Next stop in fitting you top to bottom in goalie gear, your trusts mitts. Some of your most versatile equipment in controlling the puck, a few tricks will ensure a glove and blocker are perfect for you!
A tendy's glove and blocker are for more than just windmills and stoning snipers. Your hands have significantly more control over the puck than you may think, and correctly sized gear is key to snagging pucks and directing rebounds.
This is another area I find goalies up-sizing too soon or being sold products that are not quite right for them. While it may be tempting to level up to a senior size for coverage and to grow in to, this is usually detrimental to the growing goalie as they will struggle to close a glove too large for them or it will be too heavy for them to keep in a proper position.
Gloves and blockers are sized in levels, meaning these are classified either Youth, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior. Any equipment labelled Pro is Senior sized, but is considered an additional level of protection above Senior equipment (however, some companies have began a sneaky trend of calling the mid level equipment Pro and adding a 'brand' name for their top of the line). Measuring a goaltender's hand can help choose the level best suited for them. From the heel of the palm to the tip of the middle finger, record the measurement and compare to the below chart:
Youth - 4.5 - 5.75"
Junior - 5.75 - 6.25"
Intermediate - 6.25 - 7"
Senior - 7 - 8.5"
These are approximate values, be sure to double check a manufactures chart to get as specific as possible. Measure both hands as they may be different.
Once a level has been chosen, make sure the goaltenders fingers fit within roughly a 1/2" of the end of the finger stalls. Some glove breaks may affect how close your fingers get. Finger stalls should be comfortable and not overly tight, about 1/4" of space to the top of the stall. Wrist locks should sit on or just slight past the wrist bone up the arm. This is applicable to both gloves and blockers.
Both the glove and the blocker should be able to integrate with the chest protector without interference even with some overlap. The goalie should maintain full range of motion in both wrists in mittens that fit. Simulate playing the puck and see how your wrists can rotate as well.
Lastly, make sure the goaltender can close the glove. Any new glove will be somewhat difficult to close, but it should be comfortable and the glove should fit through the whole range of open to close.
Having trouble deciding if a glove is fitting right? Need some help breaking in a new mitt? I can definitely help, give me a shout! Looking for a set of your own? Check out the used gear tab for what's available!
happy tending!
mek
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