Equipment wise, it's also interesting to note that Dowse has switched from a mask to an old school helmet/cage combo style of head protection.
Cheaper as well as with a wider view for the goalkeeper with that extra advantage of greater peripheral vision being a difference maker (however slight) at the higher levels, this setup can provide a different approach to the game for various reasons. Still very popular in Holland, Germany and India, they are being used less and less in the English game at the top levels as trends change and styles evolve (at least definitely from the time they were introduced and the days of Ian Taylor!).
Whereas masks being based off ice hockey masks which have a more closed shape to aid in protecting the face, with the cage fixed on and screwed into the mask, the older approach has a wider vision, which can help compensate when dealing with broken plays and ones that need a more horizontal viewpoint, like pushing off the post to deal with a pass and shot towards the corner post.
With Canterbury's Stubbings having switched to a mask a few seasons back, and Allan Dick as well making the change in his headgear, there are notably fewer goalkeepers at the national league stage wearing this set-up. Jimi Lewis stuck with the setup to the end of his playing days, but Mason has actually stuck with his new ProMask mask since trying it out last season.
Tommy Alexander actually used to wear a mask in his early days at Reading before switching over at Surbiton and the Gym, whilst Bailey has always stuck with the helmet style as far as I know. With masks more readily available and popular it sticks out that young goalkeepers coming through the ranks are actively chooisng this style of headgear, with its greater peripheral vision at the small cost of protection around the face/ears. I'd like to think that this is down to a higher level knowledge base and a push towards wearing and using bespoke kit perfected to the user's needs and style (something Tommy talks a lot about, and is the genesis basis of his goalkeeping store's customer approach).
As far as I know, this sees the following list of goalkeepers in the national league with this set-up, notably young goalkeepers and those new to the league as well:
Cheaper as well as with a wider view for the goalkeeper with that extra advantage of greater peripheral vision being a difference maker (however slight) at the higher levels, this setup can provide a different approach to the game for various reasons. Still very popular in Holland, Germany and India, they are being used less and less in the English game at the top levels as trends change and styles evolve (at least definitely from the time they were introduced and the days of Ian Taylor!).
Whereas masks being based off ice hockey masks which have a more closed shape to aid in protecting the face, with the cage fixed on and screwed into the mask, the older approach has a wider vision, which can help compensate when dealing with broken plays and ones that need a more horizontal viewpoint, like pushing off the post to deal with a pass and shot towards the corner post.
With Canterbury's Stubbings having switched to a mask a few seasons back, and Allan Dick as well making the change in his headgear, there are notably fewer goalkeepers at the national league stage wearing this set-up. Jimi Lewis stuck with the setup to the end of his playing days, but Mason has actually stuck with his new ProMask mask since trying it out last season.
Tommy Alexander actually used to wear a mask in his early days at Reading before switching over at Surbiton and the Gym, whilst Bailey has always stuck with the helmet style as far as I know. With masks more readily available and popular it sticks out that young goalkeepers coming through the ranks are actively chooisng this style of headgear, with its greater peripheral vision at the small cost of protection around the face/ears. I'd like to think that this is down to a higher level knowledge base and a push towards wearing and using bespoke kit perfected to the user's needs and style (something Tommy talks a lot about, and is the genesis basis of his goalkeeping store's customer approach).
As far as I know, this sees the following list of goalkeepers in the national league with this set-up, notably young goalkeepers and those new to the league as well:
- Tommy Alexander (Prem)
- James Bailey (Prem)
- Chris Rhea (Prem) - interesting in that both Rea and Bailey wear the same without having influenced each other (Rea already using the setup!)
- Dowse
- Harleston's Livings (East conference)
- Loughborough's starter (North conference)
The masks usually are cheaper to purhcase and to maintain. it's easier to repair in parts opposed to replacing a whole helmet at once when damage is done.
ReplyDeleteand they offer wider vision, which I find really helpfull, It gives me the confidence that I know what's going on in my D, without the need to turn my head
Cheers,
Boyd (Spanish prem goalkeeper)
I agree with your point about peripheral vision, but top end hockey masks like Obo's or ice hockey masks shouldn't need repairing after being hit in games/training because of the strength of the mask (fibreglass/kevlar mould).
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