Outfield Hockey Sticks used by a Goalkeeper

 The Field Hockey Forum is the resource for players, coaches and umpires of Field Hockey. Join FHF now to have full access to all that we have to offer! Don't be satisfied with lurking when you can interact with thousands of other FHF’rs, take part in Competitions, win Prizes, download Coaching Papers, discover our vast Photo library and get rid of this message - Register Now!

[AndyGaut]

Contrastingly, an outfield stick is normally 36/37, which gives you extra reach on high and wide shots to your stick side; letting you reach out in extension of yourself to make the save.

Really? so a 37"/37.5"/38" GK stick couldn't do that at all?

At the end of the day its majorly down to perference and how you play, what kinda 'style' you use.

The GK stick is fit for purpose as its made to deflect shots of really fast speeds and you say vogels and co use outfield sticks there are still thousands of other keepers using the GK stick.

Going back to the comment about tackling with a outfield stick as opposed to a GK is to be brutally honest is a bad argument. Its technique to keep the stick flat throughout the tackle you don't need a different stick to do that I've seen great interception tackles with both so I'm sure you just have good technique to do it anyway.

I'm always very skeptical about using an indoor stick as a gk stick as they feel really light and I'm personally not confident with it.

I've tried all the different types of stick and the one that suits me is the GK stick, if you prefer the others thats cool especially if it keeps the ball out of the net right?

[Grim_D]

Andy: right on ALL accounts, was just typing out my thoughts at the time, so is a bit mumbled!

Really? so a 37"/37.5"/38" GK stick couldn't do that at all?

Forgot that you could get larger sized gk sticks; just that that's a standard length for an adult's outfield stick - misconstrued statement! 

outfield stick as opposed to a GK is to be brutally honest is a bad argument

I haven't really experimented with a gk stick, so could be making false allegations! My only fear is reverse stick sliding as the roll over seems more prominent ie harder to stay up, especially in indoor when more active in up-close tackles.

I know gk's who use the gk model and have watched the stick roll over - IMO I like to get the stick flat to make full connection. You're probably right about technique as well though.

Would definitely agree it's a style thing; I think it's the 'old school' of keepers and their coaches who advocate the outfield stick.

New school teaches that the more you get behind the save, better chance you have of stopping a goal - hence the adaption of the stick to provide more coverage when diving or reaching. Dutch style influence says you should get it with you hands - negative idea of 'blocking' the ball. Vogels is in his 30s, so is one of the 'old guard'!

Plus you're right about the ratios - outfield stick users are in the minority!!

Agree on the weight thing - gets a bit heavy in training facing excessive amount of shots!!
Personal thing, I'm used to it, stick with what works and all..

As for the indoor sticks, I'd also be worried about using one as I prefer to 'feel' the shot's impact, but am open to new ideas..

[RushMan]

Personally I like the "non-round" handle on my gk stick as it helps keep the stick aligned the way it should be in my hand.

[hot shot viks]

thats one of the things I didnt like on my gk stick!

I sometimes found that when I saved with a non round handle, that I wasnt quite holding it in the right way, and the ball hit my stick, and deflected into the net!

(could be down to poor technique on my part though!)

viks

[Grim_D]

Viks: do you mean something like this??:


- lambert making a save at the olympics; stick loose in hand, so flipped round-

Obviously opposite (as this is a gk stick), but same principle.

Personally I like the "non-round" handle on my gk stick

But do you think the gk stick head design gives you extra blocking space?? I've seen it used like a flat surface area when saving high - getting the technique to cover the ball more behind it, rather than actively pushing out with the stick to 'catch it'

[hot shot viks]

cant see the pic grim_d

but I imagine that is waht happens when the ball hits off my stick (although I am not sure if I have a loose grip or not!)

yeah, I like the head designs on gk sticks, but I have found them to be more head heavy or the balance points on gk stick to be too far down the sticks!

viks

[RushMan]

Personally I like the "non-round" handle on my gk stick

But do you think the gk stick head design gives you extra blocking space?? I've seen it used like a flat surface area when saving high - getting the technique to cover the ball more behind it, rather than actively pushing out with the stick to 'catch it'

Extra Blocking Space would not be a huge selling point in my book.  When saving high I would be aiming for the ball with the shaft of the stick.  If the head is too big then the stick can be unbalanced and harder to move quickly.

The "recurve" shape as pictured helps move the shaft of the stick closer to the ground when making a back stick save.  It also lifts the shaft higher off the ground of the fore stick side.  That is a selling point.

I sometimes found that when I saved with a non round handle, that I wasnt quite holding it in the right way, and the ball hit my stick, and deflected into the net!

(could be down to poor technique on my part though!)

Sounds like you weren't holding it the right. 

[Grim_D]

would be aiming for the ball with the shaft of the stick

Isn't that another supporting argument for using a standard (ie non gk) stick? Straight horizontal design helps you get the ball on the shaft, rather than being limited by the curve of a gk stick

[RushMan]

would be aiming for the ball with the shaft of the stick

Isn't that another supporting argument for using a standard (ie non gk) stick? Straight horizontal design helps you get the ball on the shaft, rather than being limited by the curve of a gk stick

Define Goalkeeping stick....

[Grim_D]

I suppose it is non-specfic  but gk stick as in the modern curved design like an obo fatboy

when making a back stick save

Do you mean a stick save on the reverse side, or the technique shown where the stick is tilted at an angle to provide rebound control?

[RushMan]

The design of the fatboy is good, although the stick weighs too much for my liking and it has a round handle. 

Reverse stick save - Using the stick in a slide tackle on your left side. 

[Grim_D]

Reverse stick save

Thought so!

Back to an earlier point,

lifts the shaft higher off the ground

, do you think this is a benefit in slide tackling or diving across with the stick - allowing you to cover more shots along the ground with the angle of the stick positioning?

[RushMan]

Reverse stick save

Thought so!

Back to an earlier point,

lifts the shaft higher off the ground

, do you think this is a benefit in slide tackling or diving across with the stick - allowing you to cover more shots along the ground with the angle of the stick positioning?

It is a benefit in both scenarios.

Assumptions - The centre of a hockey ball is about 35mm above the ground, a stick is 50mm wide.  The RH glove is 20mm think.

On the forestick save
Straight Stick - With the stick "parallel" to the ground, the ball would not be hitting the middle of the stick.  It would be making contact with the stick about 15mm from the top edge.

Recurve Stick - by bending the stick to the maximum of 20mm to eliminate the downwards angle due to the 20mm glove, the stick will be closer to parallel to the ground.  A ball travelling along the ground will hit the stick 15mm from the bottom edge.  Approx 40% more stopping area (more like 20% when you consider the angel to the ground of a straight stick/glove)

On the backstick lide save - head length of approx 110mm
Straight stick - The bottom edge of the stick is 60 off the ground and will only catch the top 10mm of a ball unless the stick is rotated foward.

Recurve Stick -  The bottom edge of the stick is only 40mm off the ground/5mm above the centre of the ball.  It is far less likely for a ball to pass under.

[Grim_D]

Thanks for the advice Rushman  - some good tips.

[Jonty]

Just dragging this one back up, if you use an outfield stick post here with the make/model.

Also if you know what other GKs are using (e.g. Vogels) pop that up too!