How to Break in a Hockey Goalie Trapper

Hockey goalies use their trapper glove to catch and hold pucks, making it a vitally important piece of equipment. While the goalie's leg pads, stick and blocker can stop pucks, they can also give up rebounds that lead to goals. The trapper, on the other hand, can hold and cover the puck until the referee blows his whistle to stop the play. Trappers are stiff when purchased and, like a baseball glove, need to be broken in before they're easily used to catch pucks.

Things You'll Need

  • Glove oil
  • Rag
  • Pucks
  • Softball
  • Rubber bands
  • String
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dab some glove oil onto a rag and rub the oil into the crease of the goalie trapper. If you open the glove fully, you'll see a crease in the leather where the glove will naturally flex. Work this area with glove oil, which can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. Do not over-oil the glove. Add a teaspoon of oil at a time and if it is absorbed quickly, you'll know you can add more oil. Once the oil does not absorb as quickly, you'll know you've added enough.

    • 2

      Place two or three pucks or a softball in the webbed catching area of the glove. Wrap the glove shut so the pucks or softball form a pocket in the glove. It is important not to simply crush the glove shut--doing so will flatten it, rather than give it a pocket.

    • 3

      Wrap heavy rubber bands around the trapper and tie strings to tighten it, if needed. Get the trapper as tight as possible so it forms around the pucks or softball inside it.

    • 4

      Place the wrapped glove under the mattress of your bed and let it sit there for several days. This step will help the trapper adjust to the closed position and make the leather naturally easier to manipulate.

    • 5

      Remove the trapper from the mattress and take off the rubber bands. Remove the pucks. You should be able to notice a more-defined pocket inside the glove.

    • 6

      Recruit a friend who can shoot a puck with accuracy. Stand in a goalie net and have the friend shoot pucks or balls at your glove side. Catch the pucks or balls and repeat this process to break in the trapper even further.