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Equipment = Confidence
Goaltending is a unique and challenging
position, the most important on the ice. Each goaltender has specific needs
because of the way they react or play different situations. In order to play at
the top of your game, you must have confidence in your equipment to perform and
protect. Equipment confidence is a state of mind, which greatly affects a
goaltender's movements. A goaltender without equipment confidence feels unsafe
and hesitates before making a move. Aside from selecting the right model of
equipment for the level of play, the fit of the equipment is paramount.
Purchasing equipment too large or too small will only limit the products ability
to perform and protect. Equipment that does not fit properly will never break in
properly.
Care & Maintenance
Once you have selected the proper fitting model
of equipment that enhances your style and is suitable to your level of play, you
should ensure proper care and maintenance. Drying your equipment after use
prevents mildew and excessive and premature wear. No product should be used if
damaged. Any cuts or tears should be repaired immediately. Old or worn equipment
should be replaced to ensure maximum performance and protection. Finally, do not
treat synthetic materials with silicone or other water repellents.
The following fitting guide
is to be used as a guideline only and may not reflect your personal preference.
If you are unsure about the sizing of the equipment you would like to purchase,
please call our professional staff of goaltenders for additional information at
1-888-945-4295.
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1. |
Goalie Leg Pad
Fitting Guide |
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The key factor with Goal Pad Sizing
is the overall length. The length is divided into three segments: (A)
The Boot, (B) Instep to the Knee, & (C) Knee to top or thigh rise.
The proper length of the goal pad boot is determined by the goalie skate
size. The next key area is the instep to knee that determines the shin
length. Finally, the knee to top or thigh rise is a personal measurement
depending on how much pant and pad overlap the goaltender prefers. A
general standard is 7" to 8".
Custom Pad Sizing
A. Skate Size: Provide the skate size for proper boot fit
B. Instep to
Knee: Measure from instep to the front center of kneecap while the leg
is in a slightly bent position
C. Thigh Rise: Measure from front
center of kneecap up the thigh to desired height
A + B + C = estimated size of leg pad
If fitted properly, the goalie's knee
should rest directly behind the center knee roll with the pad securely
attached to the goal skates and properly strapped on the goaltender's
leg. Generally, this will ensure that the pad breaks (bends) at the knee
/ shin and ankle as designed for optimal performance. Consumers are
advised to bring their skates and goal pants when going to purchase leg
pads. By bringing your skates this will provide for a true fit, as you
don't play the game in street shoes, while replicating the actual feel
of the pads. Therefore, there are no surprises when the goaltender goes
on the ice for the first time. |
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2. |
Goalie Glove
Fitting Guide |
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Although the trend
at all levels is to use oversized gloves, the goalie's fingers should
extend out to the end of the finger stalls of the inside palm to ensure
a proper fit. However, any more than 1/4" from the tip of the
goaltender's finger to the end of the finger stalls and the goaltender
will not have the proper amount of leverage necessary to close and
control the glove.
Aside from the lack
of control, the glove will also have a tendency to "break back" or fold,
which will make the glove difficult to use. The second key factor is
that the heel of your hand should line up with the heel and the cuff of the
glove. If not, the proper balance between the cuff and the catching
portion of the glove may be disturbed, making the glove too cumbersome
while sacrificing protection.
-Note:
'Full Right' Catch Glove = Glove goes on the right hand.
-Note:
'Regular' Catch Glove = Glove goes on the left hand. |
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3. |
Goalie Blocker
Fitting Guide |
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The blocker should be fitted based
on the hand size. The goalie's fingers should be no more than 1/4" from
the end of the fingers in the palm. If the fingers are too long, chances
are the hand tabs that secure to the blocker are too large. This will
cause the blocker to wobble, tilt or rotate on the goaltender's hand,
seriously affecting control while limiting coverage.
-Note:
'Full Right' Blocker = Blocker is on the left hand (also side goalie
stick is held).
-Note: 'Regular' Blocker = Blocker is on the right hand (also
side goalie stick is held). |
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4. |
Goalie Pant
Fitting Guide |
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When fitted properly, goal pants
should provide unrestricted movement and the crouch position, but should
not be so loose that they rotate excessively around the waist. Loosely
fitting pants provide superior net coverage in addition to making the
goalie look bigger. Goal pants should provide overlapping coverage with
the bottom of the chest protector and the tops of the goal pads. As a
guide, select goal pants 8" to 10" above your waist size for adults, and
6" to 8" above for junior goaltenders. You may want to
consider using suspenders if the belt isn't enough to keep the pants
from dropping.
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5. |
Goalie Chest & Arm Protector Fitting Guide |
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Please note that
Youth chest protectors are the smallest (ages 6 to 8). The following
measurements will be needed to properly fit a chest protector: Height,
Weight, Chest Measurement & Body Type (Slender, Average, Atheltic, Few
Extra Pounds). |
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6. |
Goalie Skates
Fitting Guide |
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Ice skate sizing is
not necessarily the same as if you were buying a dress shoe or a
sneaker. A men's 9 skate does not equal a men's 9 shoe. All skates are
sized in Canadian sizes; which are equal to 1 1/2 sizes larger in U.S.
shoe size (i.e. a men's U.S. shoe size of 9 is equal to a Canadian size
of 7.5). A lot of our customers a say "I could never fit into a 7.5
shoe!" This is true, however, a 7.5 skate is not a 7.5 shoe. Typically
your skate size will be 1 to 1.5 skate sizes down from your shoe size.
When you receive your skates, try them on and push your foot forward so
that your toes (while flat) barely glance the toe cap. Bend your knee
forward and look behind the heel of your foot down the skate. If you can
fit a finger behind the heel easily the skates are too big. A finger
should be wedged securely between the heel of your foot and the back
side of the skate. Another way to find your skate size (not width), is
to remove the footbed from the skates and stand on it with your knee
slightly bent. NOTE: Make sure not to sharpen your skates until you are
certain you have the correct size, sharpened skates cannot be returned. |
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7. |
Goalie Mask
Fitting Guide |
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Goalie Masks are sized according to
the circumference of the goaltenders head at the forehead. Use a
measuring tape to determine the correct circumference along with the
sizing guides listed with each mask to find the appropriate mask size.
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8. |
Goalie
Stick
Fitting Guide |
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There are
several factors that should play into selecting a goalie stick. The
goalie’s height and more importantly, personal preference, should be
considered in selecting the correct paddle length. Although there is no
direct correlation between the goalie’s height and paddle length,
goalies should usually start using a senior sized stick at about 5’5”.
Another difficulty that we face is that different manufacturers use
different methods to measure their sticks. For example, brands such as
Montreal measure up the middle of the paddle whereas Sher-Wood measures
up the outside edge. In order to provide a consistent measurement, we
use the same measurement system that Sher-Wood, Koho, CCM and RBK use.
For everyone's convenience, GoalieMonkey has provided a
standardized chart of goalie stick paddle lengths that should assist
you in selecting the proper stick. We have also provided a conversion
chart for Vaughn and Montreal sticks, as their sticks come labeled with
a measure that differs from our standardized measurement. Likewise, the
paddle lengths of Sher-Wood sticks are not included as they are noted
specifically on the item's description. |
