problems with my switch to roller

[blackman34]

Ok, so I've played roller 3 times now and there is definitely an adjustment from ice. Besides from being grossly out of shape (taking 2 years off does that), I'm having trouble with a few small things I'm hoping you can help me with.

1) my knees are killing me! I'm still in the habit of pushing off and dragging the back foot back into position. With the wheels dragging on the court, it makes me REALLY sore the next day. What do you guys recommend for movement? stutter step? T-push? I think when I get my new goalie skates with harder wheels it might help a little, but as for now, man, it hurts!

2) rebounds. I have no idea how to control the rebounds because the puck lands on edge and rolls in a circle, sometimes right into the goal. not cool!

3) sliding. I just don't slide, plain and simple. I'm going to look into pad covers, but as for now, I just drop with a heavy thud. This is also adding to the knee pain.

I took a few stingers in the forerm, one of which has left me with slight numbness in my thumb for the last 3 days (getting feeling back little by little). I have to say, these shots are fast! They're not nearly as "heavy" as an ice puck but they can certainly whiz by you and cause a few bruises. I'm looking into ordering a new C/A from Paul soon. My old one is just too beat up and doesn't cut it anymore.

There are definitely a few other issues (heat, hydration, playing the puck, positioning) that take some adjustment as well but I think I can figure a lot on my own. Otherwise, you'll be hearing from me soon! I've got 2 games today (yikes!) so I'll be swinging by the mall to pick up some underarmour gear. Otherwise I'll just be a big ol' puddle when I'm done.

[dreadlockgoalie]

1) T-push is your friend. It's probably the easiest way to get back and forth across the crease, especially if you're not in a hurry. However, I actually find that I roll back and forward on a diagonal between points in front of my crease now to get myself somewhere quickly on my feet. In close, or on short sideways movements, you'll want to shuffle. Whatever the case, you really don't want to drag your wheels. Harder wheels are a mixed blessing, since you lose a lot of grip.

2) Yeah, my rebound control sucks too. Can't help you much there except to say that doing your best to direct the puck away from the net and to the corners might be a good idea. The puck will always be unpredictable until someone designs a new one. I had one roll up my pad, chest and over my shoulder into my net. In the final playoff game.

3) I don't know what surface you play on, but on Sportcourt, sliding isn't that hard but nothing like ice. You have to put an extra little hop into it though. Pad covers will help.

It takes some adjustment, but I found after a month or two, you stop thinking about it and it comes naturally.

[blackman34]

Just a little follow-up here. So far I think I'm adjusting pretty well. I can't wait until my goalie skates get here- I think being lower and having harder wheels will make a big difference.

I've learned to stutter step and that has made a tremendous difference. I still have to think about it when I do it- otherwise I try to shuffle like on ice and I wind up on my butt. This also has A LOT to do with the knee pain.

I have no idea how to slide. At all. I just drop and stick. I'm ordering knee knee pillows from Paul because the damage being done is quite painful.

I find that if I stick to playing the angles, I'll do ok. The positioning is still the same as well as the overall pace of the game. The heat is killer but I'm learning how to deal with it.

So far I'm 2-1-1, which is a lot better than I thought I'd be! I'm playing with some pretty good competition- better than the level I thought I'd be able to handle at this time.

Underarmour shirts have been a huge help. I'm looking for the pants but I can't find them around here. I drink a ton of water during the games, and since we always play 2 games on Sunday, I mix in a can of Red Bull during my first game to help me through. I feel it helps a good bit. Just have to be sure to stay hydrated since it speeds the metabolism a bit!

[ch1co]

1) Great advice by Dreadlockgoalie. On shuffling, make sure you take small steps and are always in a proper stance with your stick blade down to minimize five-hole opportunities. That's harder than it sounds in roller, at least for me, because I tend to want to use my arms in an attempt to add speed to the lateral movement. (I just flew in from the left post, and are my arms tired!) When I do it right, five-hole shots during a shuffle will hit my blade or paddle. Also don't forget shuffling arcoss on your knees when in the butterfly, so all the more reason to beef up protection in that area. I use volleyball pads as a backup for those rare times when my knees slip off or miss my landing gear.

One last thing, which is nearly impossible for me, is quickly moving laterally and backwards at the same time. I'm going to assume you're playing in a no-offsides league, which makes it easy for forwards to hang in your zone for a quick breakout or as the receiver of a backdoor pass. I always let my defense know they have to watch the backdoor so I can take an aggressive angle on the shooter. I'm not saying to ignore the man at the backdoor, but I don't like to cheat back because I've gotten burned too often by snipers when I do that. Instead, I take a peek to see if my defense has followed my instructions and if not I try to read and break up the pass before it gets to the recipient.

2) Lotsa luck. Post back if you solve this one! Seriously, I try to catch as much as I can. I also piss off a lot of guys at open hockey because I pounce on every loose puck that comes near me (they want to keep the flow of the session going.) Also, in warmups, I always track the rebound after I make the stop rather than just turn to the next shooter. I find if I get lazy in these situations it bleeds into my game and winds up costing me. But overall, I also give up more rebounds than I'd like.

3) I've also heard that applying stick-on velcro hooks to the inside edges of your pads will help with sliding. I tried it and the velcro kept peeling off, but lots of members here have reported success with this method. I now use Mission Motion pads with the plastic triangles and they work well, but I play roller exclusively and I hear they aren't too good on ice.

