Things
to look for when buying new or used equipment:
Jock
- Full
time goalies need a goalie jock.
- Provides
pelvic protection and stronger cups.
- They
are sized according to waist sizes.
- They
are fairly expensive ($50
- $120) but worth every penny!
- Make
sure that everything fits and stays inside.
Goalie
Pants
- Goalie
pants protect the hips, pelvis, groin and added protection to the thighs.
- The
pants should not hinder movement or protection.
- Buying
the right pants depends on size of the leg pads.
- Should
reach to no lower than 3 inches above the knees.
- Approximate
cost $150 - $450
Chest
and Arm Armour
- Should
protect the front of the body.
- Watch
for gaps in protection around ribs, neck, belly and arms.
- Body
armour must come down to the top of goalie jock and to the top of the
wrists.
- Goalie
must be protected and be able to move fluidly.
- Goalie must be able to
see over the shoulders.
- Approximate
cost $150 - $700
Goalie
Skates
- Specialized
goalie skates are made to help with goaltender specific movement.
- The
protective covering should not have cracks.
- Size
like a regular skate.
- The
blades are wider and flatter than regular skates.
- If
purchasing used goalie skates make sure that there is at least ¾” of
blade left.
- Too
little blade will create slippage and frustration. If the plastic is
causing slippage it is time for new skate.
- $100
- $750.00
- Must be
tried on while wearing goalie jock, goalie pants and goalie skates for
proper fitting.
- Buy used
for the younger goalies. They
need to be protected but look is not important.
- Look for
missing or torn straps, tears, cuts and any wear along the seams
and body of the pad.
- The thigh
rise should be 3-5 inches above the knee.
- With skates
on and the straps properly done up the knee should be in the middle
of the knee channel.
- Sizing
pads requires knowing: A) skate size-simply the size of your
skate (that is why goalies always were their skates when buying pads)
B) Ankle to knee measurement (measure from the inside ankle bone
to the middle of the knee cap, along the shin bone, while in the basic
stance or sitting C) Thigh rise measurement- measure from the
middle of the knee cap to the desired height that the goalie would like
the pads to reach (up the thigh).
- Pads should
not hinder the movement of the goalie.
- Approximate
cost $250 - $2000
- The trapper
must be trained with the proper break. Different trappers will be made
to close one way.
- The
trapper should be easy to open and close. Make sure that the trapper
can open and close completely.
- Do not
buy a trapper that is too big.
The goalie will not be able to close the glove or move it fast
enough if it is too big.
- Check for
wear along the edges of all bindings. Make sure the thumb and pinky
loops are tied properly in place.
- Make sure
that the thumb, fingers, palm and inside wrist are well protected. Check
for broken plastic.
- Approximate
cost $50-$300
- The glove
must fit the hand.
- If fingers
are too long you will not be able to hold it still and holding the stick
properly will be problematic.
- Check to
see if the protective board inside is intact.
- Look for
holes in the palm of the glove and along the bottom seams of the blocker.
- Make sure
that the thumb, fingers and inner side of the wrist is well protected.
- Approximate
cost $50 - $300
Goalie
Mask or Cage Combo
- There should
be no pinching or pressure.
- The goaltender's
chin should sit in chin cup.
- Make sure
all padding is soft and pliable.
- If buying
used look for cracks, chips, stress fractures and other defects in the
plastic shell.
- Check for
sweat bands
- Atom and
novice goaltenders do not need a pro style/level helmet.
- Paint jobs
are optional not a necessity.
- Approximate
cost $100 - $2000
Neck
Guards
- Neck guards are required
for all players in minor hockey, including the goaltender.
- There are neck guards that
are made specifically for goaltenders that have padding protecting the
top of the sternum (bib style).
- Find a neck guard that
is protective and allows for easy, comfortable movement.
- Approximate cost $20 -
$75
Danglers/Cow
bells
- The protective plastic
or lexan that is attached to the helmet.
- The danglers must protect
the throat without getting caught behind the bottom of the chin. The
dangler should not get caught on the cage of the mask.
- The goaltender should be
able to see the puck through the dangler.
- The dangler can be an important
piece of equipment for a goaltender of any age.
- Approximate cost $45 -
$85
Sticks
- DO NOT
cut the shafts, this will make the stick heavier/out of balance.
- There are
different lies (angle of the blade compared to the paddle) and paddle
lengths (length from the mid-heel to the top of the paddle) to consider.
- Lie 13:
more upright, Lie 14: standard, if the stick does not state a
lie it is usually a 14, Lie 15: least upright
- Paddle
Length: 21 " - junior/beginner size, 24"- intermediate/short
adult goalie, 25"- Senior , low stance, 26" - tall goalie,
27"- tall goalie
- A paddle
too tall opens up the space between the blocker and body and may compromise
the goaltenders balanced stance by forcing the goaltender into a more
upright position.
- A paddle
too short will leave the ice exposed and may again compromise the goaltender's
balanced stance by forcing the goaltender to lean to far forward .
- Make sure
the goaltender's knob of the stick is not to big.
- Approximate
cost $30 - $225
HINT:
Beginning goalies do not need the newest brand of equipment
but they do need to be protected and able to move.
For information about testing Brian's goaltending equipment
at an MTN camp contact travis@mtngoaltending.com
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