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The outstanding upstanding new OBO wheelie bag for 2011

Over the next couple of months you should start seeing a completely new range of bags appearing at your local OBO stockist. New designs… new colors … same quality materials and construction. We have made heaps of changes to the wheelie bag though … have a squiz at these photos …

Look Mum … no hands – I can stand all on my own ! From now on your bag will not occupy half the changing room or dug out. Pack and unpack in the “lying down” position but then just park it up.

Roomy End apparel storage pocket so that you can keep articles dry and separate from the gear in the main compartment of the bag.

A handy nick knack pocket for smaller items that you need ready access to.

Telescopic handle recessed in a zipped compartment so it won’t get busted in transit.

Two comfy padded “end handles” on the top of the bag are back so that the wheelie can be easily loaded into the boot of a car.

A smelly stuff pocket in the main compartment of the bag for smaller smelly items you need to keep separate and in an easily accessible place.

Plastic inserts for both sides of the bag providing shape for the bag and protection. Total size is a little bigger than the old model …its now weally weally big !

A sturdy base for strength and protection from all the mess and dirt created by your team mates.

Carry bags are also available in the new colour scheme.

Let us know what you think about the changes in the comments below.

Rachael Lynch: champions trophy practice games 2 & 3

Morning everyone

We have played 2 games since I last wrote, one against Germany which we lost 3 nil and then yesterday we played Korea and won 2-1. The game against Germany was my first game and was certainly a game of two halves. The first half was the best we have played so far which was really pleasing but in the second half things didn’t go so well. They scored a field goal and were given two strokes. As always Adam took it as a real positive and we were able to take heaps of lessons out of the game. I guess this is why you play games before a major tournament. Yesterdays game against Korea was great. A much improved performance, so everyone is now feeling good about champions.

Today we fly to Holland with all the other teams and will hopefully have a bit of free time when we get there to check out our location. I have stayed at this hotel before but it was on my debut tournament so my memory of it is a little blurred. We still have two more practice games before the tournament so plenty more to work on but looking forward to getting stuck into it.

You may be pleased to know that we haven’t escaped the rain over here that facebook tells me everyone is experiencing back home. We were able to test out our new water proof jackets yesterday and luckily enough they came through with the goods. Ok better go pack. Chat soon

Sorry no photos this time

Rach

Rachael Lynch: champions trophy practice game 1

Hello from Germany

First day of games over and all teams are sitting even on 1 draw with 3 goals for and 3 against. We played the Argies yesterday and drew 3-3. It was a reasonable game and a pretty good start to the tour for us. The Argies were at full strength with the number one player in the world back after some time off and at one point we were beating them 3-1 so cant complain. One of our girls who was playing her first game scored a ripper goal after the goalie deliberately let it go in thinking it was outside the circle. Funnily enough though it wasn’t even close. Brain explosion I guess and a gks worst nightmare. I sat out yesterday and so had to watch the game through the video camera. Not nice. I was going cross eyed by the end. I did miss one of our goals so hopefully that will secure me a spot on the field next game and never filming again 😛

The other game, Ger v Korea was also a 3-3 draw which was pretty exciting. Goals are always great. The Koreans are playing one short now as in a practice match the other day an Argie smacked one of the girls in the jaw with her stick. Accident of course. She had multiple fractures and had to have surgery. ouch!!

Today is a rest day so not much happening but I have included a few photos for you to have a look at. Including one very unattractive one of Cronky and I where I look like a Gigantor! We got a new uniform before we left and our lovely sponsor decided to give us both small goalie smocks. We are both now at risk of dislocating our shoulders every time we put them on. Eeek! The other photos are just muck around ones. More to come.

Next game is against Germany so ill be in touch after that

Rach

What’s the difference between hi rebound and hi control?

qna
Question:

I am planning on ordering new kickers (I’m currently using the obo robo high control), and was wondering the difference between the high rebound and high control.

