Elbow Guard Review

I have used the elbow pads on a couple of occasions and knew that they were very popular with the other guys. If I was last to get changed for training the elbow pads had already gone and were being used. The more I have worn them the more comfortable they have become.

I have used the elbow pads on a couple of occasions and knew that they were very popular with the other guys. If I was last to get changed for training the elbow pads had already gone and were being used. The more I have worn them the more comfortable they have become. Lightweight is a big bonus compared with other elbow pads on the market and the protection is impressive as the lads at Loughborogh seem to love hitting the ball at goal as hard as they can from 6 yards so they have been well field tested. I have the same problem as the other guys as the tongue on the left glove gets caught under the lower part on the elbow pad.

Ali McGregor

Top 15 Colours of OBO ROBO Legguards

Have you ever wondered what colour combination you should get your next legguards in? Check out the top OBO 15…

Have you ever wondered what colour combination you should get your next legguards in? Well here is a list that shows the top 15 OBO ROBO legguard colour combinations sold to date.

Did you know that OBO offers 45 colour combinations?!? Obviously not every retailer is able to stock all these colours, but you can special order any one of these colour combos through your local OBO retailer.

  1. Black/ Blue Wing
    black blue robo
  2. Grey/Black Wing
    grey black robo
  3. Black/Red Wing
    black red robo
  4. Black
    black
  5. Blue
    blue robo
  6. Orange/ Black Wing
    orange black robo
  7. Red
    red robo
  8. Pink/ Black Wing
    pink black robo
  9. Red/ Blue Wing
    red blue wing
  10. Yellow/ Black Wing
    yellow black robo
  11. Yellow/ Blue Wing
    yellow blue robo
  12. Pink/ Orange Wing
    pink orange
  13. Black/ Orange Wing
    black orange robo
  14. Orange/ Blue Wing
    oranage blue robo
  15. Blue/ Orange Wing
    blue orange robo

(All images are either from our Facebook or Flickr photo album – share your amazing photos with us here)

The Mental Aspects of Goalkeeping

A great resource download for all you amazing people on staying sharp between the ears!

Here is a great resource for all you amazing people….its written by Francesco Staps who’s tried to help all goalkeepers “stay sharp between the ears!”

Francesco’s 18 page PDF has been written in Dutch and also translated with some help from Keepers Resources writer Dan Pilgrim and Marjolein Kamstra.

This great resource even has its own website – www.mentalgoalies.com and some download links to the PDF’s are below…

Downloads

Great work Francesco!

ROBO SP Name Is No More

I have noticed on the net there are still a lot of references to ROBO SP; which no longer exists. (it was dropped in 2005)

Within the OBO ROBO range there are 2 kit options:

Hi-Rebound range pictured below in blue/black.

Hi-Control range pictured below in black/orange.

robo options

Hopefully its helpful so that everyone understands the naming and which kit is being referenced.

OBO Helmet Safety

The amount of energy in a hockey ball is huge… the concussion and face injury danger to goalies if not well equipped is real. Find out all about the OBO helmets, what speeds each helmet protects to and the lab tests OBO performs.

The best … for the best. Strength, design, comfort. No comprimises, no shortcuts.
A bit of a no brainer!
In 1999 we asked goal keepers where they get injured most? Their heads they told us. The idea of amazing people getting brain injuries sent us screaming to specialists in the Czech Republic and Argentina where they make the most effective and durable helmets in the world. We then worked with them to develop helmets especially suited to field hockey. Helmets with an official CE and safety approval, all models impact tested to official safety standards.
The F.I.H. says hockey helmets should be tested, but HOLA! Hold-up! They are not. Go ask our competitors for their test certificates. (Ours is EC type – examination certificate number E-30-01488-02, CE certified in accordance with directive 89/686/EEC, standard reference EN ISO 10256:2003 (replaces EN967:1997), technical body CEN/TC-158, Reference Mkp P004357). Yes, some of our competitors sell cheaper, untested helmets (not quite made of China, but made in China). We could do this too… we don’t because while Obo as a company is all for challenging the rules and  taking risks, we draw the line at doing it with our goal keepers brains! What do you think?

The amount of energy in a hockey ball is huge… the concussion and face injury danger to goalies if not well equipped is real.

OBO designs a range of goalie helmets designed for different levels of play and different ball speeds.

helmet-poly-p-black

The Poly P (Polypropylene) is designed to provide appropriate protection at balls speeds to 95 kph.

View the Poly P (Polypropylene) on the OBO site

helmet-pe-red

The PE (Polyethylene) is designed to provide appropriate protection at balls speeds to 120 kph.

View the PE (Polyethylene) helmet on the OBO site

FG-AND-CK

The FG (Fibreglass) or CK (Carbon Kevlar) will protect up to speeds of 160 kph.

