OBO Training Flicka Beta Test Review

The Flicka Stick

flicka

The hollow in the stick allows better control of the ball which enables the player/coach to control the speed and direction of the shot to a greater degree than is possible with the conventional hockey stick.

When I first started to use the flicker stick most of the shots veered to GK’s left (flickers right). Many players I asked to test the stick also seemed to have the same problem when starting off. This problem was easily corrected by releasing the ball sooner than what you would do with the conventional hockey stick.

I would advise anyone using the flicker stick to concentrate on control of the ball at slow speed before trying high speed flicks as I and a number of other players experienced some difficulty with accuracy when initially using the stick. Pay attention to the area behind the goals to ensure player/spectator safety.

Once you have mastered the technique you will be able to place the ball anywhere in the goal from any position in the circle and give the goalkeeper an excellent workout.

Goalkeepers facing drag flicks at penalty corners will benefit hugely as the pace of the ball is far greater with the flicker stick than with the conventional hockey stick. This makes for improved aerial saves, overall agility, hand eye co-ordination and reflexes.

Another point in favour of the stick is that the person using it does not have to use a large amount of energy to give the goalkeeper a good workout.

The hollow in the stick allows better control of the ball which enables the player/coach to control the speed and direction of the shot to a greater degree than is possible with the conventional hockey stick.

When I first started to use the flicker stick most of the shots veered to GK’s left (flickers right).  Many players I asked to test the stick also seemed to have the same problem when starting off.  This problem was easily corrected by releasing the ball sooner than what you would do with the conventional hockey stick.

I would advise anyone using the flicker stick to concentrate on control of the ball at slow speed before trying high speed flicks as I and a number of other players experienced some difficulty with accuracy when initially using the stick.  Pay attention to the area behind the goals to ensure player/spectator safety.

Once you have mastered the technique you will be able to place the ball anywhere in the goal from any position in the circle and give the goalkeeper an excellent workout.

Goalkeepers facing drag flicks at penalty corners will benefit hugely as the pace of the ball is far greater with the flicker stick than with the conventional hockey stick. This makes for improved aerial saves, overall agility, hand eye co-ordination and reflexes.

Another point in favour of the stick is that the person using it does not have to use a large amount of energy to give the goalkeeper a good workout.

Deflective mat

This all weather mat is made of a durable rubber compound which is designed to deflect the ball off fin-like protrusions in unpredictable directions and heights when placed in front of the goals.

The boomerang shaped mat remained secure on the turf regardless of the speed or amount of shots deflected off it.

This is a very portable and convenient piece of equipment and a great aid for goalkeepers.

Shots need to be hit flat on the surface of the turf in order to get optimum defections. Younger players had a problem making contact with the mat as they felt it was too short, this could be contributed to skills still being developed.  This problem can easily be rectified by using two mats next to each other.

Some senior players were hitting shots over the mat but this posed no problem to goalkeeper as the shots were still accurate, this also made for variations in the shot and goalkeepers had to watch the ball at all times and not focus on the mat.

The mat was also placed at various distances from the goalkeeper depending on ability/experience of individual.  Speed variations also affected the flight of ball when making contact with the mat. The mat was used in conjunction with other drills involving more players eg. One hitter from circle edge, players on either side of goal getting rebound shots.

After personal use I found that the mat performed as it was designed to do and improved my overall performance. The feedback from various other coaches and goalkeepers

who used the mat during training sessions confirmed this opinion.

This mat is designed to improve agility, deflective shot saves and reaction time of the goalkeeper.  It’s a great asset and should be considered as an essential piece of training equipmeThe Flicker Stick

The hollow in the stick allows better control of the ball which enables the player/coach to control the speed and direction of the shot to a greater degree than is possible with the conventional hockey stick.

When I first started to use the flicker stick most of the shots veered to GK’s left (flickers right). Many players I asked to test the stick also seemed to have the same problem when starting off. This problem was easily corrected by releasing the ball sooner than what you would do with the conventional hockey stick.