Answer:

As the name suggests the High Rebound offer a more significant rebound effect to the kicker. The foam compresses and expands resulting in high paced clears with a minimum amount of impact. Typically keepers who play with the High Rebound kickers use more of a deflecting than kicking style in playing the ball. The only down-side is that because of the compression, once the kickers lose their elasticity you lose rebound and will feel the ball more than you might with the High Control kickers. It all depends on your game. Personally I tend to kick rather than deflect when I save/clear and prefer the High Controls.

good luck,

Jon

Technique in delaying/blocking breakaway player

qna
Question:

What is the best method of countering an attacker who intercepted in mid field and is heading straight for the centre of the D?

Answer:

I’m assuming you’re talking about counter attack breakaways from your question. A lot of this comes down to decision making and the skills associated with playing big slide tackling and I’ve included links to two earlier tips I did on them on the Keeper Resources page and included a pertinent section below:

http://blog.obo.co.nz/1999/10/20/slide-tackling/

A forward with the ball alone at the 25 can be a pretty intimidating site for a keeper. By the same token, a keeper poised and ready at the top of the circle can be equally intimidating. This takes us back to our plan. Before a forward can score, he’s got to get into the circle. As a keeper, that gives me a boundary that if successfully defended, never allows a shot to happen. As the forward enters the circle, elements that give him the advantage are time, vision, control of the ball and speed. Those elements can also work against him. It’s hard for a forward to have vision and control of the ball. When he’s got vision, typically that’s when the ball is off his stick. When he’s got speed, the ball is either on his stick and his head is down, or the ball’s off his stick. Those are the times when a keeper can win the situation.

http://blog.obo.co.nz/2004/01/13/decision-making-and-team-defense/

To add on, a keeper can win a one v one situation without making a save. Winning comes from making a save, delaying the forward until a defender can get back into the play or forcing an opponent to shoot wide. A lot of what will work for you will depend on the strengths of your game.

Personally, if faced with an opponent on a breakaway I want to take the initiative and start by contesting entry into the circle. I want to bait the forward to come into the circle where I can use all my goalkeeper privileges (full body to make save) and tackle or channel. If I’m already at the top of the circle a forward can play the ball around me outside of the circle and out run most keepers to walk the ball in. If I’m three to four yards from the top I can step up to engage as the forward enters the circle and use my whole body. I don’t want to come out just for the sake of coming out.

Tackling and channeling require good footwork to stay in the play. I don’t want to commit to slide tackling until I’m confident of making the tackle or I can no longer stay in the play. If I have a chance to take a forward to a side, I prefer to take them to my right where I can get more length by playing on my front stick, but having said that if there’s a side that will give my defender a better chance to recover I want to take the opponent there.

In taking on a forward, I want him to have to think about me and not a clear shot. If I can slow him down, if I can get his head down, these are all good things. I don’t want to be charging out for the sake of charging out and that’s where engaging distance and balance are key. I don’t want to get wrong-footed. I want to try to keep my shoulder between my feet as I take on. If my shoulders get outside my feet, my weight is committed in that direction and I’m screwed. Similarly, I want my steps to be short and quick so I’m able to keep my weight on both feet to stay with the play. If I take, big long steps I cover ground but a good forward will go at the foot you have your weight on since you can’t move it. I like to play with my hands down around my knees if I’m taking on. This keeps my center of gravity low and makes it easier to get down when I have to.

Trial and error are really the best way to figure out the “best way” for you to play situations. The nice thing about the internet is you can learn from other keepers trials. The EHL ( http://www.ehlhockey.tv/#/home/NjQxNA==) uses shootouts in their tie-breakers and are great for seeing different 1vkeeper strategies.

good luck,

Jon

What glue to use

qna
Question:

My obo robo kickers are coming apart, could you please tell me what glue to use? The Velcro attaching the forehead cushion pad to to the inside of my helmet, what glue is best for this? Finally, the wrist protector on my left robo glove has come detached from the inside of the glove, what glue is best to stick the Velcro section back on?

