gun shy

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by 1bigump

I use the GD stance and have taken 2 in the cup in the past week. Both were balls in the dirt that bounced up and hit me square. That is why I am bailing out.
Did a game tonight and took one right in the mask. Knocked my mask off and rung my bell. Has been a tough couple of weeks.

Three suggestions:

1. Move more into the slot, then the cupshots will become shinguard shots.
2. Loosen your mask straps - the mask will absorb more of the shock and the bell won't ring so much.
3. Get better catchers.

[briancurtin]

if getting hit in the mask really did ring your bell, dave's #2 suggestion should work. dont worry if the mask is coming off, worry if you head or neck hurt. you want the mask to take the force, not your neck. if the mask is flying off, thats good. if your head or neck hurts, loosen things up.

of course you need to make sure that your mask is still staying on your head when in a normal situation, but find that point where you can take a mask shot and just reposition your mask and say 'lets play' right away.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Of course there's not much he can do about Dave's #3 suggestion, unfortunately. That is usually the reason for getting beat up, not foul balls.