Shutout School

The infamous Right Hand Protector (RHP) from Tk. The glove some say OBO chose to model their new RHP on…..

It’s unconventional shape is what makes this glove so special and at the same time deter some keepers away from using it as it’s not ‘the standard shape’ of a RHP.

I believe it offers a lot more than the normal RHP. Its larger shape is of massive benefit to the goal keeper from reflex saves (allowing that added bit of foam not on the typical RHP to get that vital touch), overall shot stopping and in particular saving dragflicks.

When using it for saving shots it has fantastic rebound and so allows extra clearance from those hard struck shots while giving you great protection of the hand. When using this the angle at which you hold your stick must be altered slightly to allow for the unusual shape.

The main talking point is for when a goal keeper ‘logs’ ( I prefer the term becomes an ‘Active Barrier’) for a straight strike at penalty corners. When using this RHP to save a straight strike the glove places itself onto it’s side almost, allowing the stick to extend straight with NO interference and no angling of the stick. This is a big fear and concern for goal keepers who have not used it before.

Now to this RHP’s speciality: Using it to save Dragflicks. I have found this glove brilliant at corner time. Combining the large shape and great rebound but also having fantastic control to help the goal keeper direct the ball out of the danger zone. Also when diving to save flicks it gives me great confidence knowing its extra ‘surface area’ is there.

A lot of keepers world wide from the English keeper Nick Brothers (using Mercian pads) choosing this Tk RHP to many goal keepers in the Dutch Hoofdklasse who choose to use this RHP and Tk’s LHP over their sponsored companies hand protectors. This for me again backs up the quality of this glove.

However like all gloves there are some weak points if a ball is hit at a ferocious pace but nothing to cause too much worry or harm to the goal keeper.

Lets take a look back over the development of the RHP.

From the Cane gloves :

To the Padded Gauntlet:

Have your say….

What RHP do you have and tell us all about it, don’t be shy?