Answer:

It sounds like you’re coming apart. Sorry about that, it happens. I’m attaching a link to a tip I did a while ago for repairing splits to kickers:

http://blog.obo.co.nz/2006/11/09/fixing-split-kickers-and-legguards/

Kickers will split with time and use and once they split, glue can only do so much. I’ve had success using Shoe Goo. In addition, zip ties will reinforce any glue bond, especially in kickers where there is alot of stress to the bond.

I’ve had a lot of success using something called Gorilla Glue to fasten velcro to foam. Make sure to follow the directions on the Glue for best results. Surfaces to be glued need to be clean and dry and Gorilla Glue requires pressure so you’ll need a clamp. As a note, don’t overdo it with Gorilla Glue as the glue expands with the bonding process. A little goes a long way.

good luck,

Jon

Contact

qna
Question:

Is the keeper allowed to kick the ball off an opposing player’s stick (kicker-stick contact)? Is the keeper allowed to hit the ball off another player’s stick with his/her goalie stick?

Answer:

Any contact by a keeper, whether kicker or stick must be to the ball first. If after contacting the ball, the keeper’s kicker or stick contacts the opposing player’s stick then the play should be legal. However, if the umpire deems that the keeper contacted the opponent’s stick first and then got ball the penalty is either a corner or possibly a stroke. Unfortunately, umpires often make this call based on sound (especially with stick tackles) as they are usually positioned on the endline behind the keeper in an attempt to stay ahead of the play. This can leave the umpire with an obstructed view of the play. If you’ve made a tackle where you feel you’ve got ball first and the call has gone against you, the best you can do is ask the umpire to ask for help from their partner.

good luck,

Jon

Updated facts & features for 2011

We’ve updated our facts & features for 2011. You can download the updated versions in PDF format using the links below…

	110 Robo HI REBOUND Legguards
	120 Robo HI REBOUND Kickers
	130 Robo HI REBOUND Right Hand Protector
	150 Robo Hotpants
	170 Robo Body Armour
	210 Robo HI CONTROL Legguards
	220 Robo HI CONTROL Kickers
	230 Robo HI CONTROL Right Hand Protector
	310 Cloud Legguards
	320 Cloud Kickers
	350 Cloud Hotpants
	370 Cloud Body Armour
	410 Yahoo Legguards
	420 Yahoo Kickers
	470 Yahoo Body Armour
	510 OGO Legguards
	520 OGO Kickers

Does kit colour make a difference?

qna
Question:

Does the colour of a goalie’s kit make a difference to the opposition. i.e. does the striker get distracted by bright colours?

Answer:

The studies I’m aware of in regards to colour have been done with football and ice hockey. There are two different schools of thought, one is to blend in and the second is to distract. Blue and green are good blending colours. On the distracting front, red, orange and yellow are good distracting colours. I recently heard mention of a study done by a Canadian university that was done with ice hockey goalkeepers. The study centered on many keepers wearing white equipment to blend in with the white ice. They also did a study as to what colour made pads (all the same size, just different colours) appear to be the “biggest” and yellow coloured equipment was deemed to be the “biggest.” You can make a case for blending in or distracting. If a striker is distracted by your colours they’re not focusing on the goal. If you’re blending in, the striker may not see you. At the end of the day it’s not so much about what the striker sees, but what colours make you feel strongest in goal.

good luck,

Jon

OBO joins FHF

For the next 12 months OBO will appear as a sponsor of FHF (fieldhockeyforum.com). Look out for the OBO logo in the top right hand corner of the forum…

In particular we will sponsor the ‘Goalie Zone’…

FHF made the announcement on their fifth birthday. OBO had this to say on the happy event 😉 …

Happy Birthday to FHF! For 5 years FHF has provided an invaluable medium for passionate hockey players to exchange information and ideas, improve their game, and generally chew the fat with like minded people. Congratulations !

OBO is really happy to have the opportunity to support FHF, and particularly the goalie section. Because there are so few of them, goal keepers have fewer opportunities to communicate with other goal keepers than field players do. They play a very technical game, both from the role and the equipment perspective so being able to seek and share information with other goalies on FHF is invaluable. Goalies are amazing people … FHF is an amazing place for them to meet!