the shot blocking options when in the ready stance with a blocking style rhp, whether that be with TK's design, or Obo's, or the new Mercian derivative 'cross-continental style'. A lot of international squads see a mix of goalkeepers and equipment though, all things considered. Patrick Smith uses the tuble style Mercian rhp and Bailey the TK blocking design for example.

Cortes regaining form!

So after a tricky season for 'Quico' Cortes at Hoofdklasse side Den Bosch, it looks like the Spanish international is regaining the form that we have come to know and love! Whilst he showed glimmers of his true ability earlier on in the season, making some world class saves at times, he wasn't able to carry this through for the entire game and "shut it down", as you need to when playing at the most elite of levels (i.e. making the key saves when the time calls upon you to). The ability to control the game and make the saves as they happen, I guess, is what separates a goalkeeper that can shot stop to one that is at the top of their game.

But nonentheless, he is once again showing why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In this game against Laren, he makes some important saves and is off his line well to close down attacks and challenge, blocking well as he does so. The goals allowed seem harsh (to comment on!), in respect to being well executed, almost unstoppable drag flicks, although maybe the second he could have done better, critically, by staying up and more patient and then commiting. Regardless, it's good to see him playing well once again and hopefully this run of form and confidence will continue for him and help out his side with their season.

http://hoofdklassehockey.nl/nieuws/den-bosch-laren/

And... the votes are in!

Final bit of admin this time to clear up the backlog. And it comes down to the vote I put up for seeing what you, the readers, want out of this blog. And they're in (or at least, they were a while back, having being set to finish days ago!). It's a 50/50 split between goalie news and tips. So with the news bit established, it looks like I need to add more tips and discussion like the "scrambling" one which seemed popular! According to stats!

So, thanks for the votes. It was my first attempt at a vote embedded into the blog. I'd like to have some level of reader interaction and feedback from the blog, so thanks to those who did vote, because I have an indication however small, about what you want the blog to do and have on it, even if you can't please everyone!

I'm considering a quick "tip of the day" or week (!) feature to go with the news and overall coverage. A lot like those 'thought for the day"/s, it offers me the chance to reflect on simple but effective pointers that you may want to consider for your own game. A hard and fast, quick tip for the day (or however regularly I can think to add something!), that doesn't take up too much time but offers on the fundamentals and features of goalkeeping. For the more indepth articles, I'll be using my Obo column and other blog columns, unless people really want me to push myself (although worried I'll wear myself out!)!

As for other votes, I'm thinking of just offering the chance to vote for a favourite goalkeeper each month and so on. I've seen football goalie blogs with voting for similar. So I may just start including that as an option for you to "have your say" and gage things that way, if you will! So. So long. For now!