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Approach to Positional Play

One component I really enjoy when working with sports is the opportunity to make an impact. Most of the time I don’t get to choose what that impact is, and at times I’m surprised what it is in the end. Kids seems to latch onto different things for different reasons. Sometimes you have very concrete thinkers and sometimes not as much. A big part will depend on the age of the player. The fun part is creating a space where everyone can learn and grow.

The more opportunities I’ve had to teach the more I’ve learned and improved how I approach teaching. One thing that I’ve tried to focus on and teach is positional play. All classes I teach cover this topic. Some might try to avoid it with younger kids, but I think it’s important to spend time on. I think all players, especially developing players need to have a foundation in how the game works. Once they understand their role in the moment on the field they can then start to branch out which is where creativity can flourish.

Some kids are going to struggle with this concept. Some might grasp it right away and quickly realize how they fit into the flow of the game. Others, our concrete thinkers, will learn and try to understand their position and play it accordingly. They won’t deviate from what they’ve been told, and will likely get frustrated with the flow of the game. Depending on where you are in your teaching you may or may not have covered the topic of flow. Meaning, while a player plays a position, they may change positions in the moment based on the flow of the game.

Through this movement players may start as a defender, but end up as a forward and vice versa. If you haven’t covered that component you may see some frustration in some players as a result. Take note of it, and if needed address it. It’s important to somewhat manage frustration, but sometimes the struggle is purely developmental.  The more they learn and grow players will grasp concepts being taught.

Remember that everyone learns and processes information differently, and as an instructor we must remember to present information in different ways.  Some of these tools include using verbal cues to describe what is needed.  In other cases coaches may use a white board to map out the movement on the field.  Other tools may be a physical demonstration walking players through the process.  Many coaches use all of these tools and more to help teach their players.

Remind yourself and your players that for many this is a new sport, and that you’re all learning together.  Find any success and make sure to praise it.  As your players progress you’ll see an overall better style of play come out in the end.

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Does changing a sport change its core?

Floorball has been getting more exposure in recent years. A lot of it is due to an increase in awareness that the sport exists. It’s seeing more consistent exposure through highlighting the marquee events the sport has. The World Floorball Championships are a big focus for the sport, but the biggest event so far has been the World Games. Floorball was included in the 2017 games in Poland, and will be in the 2022 Games in the United States. All of this is focused on paving the way for Floorball to be included in the Olympics.

Floorball has a lot going for it making it a great sporting event, but there are some challenges ahead as the sport continues to develop.

One of the largest challenges to the sport is the size of the field. A standard Floorball field is 40×20 meters (132-66ft approx.). The size of that space make it increasingly challenging for developing countries to regularly play on a regulation field. On top of that finding a facility to house that space is equally challenging, especially in the North America.

A field that size would take up the entire gym space at most recreational facilities, and would be far too big for most school gyms. Some might argue that a solution is making the field smaller while playing with less players. While I’m an advocate of this, because you use what you have. However, at the highest levels of the sport, does this ruin the product? Could it possibly help?

A great component to the sport is that it is malleable through a learning curve, available space, and development of the players. However, if developing countries are to have a chance competing at the top levels they have to be comfortable playing on the traditional field. It’s one thing to play basketball on a high school court, but different when you transition to college or pros. Things are just different from space on the court to distance to the basket. The same rings true with Floorball. While in the U.S. program, leagues, and clubs can develop, if they don’t regularly play on a traditional field they will always be at a slight disadvantage.

Part of the question Floorball faces as it develops is, does it need to change, and if so how does it change? The IFF is looking to make some changes to the sport as it progresses, obviously looking to fit the needs of events like the World Games and Olympics. There is talk about shortening the match time from 20 to 15min periods. One potential change I could see would be to shorten the field and have less players. (note: I don’t know of any proposal or conversation from the IFF about this, just my opinion).

However, as mentioned before does changing this sport change its core? There’s NBA basketball, and International Basketball. NHL and International Hockey. These sports are playing a similar game, but there are differences to the game, including size of the playing surface, and thus style of play.

I’ve tried to think about this from both sides. On one hand you have organizations, clubs, and leagues who have been developing Floorball into its current form for decades. While change can be tough and usually not greeted well it can help. I’m not sure what changes would be needed if any. I like the current format as it is. I think the sport has all the ingredients to shine as a power sport.

