EQUIPMENT DISSECTION: CATCHING GLOVE

The trend up until about 2005 was “bigger is better” when it comes to equipment.

My new saying would be “bigger is better” with caveat…that it be handled and be used effectively.

When gear gets so big that it is cumbersome it’s not worth the size even if the rules permits the size.

I can’t tell readers how many kids who are still growing that have the biggest possible glove but can’t perform with it, can’t catch a baseball with it because it’s so big and has a pocket so deep that there is no feel when catching or stickhandling.

I, a full grown adult had a glove that was so big that It could be scaled back to be more comfortable.

The glove is a TPS that has the double pocket but it was so deep that it was a difficult catch when pucks were heading in.

The Response: I cut out about 1’’ – 1.5’’ of the top portion of the glove that connects the index finger to the thumb and then overlapped the 2 pocket-backs. I used shoe lace and used a drill to punch the holes.

I have used the glove twice and thus far I am very happy. I am not sure whether I used tough enough stringing material, but the construction itself is good and I feel much more comfortable catching the puck.

Feel free to show me equipment if you are looking to make alterations.

POST SURGERY PHOTOS ---

More Questions and comments --

QUESTION: All you did though was make the pocket shallower and smaller, right? How would that make it easier to catch, or does it just make it easier to control? Thanks -B

RLH ANSWER:

A few things -

First, it allowed the glove to fully close the fingers down to the thumb.

Second, before the pocket was soo deep when you actually caught the puck you would not actually feel the snap back right away because the puck would hit the pocket lower than your hand if that makes sense. I like it to feel more like the puck is between my thumb and index finger.

The oversized glove made for more area to block the puck, but made for much less control ctahcing and then holding the puck once it's in the pocket.