View the FG (Fiberglass) and CK (Carbon Kevlar) on the OBO site

All the OBO helmets above are safety test approved (the Poly E designed for kids under 13 years and sold only in 3 countries is not a safety tested helmet, however our lab research shows they provide adequate protection for young players.) The amount of protection a helmet offers is a combination of the materials used in the main helmet body, the foam liners in the helmet, the cage, and several other design related / shape aspects.

Regardless of the ball speeds you face, if you want the highest possible protection we suggest you use the OBO FG (Fiberglass) or CK (Carbon Kevlar). Helmet bodies made using these materials offer the most protection, and longest life. The concussion protection offered by the OBO FG and CK is up to three times greater than some helmets on the market. Check out this video of the OBO FG in action:

Some helmet bodies in helmets sold by other brands break or even shatter.

helmet2
helmet1

Cages are an integral part of the level of protection a helmet provides. Our cages use the highest quality steels and bend less than others.

helmet3

helmet4

Find out more about OBO’s lab here

What do the F.I.H say about Helmets?

The F.I.H. says hockey helmets should be tested, but HOLA! Hold-up! They are not. Go ask our competitors for their test certificates. (Ours is EC type – examination certificate number E-30-01488-02, CE certified in accordance with directive 89/686/EEC, standard reference EN ISO 10256:2003 (replaces EN967:1997), technical body CEN/TC-158, Reference Mkp P004357). Yes, some of our competitors sell cheaper, untested helmets (not quite made of China, but made in China). We could do this too… we don’t because while Obo as a company is all for challenging the rules and taking risks, we draw the line at doing it with our goal keepers brains! What do you think?

Finally here is a really good video about helmets and concussions. Although its about Baseball the ball speeds and impacts are very similar to what a goalkeeper will face within hockey:

Tips On Using The OBO Training D’FLECTA Mat

dflecta

Product info
Balls will be hit at the D’FLECTA, which alter ball directions in both height and width. This simulates deflections and helps train reaction times and hand eye coordination of goalkeepers.

Tips on using the D’FLECTA mat

Fast ball speeds and striker deflections now play a big roll in scoring goals. The mat enables a coach, assistant or even parent to simulate deflected shots targeting high or low shots without needing to include the field players in the exercise. Its also a whole heap of fun for goalkeepers! If not being used the mat can be placed also be used within team drills to simulate defenders who can often deflect the ball.

Here is a video showing a few tips showing the correct technique for using the mat…

Tips On Using The OBO Training FLICKA Stick

flicka

Product info
This stick allows a coach, player or parent to flick the ball easily at the goalkeeper. The speed is controlled by the user and can be used softly for beginners using their hands and more power for advanced keepers simulating top level drag flicks.

Tips on using the FLICKA stick

Once mastered the OBO Training FLICKA  its really easy to simulating top level drag flicking balls speeds that are accurate and apply less stress to the body. The curve and colour of the stick have been designed to help disguise where the ball is going ensuring the goalkeeper is kept on their toes. The stick should be used softly for younger goalkeepers who are just learning to use their hands to save aerials or more advanced keepers for repetition training. Its also possible to throw some massive aerials for defenders to practice receiving aerials or just having some fun with mates on tour!

Here is a video showing a few tips showing the correct technique for using the stick…

Tips On Using The OBO Training BOBBLA Ball

bobbla ball

Product info
The BOBBLA ball will launch on December 1st 2009 and should be available from your local OBO stockist (keep an eye out for pricing details soon!). The balls will be available in bags by the dozen… they look like eggs get it! Sorry no more yolking around – for more info check out this post.

Tips on using the BOBBLA ball

The OBO Training BOBBLA ball is great for stripping down a goalkeepers kicking technique. It also encourages the fundamental of getting your body behind the ball and using forward body weight transfer.

High density foam technology means that goalkeepers can sometimes get lazy and simply swing their leg to kick the ball and rely on the bounce of the foam and not worry about their body weight distribution.  A goalkeeper with good goalkeeping technique will try to keep their head and chest over the ball to stop the ball rising up, and have a follow trough with forward momentum to get a good clearance.

The ball has been designed to stay low and sometime bobble/pop up occasionally replicating what may happen in a match situation. This allows a coach to simulate repetition training to build muscle memory and helps to keep reactions sharp for the unexpected bobbles.

Here is a video showing a few tips on using the ball…

How To Fix Foam

Here at OBO we want you to get as much use as you possibly can from your kit. We often get asked whats the best glue to use on foam…we used to advise contact adhesive, but we have just discovered a great glue made by Loctite for “hard to bond materials”. Its called Loctite Plastic Bonder and bonds to OBO foam like a bad boy!  The consmer pack contains an activator and glue and bonds to OBO foam superbly. You should be able to get this product from your local hardware store..here is a link to product on the Loctite website. If you cant find this the Loctite code is 770 primer and 406 glue.

Item_1943

A video showing how to repair your foam to get as much use as possible from your kit.