Identifying a newbie in the water is beneficial.
It allows the seasoned players to recognise the newbie and so not tackle so quickly or so enthusiastically as would another seasoned player.
So far i know this:
In the Netherlands(in Tilburg) the newbie player gets a green hat (seasoned players wear black/blue or white hats).
In the UK and a another team in the Netherlands)they get an orange pusher stick (seasoned players use black or white pusher sticks).
On the photo is alexje, phot made by Sven
The reasons for the hat and most times a different type and colour glove
(the glove on the picture is the former model we made.and were we learnt much from)
Reason 1. Why not the sticks/pushers
Simpley. By using the same stick/pushers as all the other players they can try differend sticks from different players. All the players in TIlburg have there own model stick/pusher.
Reason2. Why caps an cloves
Because i train the players to look not only to the puck or stick off the other players. But look to the game around them and to the players always. Body langaues tells much off what an player want to do.
Other teams ask us why we protect the newbees. The mean reason. TO let them have fun also. If they go on with underwaterhockey, after some times they are no longer newbees. Especialy the non growing clubs ask us that.
No new players means at some time no team left. :lol: Protection for getting new players and maybe by that new good players after a time period. Is nessesairy to grow as team and club. Invest in new players is also investing in the game/sport underwaterhockey.
More players means more teams.
More teams means more games to play in competition.
More players mean more people nowing the game/sport,
people to start talking asbout the sport.
Getting interested in the game/sport.
All with all. PROTECTION NEW PLAYERS IS A GOOD THING.
How do you protect your new players?