OBO Online Expert

Legguard straps slipping loose

I’ve encountered a bit of an issue with my leg guards lately–the straps slip loose a little bit

qna
Question:

I am a field hockey goalie in the United States. I’ve encountered a bit of an issue with my leg guards lately–the straps slip loose a little bit, causing them to twist when I stack and dive (I have Robo kickers and leg guards). It got me thinking: what if you replaced the clips with buckles? It would eliminate that problem and also make them easier (though not as quick) to strap on. Would you ever consider making it an option to have leg guards made with buckles rather than clips?

The idea came from researching ice hockey pads. All pro goalies use a combo of leather straps with metal buckles. It is considered superior to nylon straps and plastic clips, and is durable enough for those guys to last at least a few seasons. Additionally, if they are resistant to the ice and snow, surely they would also weather a water pitch well.

Thanks,

Answer:

Pads shouldn’t twist as the straps shouldn’t loosen. OBO leg guards have a “creeper” buckle designed to prevent slipping. Sometimes the strap will loosen if the male end of the clip is facing the wrong way. The angled slot edge of the buckle should face down and towards the prongs of the buckle when the strap is properly threaded. Make sure the strap is pulled snug when you secure the clips and the leg guard is locked in place on the tongue of the kicker. The leg guard should be snug when the straps are properly tightened.

Metal buckles will damage foam when sliding, plus the buckles require the straps to have punched holes. Legs come in a variety of sizes and the holes that suit one keeper with leather straps may not fit another keeper, preventing a truly secure fit. Most ice hockey keepers wear their pads with the straps done loosely so they’ll rotate and maintain contact with the surface when they go down so a tight, custom fit isn’t an issue.

Cheers,

Jon

Skinny or fatboy?

I am buying a new goalie stick, I wondered what you thought was better out of the fatboy and skinny?

qna
Question:

I am buying a new goalie stick, I wondered what you thought was better out of the fatboy and skinny?

Answer:

Fatboy or Skinny is really a matter of preference. The primary difference is in the weighting/balance of the sticks. The Fatboy has a heavier head as the shaft is hollow. Keepers who are active using their stick to clear the ball like the weighting/balance because you can generate more power swinging the stick. The Skinny stick is solid and the weight is more evenly distributed through the length of the stick. The Skinny stick is more suited to keepers who push the ball if clearing with their stick if clearing. As the stick is solid as opposed to hollow, the Skinny tends to be a little more durable than the Fatboy, something to keep in mind if you’re hard on your stick and money is an issue.

Cheers

Jon

Wondering what the best set of OBO pants to buy is?

Is it the Robo Bored Shorts? Or the Robo Hot Pants?

qna
Question:

Hey dude
How’s it going?

Wondering what the best set of OBO pants to buy is?

Is it the Robo Bored Shorts? Or the Robo Hot Pants?
The website puts the bored shorts higher than the hot pant but I am asking the expert..

Cheers

Reg

Answer:

Hey Reg,

I wouldn’t say which pants are best, but I can tell you they both offer great protection. The Bored Shorts are a one piece pant with the protective padding built in. Unlike the old Smarty Pants, Bored Shorts are snug. They don’t require over pants, while the Hot Pants do. Personally, I prefer the Bored Shorts. Having said that, if you play on abrasive turfs and slide a lot I’d suggest wearing over pants with the Bored Shorts.

Cheers,

Jon

Can I paint my OBO helmet?

qna
The helmet you have has a clear coat of lacquer which will need to be stripped before you paint….

qna
Question:
Can I paint my OBO helmet?

Answer:
The helmet you have has a clear coat of lacquer which will need to be stripped before you paint. What type of paint you use will depend on how you are going to paint the helmet. For simple paint jobs you can use aerosol cans of spray paint. Depending on your artistic abilities and resources, you may use an airbrush. Whatever way you paint (paint brush, spray can, air brush), the quality of the finished product depends on your preparation. You will want to remove the cage and straps so you have clear access to work/paint the mask. I would recommend Brudtärna klänning using a paint stripper to remove the finish.

After you strip the lacquer, thoroughly wash and rinse the helmet and allow it to completely dry. If the helmet has residue or dirt, the paint won’t adhere. You will need to sandpaper the helmet to get the helmet smooth. Start with a rough sand paper and then you will want to use a fine wet/sandpaper to get a smooth finish. Then you will apply your paint. Once the paint is done, you’ll put the clear coat on. If you use a spray paint, look for an automotive paint and/or Clear Coat/Lacquer.

I just got done painting a helmet and to do it properly it will probably take a week depending on how detailed you want the paint job to be. The big thing is don’t rush and make sure you follow the instructions on the paints you use. If you use several colours, each colour will have to fully dry and cure for the paint to properly adhere to the mask surface. If it doesn’t fully cure, you’ll get big chips when a ball strikes the helmet. You will probably want to protect the paint with several (at least four or five) coats of clear coat. Good luck and let me know if you have more questions,

Cheers,

Jon

Can I paint my poly p helmet?

qna
Question:
I would like to know if I could paint my OBO Poly P helmet, and if so, what kind of paint is the most recommended?

Answer:
As the Poly P helmet is plastic, it’s a little bit easier to paint than some of the fiberglass masks. Most of the Poly helmets already have the color blended in the plastic so it’s simply a matter of painting over them and how detailed a paint job you’re looking to do. The preparation you do will determine the longevity and durability of your paint job. Basically you’re looking for paint that is labeled For Plastics (as opposed to metals) and you can find a wide range of colors in spray cans at most hardware stores. Make sure the helmet is clean, wash it with a mild detergent, rinse it well and let it dry. If you’re looking to go big, and paint the whole helmet I’d recommend putting a primer base down, especially if you’re putting a lighter color on a dark colored helmet. If you’re only painting sections of the helmet and leaving parts of the base color then you skip the primer. Make sure you let the primer and paint dry between coats. Paint has to cure and it won’t bond to a surface if you’re just piling coat upon coat of uncured paint. Clear coat is also a good idea as a top layer to add durability to the finish. A couple of warnings, obviously hockey masks are collision type items and plastic is a somewhat flexible material, paint will chip with contact. Be patient. The amount of time you spend in preparation and execution go along way towards determining the quality of your finished product. Depending on what you’re looking for as a paint scheme, plastic decals can offer a durable solution. There are graphic companies that make them for ice hockey goalie helmets and you can read about them if you Google “Goalie Helmet Decals.”

good luck,

Jon

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

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