I would advise anyone using the flicker stick to concentrate on control of the ball at slow speed before trying high speed flicks as I and a number of other players experienced some difficulty with accuracy when initially using the stick. Pay attention to the area behind the goals to ensure player/spectator safety.

Once you have mastered the technique you will be able to place the ball anywhere in the goal from any position in the circle and give the goalkeeper an excellent workout.

Goalkeepers facing drag flicks at penalty corners will benefit hugely as the pace of the ball is far greater with the flicker stick than with the conventional hockey stick. This makes for improved aerial saves, overall agility, hand eye co-ordination and reflexes.

Another point in favour of the stick is that the person using it does not have to use a large amount of energy to give the goalkeeper a good workout.

Deflective mat

This all weather mat is made of a durable rubber compound which is designed to deflect the ball off fin-like protrusions in unpredictable directions and heights when placed in front of the goals.

The boomerang shaped mat remained secure on the turf regardless of the speed or amount of shots deflected off it.

This is a very portable and convenient piece of equipment and a great aid for goalkeepers.

Shots need to be hit flat on the surface of the turf in order to get optimum defections. Younger players had a problem making contact with the mat as they felt it was too short, this could be contributed to skills still being developed. This problem can easily be rectified by using two mats next to each other.

Some senior players were hitting shots over the mat but this posed no problem to goalkeeper as the shots were still accurate, this also made for variations in the shot and goalkeepers had to watch the ball at all times and not focus on the mat.

The mat was also placed at various distances from the goalkeeper depending on ability/experience of individual. Speed variations also affected the flight of ball when making contact with the mat. The mat was used in conjunction with other drills involving more players eg. One hitter from circle edge, players on either side of goal getting rebound shots.

After personal use I found that the mat performed as it was designed to do and improved my overall performance. The feedback from various other coaches and goalkeepers

who used the mat during training sessions confirmed this opinion.

This mat is designed to improve agility, deflective shot saves and reaction time of the goalkeeper. It’s a great asset and should be considered as an essential piece of training equipment.

nt.

OBO Training D’flecta Beta Testing Review

D’Flecta Mat

dflecta

This all weather mat is made of a durable rubber compound which is designed to deflect the ball off fin-like protrusions in unpredictable directions and heights when placed in front of the goals.

The boomerang shaped mat remained secure on the turf regardless of the speed or amount of shots deflected off it.

This is a very portable and convenient piece of equipment and a great aid for goalkeepers.

Shots need to be hit flat on the surface of the turf in order to get optimum defections. Younger players had a problem making contact with the mat as they felt it was too short, this could be contributed to skills still being developed. This problem can easily be rectified by using two mats next to each other.

Some senior players were hitting shots over the mat but this posed no problem to goalkeeper as the shots were still accurate, this also made for variations in the shot and goalkeepers had to watch the ball at all times and not focus on the mat.

The mat was also placed at various distances from the goalkeeper depending on ability/experience of individual. Speed variations also affected the flight of ball when making contact with the mat. The mat was used in conjunction with other drills involving more players eg. One hitter from circle edge, players on either side of goal getting rebound shots.

After personal use I found that the mat performed as it was designed to do and improved my overall performance. The feedback from various other coaches and goalkeepers who used the mat during training sessions confirmed this opinion.

This mat is designed to improve agility, deflective shot saves and reaction time of the goalkeeper. It’s a great asset and should be considered as an essential piece of training equipment.

This all weather mat is made of a durable rubber compound which is designed to deflect the ball off fin-like protrusions in unpredictable directions and heights when placed in front of the goals.

The boomerang shaped mat remained secure on the turf regardless of the speed or amount of shots deflected off it.

This is a very portable and convenient piece of equipment and a great aid for goalkeepers.

Shots need to be hit flat on the surface of the turf in order to get optimum defections. Younger players had a problem making contact with the mat as they felt it was too short, this could be contributed to skills still being developed.  This problem can easily be rectified by using two mats next to each other.

Some senior players were hitting shots over the mat but this posed no problem to goalkeeper as the shots were still accurate, this also made for variations in the shot and goalkeepers had to watch the ball at all times and not focus on the mat.

