Hi rebound right hand (second generation)

hey awesome people!

I wrote a previous article, regarding the Hi Rebound Right hand, and I wanted to share further developments with you guys! =)

Almost a year ago, I managed to get hold of the new mercian right hand glove… and I have to be honest! I really really liked it!

I liked it so much, it gave me some ideas on what I needed to do… to my already modified right hand!

I personally believe that a gk’ers stick is an extension of the arm and the technique/ philosophy, “should be used as if your catching a tennis ball with a straight arm”.

So I removed the whole back of the glove… so that the stick could be inline with my forearm.

put the inner foam back in its original spot and cut the same line!

Secure it with tape

Also I removed the wrist strap entirely and put in a thumb strap… similar to the Hi control glove… & tape through the stick gap to make the finger strap!

In the original models I put the thumb strap close to the front foam… and something that I have noticed when struck around the thumb area it bloody hurts!

so I added a slice of a left handed protector on top which gave better rebound and protection, but moving on from that, I simply relocated the thumb strap further back into the glove… preventing the thumb being compressed by the ball on the foam!

I personally think it has all the benefits of the hi control movement and keeping the stick at the same angle as the glove (especially on the deck) with the high rebound foam and surface-size! =)

The only 2 areas I’d like to improve on the glove is the bottom part – where the glove rounds off… If that could become flat so when diving bottom right or logging the glove doesn’t rotate making the save with the front foam and the flat side of the stick! second! thicker foam (similar to the LH) as its very thin in comparison!

Warning!!! there is very little protection on the back of the glove on mine! I have seen keepers with unusual movements been hit there so just be careful if you do these mods as protection will be less and keep the moments correct!

happy goalkeeping

xoxo

www.rachaellynch.com.au

Hi guys, I wanted to share with you all my new website that I’ve made. Similar to the OBO resources website, this site is for any goalkeeper who want tips and ideas that might help them to become a better goalkeeper. Check it out and tell me what you think. I have added 4 different skills sessions so far covering topics from stick and glove saves to warm up even juggling. I will also be blogging on there so you can all keep up with what the Hockeyroos are doing in the lead up to London 2012.

www.rachaellynch.com.au

Big thanks to OBO for the ongoing support

Champions trophy

Well, what can we say? Another year of champions trophy is now over for the women. It was a great competition and it is even better to see that now the top 8 teams is the world are so close.

Interestingly there are some new techniques that international goalkeepers are trying. These techniques are mainly to combat the drag flick, which is relatively new in the women’s game. There was a mix of goalkeepers diving more and a mix staying more on their feet, I think that both these techniques have advantages and disadvantages. I’d be interested to hear your views.

The final (Argentina v Holland) saw the new one-on-ones used versus the good old penalty shoot out. This is the first major tournament that this has been used. I think it was a crowd pleaser as there were lots of cheers.

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.

left hand apparal storage pocket

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

nick knack pocket

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

telescopic handle

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

end handles

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.

smelly stuff pocket

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.

pe inserts for shape

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 !

reinforced end

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