On hydration, make sure you also drink lots of water before your game. That makes a lot of difference for me. Also, during the summertime I bring a bottle of water for the top of my net and a bottle of half-gatorade, half-water for the bench, which I drink between periods and between games if I'm playing more than one.

Good luck!

[soulpatch]

1) Shuffling is the way to go. I also T-push. I have really bad knees and have little to no pain the next day. I also have about 4-5 knee lifts on my pads to easy with the impact. Playing the angles and playing further out also cuts down on the movement to an extent. I actually play outside of my crease and play the angles. Though I have practiced quite a bit and can skate backwards while moving quickly laterally.

2) rebounds - What type of pads do you use? Possibly because I have always been roller iI have no issue with control. My battrams direct the puck exactly where I want it to go and my team actually expects it. Normally one guy will go to the point and wait for my deflection for a breakout run. practice this though. Roller pucks since they are lighter and less dense bouce a lot more and thus end up oin the edge a lot more. not much you can do about it really but most shots will hit you square and as long as your pads are angled right you can launch it out.

3) Sliding - Get pad covers. i am guessing you are playing on concrete or some other harsh material with ice pads. I have full inline pads (ballistic nylon and slide plates) so I have no issue sliding at all. In fact I can and do slide all over my crease. When you master that you will b at a huge advantage as most players assume roller goalies are stuck when they are down. i am not and I make a lot of saves by baiting in players.

Pack up on the right gear for stingers. Sure the roller puck is less dense but the guys can fire it just as fast and you will more than likely see more shots in roller.

heat - Underarmour is your friend. buy it online if it isnt in your local store. I used to play with the pants but now dont since I prefer to not have anything on my legs.....

positioning - I play rather aggressive and play outsied of my crease or along the line to cut down the angles. but than again I have awesome movement. You will have to figure out a happy medium for yourself. From what you said in your followup post it looks like you are finding that.

Welcome to the wonderful world of roller......

[blackman34]

The more I play, the more comfortable I feel. In addition to the 2 Sunday games, I've been getting called about 1-2x a week to fill-in. It's great to be back in the game!

I'm still playing better than I expected. My muscles still remember how to make the moves- I'm just a bit slower and still figuring out how to read the play with 1 less man. I've made quite a few mistakes, but I only seem to make them once- so that's a plus.

I'm playing on sport-court and I'm looking at new pads pretty soon. Right now, missions seem to be the top choice. My Vortek's are holding up well but I just can't slide. And for the price of good pad covers, I might as just well get new pads.

I just placed an order for a new CM9 C/A unit from Paul. I underestimated the velocity of these shots! Also ordered knee cushions to add to my pads. My knees are getting beat up pretty good.

Still having trouble with rebounds. That is by far the most difficult thing for me. I'm getting better with movement and skating, although my knees are KILLING me. I'm getting burned on breakaways - that will fix itself with time.

the advice on this board has been great. I still miss the ice but I enjoy roller ok.

[soulpatch]

for roller pads I highly recommend the battram lineup.

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by blackman34

My Vortek's are holding up well but I just can't slide. And for the price of good pad covers, I might as just well get new pads.

I just placed an order for a new CM9 C/A unit from Paul. I underestimated the velocity of these shots!

After the wait you had I figured you would use them till they died. If you are handy at all you can make your own covers like I did for around $50 CAD. You need to have someone decent with a sewing machine.

I second the need for a good c/a. Some of my biggest bruises are from roller. Even though the puck is less dense and lighter most guys who can really fire the ice puck can just blister the roller puck.

[blackman34]

With the amount of time I spent waiting for the vortek's, I'm worried about wearing them out on the sport court too quickly! I'll keep them safe for when I move someplace where there's ice.

Battram stuff is indeed very high quality- but assuming my time on roller is limited to 2 years or so, I just don't know that I can invest that much cash into his line. I had a set of Battram gloves a while back, and although great stuff, it just wasn't the right set for me. I never got comfortable with the glove.

As for pad covers, I have NO sewing capabilities. I'm a guy that throws out a shirt if the button falls off!

[Vision]

Fram had posted a link to a guy that builds covers. Prices seemed pretty reasonable but I'll have to look around to see if I can find it.

::m

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by Vision

Fram had posted a link to a guy that builds covers. Prices seemed pretty reasonable but I'll have to look around to see if I can find it.

::m

It is www.soargoaliegear.com

I tried it but it keeps timing out.

[dreadlockgoalie]

Originally Posted by hunster71

It is www.soargoaliegear.com

I tried it but it keeps timing out.

Is there any other way to get in contact with this guy? I'm also pretty interested in getting a set of covers made.

[Mx42]

Originally Posted by blackman34

With the amount of time I spent waiting for the vortek's, I'm worried about wearing them out on the sport court too quickly! I'll keep them safe for when I move someplace where there's ice.

Roller on Sport Court is no worse for pads than ice. At least on roller you won't get skate cuts and the like. Biggest wear point is at the toe binding on the boot, but all the sets of pads I've used, the wear has been minimal - just discoloration in the toe area.

Put some velcro on the inside edges on your pads. Don't worry about pad covers.

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by dreadlockgoalie

Is there any other way to get in contact with this guy? I'm also pretty interested in getting a set of covers made.

Try sending him an email at this address soargoaliegear@hotmail.com

[iflingpoo]

if you haven't already emailed him give him a call

778-772-3174

Ask for garnet