The mat was also placed at various distances from the goalkeeper depending on ability/experience of individual.  Speed variations also affected the flight of ball when making contact with the mat. The mat was used in conjunction with other drills involving more players eg. One hitter from circle edge, players on either side of goal getting rebound shots.

After personal use I found that the mat performed as it was designed to do and improved my overall performance. The feedback from various other coaches and goalkeepers

who used the mat during training sessions confirmed this opinion.

This mat is designed to improve agility, deflective shot saves and reaction time of the goalkeeper.  It’s a great asset and should be considered as an essential piece of training equipmThis all weather mat is made of a durable rubber compound which is designed to deflect the ball off fin-like protrusions in unpredictable directions and heights when placed in front of the goals.

The boomerang shaped mat remained secure on the turf regardless of the speed or amount of shots deflected off it.

This is a very portable and convenient piece of equipment and a great aid for goalkeepers.

Shots need to be hit flat on the surface of the turf in order to get optimum defections. Younger players had a problem making contact with the mat as they felt it was too short, this could be contributed to skills still being developed. This problem can easily be rectified by using two mats next to each other.

Some senior players were hitting shots over the mat but this posed no problem to goalkeeper as the shots were still accurate, this also made for variations in the shot and goalkeepers had to watch the ball at all times and not focus on the mat.

The mat was also placed at various distances from the goalkeeper depending on ability/experience of individual. Speed variations also affected the flight of ball when making contact with the mat. The mat was used in conjunction with other drills involving more players eg. One hitter from circle edge, players on either side of goal getting rebound shots.

After personal use I found that the mat performed as it was designed to do and improved my overall performance. The feedback from various other coaches and goalkeepers

who used the mat during training sessions confirmed this opinion.

This mat is designed to improve agility, deflective shot saves and reaction time of the goalkeeper. It’s a great asset and should be considered as an essential piece of training equipment.

ent.

OBO Training Names and Nicknames

Hello hockey fans,

We have been informed of a few nick names people have thought of for the training products such as the egg, bat wing and the shark fin which is cool we like them!

We thought we should explain the names we have chosen for the products are based on what the product does…

The Bobbla Ball…bobbles unpredictably although it does look like an egg.

bobbla ball

The D’flecta mat…deflects the ball in height and width although it does look like a shark fin or bat wing and to an Australian it maybe a boomerang?

dflecta

The Flicka… allows you to flick the ball easily although it does look like well nothing that I can think of…

flicka

If you have any ideas on a cool nicknames for products in this range please drop us a comment with your thoughts.

OBO Training Product Video

training-logo-web

We recently released some OBO Training Product Pictures. We had several requests to see the products in action so here is a product introduction showing the products being used…please let us know your thoughts via the comments.

The products will go on sale wordwide on December 1st 2009.

Keep an eye out for some beta test reviews and international coach drills soon…

Quick links to stay up to date with OBO News;

OBO Training Product Pictures

As many people are aware we have been busy working on a range of training products with a focus on helping goalkeepers to train more effectively and have more fun!

We are pleased to now reveal more details about the products and show you some photos of what the 3 products are shaping up like. We can confirm that the products will go on sale from the 1st December 2009.

The products will be supported by a special section on the OBO website including drills for each product designed by Martijn Drijver from the Netherlands, Jon O’haire from the USA and Graeme Mansell-Grace & Steven Bayer from England.

RANGE NAME:

PRODUCTS:

BOBBLA BALL

bobbla ball

Product info
The ball is designed to be hit or rolled along the floor at the goalkeeper. The egg shape makes the ball bounce and bobble randomly making routine saves much more complex. It encourages the fundamental of getting your body behind the ball. Also a useful tool for reaction training and outfield warm up and dribbling drills.

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.

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.

Please drop us a comment on your initial thoughts or any questions you have about the products.

Keep and eye out for beta test reviews and youtube videos showing the products in action… (you can subscribe to OBO’s youtube channel from here)