OBO

Question:

I recently got a set of cloud 9 kickers there brilliant just the front strap keeps coming up over my runners, how do you stop it happening?

Answer:

Make sure they’re pulled back as far as the kickers will go on your feet. This should pull the front toe strap back far enough that it doesn’t slip. If the problem continues, you can use a thin strip of duct tape to secure the front and back straps so that your foot won’t slip out. Here’s an excellent solution from Athol Hill if you’ve got shoes that will work:

“I noticed you made mention of using tape to tape the front and back straps together to keep them from falling off the boot. One method that I have used very successfully, and has removed a high portion of strap wear is to use a boot with a large number of little studs. (I think mine are Olympic, but there are a number in this design) I have now cut away the studs where the straps come across with the following results:1. Strap wear is greatly reduced as the remaining studs extend beyond the straps reducing their friction on the ground/astro. 2. Boots must be left inside the kicker when removing. It sounds difficult at first, but becomes easier as you are putting on the boot and the kicker at the same time. 3. There is NO way in hell, that the front strap will slide off. 4. You have far more grip on your toes when running as the studs extend far enough to keep the grip levels high. The final result manages to remove problems associated with the strap slipping problem. I previously broke a toe because of it, and decided to take action to prevent it happening again…ever…”

Question:

I’m a Goalkeeper that searches all the time for new skills. Can I turn my left hand in 90° when the ball comes? But only the hand, nothing more. I do this often when the players shot in the training, but I don’t make this in the tournament because the referee can say that was a penalty. So can I do that?

Answer:

As long as you are not “batting” the ball, you are allowed a certain amount of freedom in deflecting the ball to safety. You are right to try to do that by angling your wrist and hand. The thing most umpires are looking for to determine if you are “batting” the ball is movement from your forearm and elbow. If you are very concerned that you might be called for a stroke, ask the umpire before the match what he thinks. I’ve been surprised by how much umpires have allowed as far as the keeper deflecting the ball over the end line by angling his hand, but I’m also not going to complain.

Question:

My daughter is a 10th grade High School varsity goalie in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, USA. When she is on the left post, what is the best way quickly get to the right post to defend a quick shot across the front of the cage for a deflect shot on the right post. She is stronger to her left and needs a better technique to get to the right faster to cover these quick shots to the right post when she is set on the left post defending stick activity there.

Answer:

If the ball is moving quickly and the player on the other side of the goal is not going to have the time to stop and control the ball, then I need to get across quickly. Usually, I’m trying to take away an area, like the backboard as I go across and will dive to cover as much area as I can. If the ball is slow and the player on the other side has time to stop and control the ball before they shoot, I want to be upright and try to make a play of that ball while I’m on my feet. In either case, as the ball goes across the goal mouth, I don’t want to chase after the ball. I want to go to the goal post, covering as much of the goal as possible. Ultimately, the shooter wants to put the ball in the goal. It makes sense that I take the most direct path to where they want to go. Experiment. There is no set way to play this type of ball as long as you’re successful.

Question:

A have a few questions regarding goalkeeping. 1. Do you have any tips regarding what a goalkeeper should eat and drink before a hockey-game? (e.g. no sugar – lots of sugar.) 2. When I am playing an indoor game I have this little problem: When I have just made a save and standing still my heart is beating like hell and I get a bit dizzy. Are there any things to prevent this?

Answer:

I think each person is different in terms of pre-game meals. A lot depends on what your body is used to and what time you’re playing. For myself, I don’t like to eat less than two hours before a match. I try to avoid eating fried or fatty foods as they are hard to digest quickly. I think the biggest guideline for eating anything before a game or training session is moderation. If you want sugar before a game, fruit is a good source and is easy to digest.

More important than what you eat, is what you drink. I think more keepers suffer from what they do or don’t drink before games. Beverages like coffee, soda and alcohol are all diuretics. They dehydrate your body. If you have any of these before a match, make sure you also take in plenty of water.

If you are dizzy and light headed during a match, what you are or are not drinking or eating can have a big effect. Try adjusting what you do as a pre-game meal. If you continue to have problems, I’d recommend seeing a doctor.

Question:

I’m using white OBO pads. This is the second year of use. Both kickers are coming apart at the seems near the top. It’s hard to explain, but do you have any suggestions on how to repair the foam. This is affecting how secure the boot stays on.

Answer:

There is something called SPORT GOO, put out by the same people who make SHOE GOO. I’ve had good success using it to repair foam equipment. If the kickers have split, put it between the layers of foam and then bead it along the seam. Give them a good day to set before you try to use them again.

Question:

As a young keeper (15), even at county level the training for keepers consists of lining up players who then fire off a volley of shots from the top-D and little else. I have not got the means to pay for a professional coach and while yours and other websites offer a great deal of help in terms of exercises there are few players (or coaches) who will put aside the time to go through dedicated goalie sessions. Living in Heartfordshire (England) are there any course training sessions etc. that I could attend to help me advance my keeping? Are there people in my area that I should contact? I have been pointed towards John Hurst as the local man in the know.

Answer:

John Hurst is definitely the man in your area to speak to about keeping courses. It’s good that you check the net and other resources for keeping ideas. On the OBO website look back at old tips, especially Rachel’s. There are some good ideas there. The big thing I would encourage you to do, is to make a skills inventory of your strengths and weaknesses and try to work drills around them. If you think about drills field players do, many of them can be converted to keeper drills.

Question:

Which kind of tape can be best used to protect your kickers and hand protectors from wearing to fast?

Answer:

You shouldn’t have to use tape on your kickers if you’re using OBO kickers. They are very durable. Having said that, if you are very hard on your pads and are playing on a surface like a sand-filled pitch duct tape is very good. Duct tape is plastic coated cloth adhesive tape and is available in most hardware stores.

Question:

I am a college goalkeeper and I did read your tips concerning 2 v 1 situations but I had a further question. When the situation is 2 v 1 (the 1 being the goalkeeper, no other defenders) in the circle, how then do you suggest to play the ball? I know that a lot of goalkeeping is situational and experimenting is necessary but again I am looking for some guidelines as to what you would suggest. I have grown up with one method and a new one is being introduced and I am trying to decide which is more sound and effective.

Answer:

I have a pretty extensive tip on slide tackling on the site so hopefully that might provide some insights. However, in a 2v1 situation where you are the 1 I think it is important to be aggressive. However, it is very much controlled aggression. Too many keepers just stand on the goal line and let the shooter walk right in. I like to step up, but at a time where I am defending the goal and making the forward pull wide at the same time. I also need to be aware of where the support player is in the 2v1. I want to stay in the play as long as possible and make the forwards make the perfect pass if they are going to beat. In a well executed 2v1 you should get beat, but if you can buy time and force forwards to make passes they don’t want to make that buys you time and gives you a chance.

Question:

I was just wondering if you can run out of the circle and kick the ball – as I got penalised for it last time and a penalty corner was awarded. Another thing, can a keeper be penalised for using the wrong side of his stick??? Lastly, can you give me any tips on penalty flicks please.

Answer:

You do have to be careful about playing the ball out of the circle with anything but your stick. The penalty for kicking the ball out of the circle is a corner and could also be a card, either green or yellow depending on the umpire and the effect of the foul.

If you play the ball with the wrong side of your stick it is a foul. If the foul prevents a goal, the call is usually a stroke.

As far as strokes go, The biggest thing I would tell you is to give yourself a chance to save the ball. Too many keepers get freaked out on strokes and forget that it’s basically a flick from 7 yards. Make the shooter beat you. Unless you’ve seen the stroker before, know that he’s got a great stroke and know where he goes, react. A good stroke should go in. The biggest thing for a keeper to avoid is allowing bad strokes to go in. Bad strokes usually go in when you guess.

Question:

I am in my first year of goalkeeping – playing for my club and English County (Under 14s)

I played on Sunday and had a great deal of trouble from a low afternoon sun – and lost sight of the ball on one or two occasions. I wear glasses normally – but contact lenses for sport. How can I deal with the dazzle?

I did let in one or two (or three/perhaps four) goals too many – it wasn’t my best performance – how do you cope with the bad days? I’ve had plenty of good days – feeling good about my performance and my teams’, this is the first time the game went from bad to worse.

Answer:

Depending on the kind of helmet and cage you wear, there are a couple of things to try. First off, sunglasses if you can fit them under your helmet. Second, there is something called eye black that American footballers apply under their eyes that cuts glare. When the low sun is really bad, you might try white adhesive tape applied to the top part of your cage. Not so that it covers your eyes, but so it shields them. You should also get used to using your stick or glove to shield from the glare when you can.

As far as bad days, know that they can happen. The biggest thing I try to do is go back out and work with a plan to make sure they don’t happen. That starts with a journal. Keep track of goals, saves and different game situations. Assess what happened, what you did and what you might do differently. In the course of a game, I try not to think about what happened, particularly if it was a mistake. The last thing my team-mates need to see is me reacting to something I can’t do anything about. I need to keep playing and I need to keep my team-mates playing with me. Get back on the horse!