However, on the flip side, as someone who is working to develop the sport at the beginning stages and build players to compete internationally it’s tough to train and have the necessary equipment and space to do so. There is ample access to high school or college space, but that tends to be smaller than what is needed. That’s not the sports problem, but creates initial hurdles in player development. Who knows where things will go, but I hope changes that are made benefit the sport for everyone in the long-run.

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Lasting Impacts of Teaching

A few years back I was working for a youth soccer company. I was in charge of the Pacific Northwest Region of the company, which covered Washington and Oregon. When I eventually left I had grown the business to contract with over 60 cities and over 10,000 participants. It was a lot of work, but I’m really proud of the job I did. I really enjoyed working for that company, and the lessons and skills learned have helped serve me well in my endeavors since. One of the things I learned was the lasting impact teaching had on me personally, and the kids I taught.

Teaching is rarely a glamourous job, but I’m specifically talking about teaching youth sports. It may sound fun, and don’t get me wrong it is, but in reality there’s more to it. Whether you know it or not, if you’ve chosen to step out and teach you’re making an impact. Those impacts can be positive or negative, and it’s important to know your role in the process.

When I first found Floorball I immediately saw its potential as a sport, and in teaching youth to play. There is a market to be had that I see using Floorball to break into. The youth sports instructional scene is very crowded area, but there’s always room for more. As I began to think about how I would approach this process I kept coming back to my soccer days. In my mind it was a perfect fit, but at the time I fought it because I needed a break from teaching. Teaching is a demanding component on your time and energy, and I wanted to make sure that I could bring both effectively. I reached out to my old client in my town and we put a youth floorball program together.

It’s been 3 years since I started teaching floorball classes regularly. It was a challenge at first to find a date/time that would work within my current job and life schedule. I chose a day that was fairly light for me, and something I could make sure I could be consistent on. I’m a big proponent of consistency. I wanted parents to know that it would be at the same day, time, and location every session so they could start to plan on it. It’s been successful, and I’m really proud of it. I make some money off of it, and while it’s not huge, it has allowed me to continue to grow the game the way I wanted to. It hasn’t always been easy or fun. There have been challenges along the way, but in the end I know it’s worth it.

That reminder of it being worth it has come in different forms. From parents talking to me about how joining Floorball has helped their kid overcome fear, anxiety, or just found a passion in something. Those are the things that mean the most, and are the reason why I do what I do.

There are kids out there not being reached in the current sports scene for any number of reasons. By creating opportunities to reach them I’m hoping they’ll find themselves. Every week is a new week, and the kids I teach are a week older. I never know what child I’m getting on that day, but in the end having a chance to make an impact is enough for me to keep pushing forward. What’s fun is that the longer you teach the more kids you get to see, and seeing kids grow and mature is fun. I’m excited to see where these kids go, and hopefully I’ll get to see them mature into adults and positive role models. I encourage anyone reading this to take a chance on themselves and the kids around them and get involved in teaching. If it happens to be Floorball great. If not, that’s ok too. Good luck on your journey, and if I can help along the way I’m happy to do so.

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Adding Floorball to your Repertoire

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy playing multiple sports to suit your interests and needs. Growing up I played just about anything I could get my hands one. This became important in my personal development and if the topic itself has become more common place in media. Whether you’re an individual or an organization you should at the very least consider adding Floorball to your repertoire.

As an individual there are many benefits to playing or learning to play Floorball. The physical benefits of running are clear, which I enjoy because I need a reason to run. It’s one reason I enjoy sports so much. Cardio is an important component to our lives and Floorball focuses on both endurance and quick burst movements, which is important to develop in most sports. If you’ve chosen a preferred sport and are looking for something else to keep your physical skills in tune during the off-season Floorball is certainly one to look at.

By playing multiple sports players can not only take a break and recharge, but in the process; they’re working new muscles both physically and mentally. While many players focus on developing physically they may not realize how they’re developing mentally. Some call this development athletic IQ. An athlete with a higher IQ in this area can use that to their advantage in any number of scenarios. There lies the true benefit. The more situations a player is exposed to the better they will be able to read the field and hopefully make the proper decisions in the moment. This is a long-term skill, but the exposure of multiple sports and factors can help in this development.

While there are benefits to adding Floorball to an individuals’ repertoire, the same can be said of an organization. In today’s market many organizations are working to stay ahead of the curve. If they’re a pay to play organization the heat is always on to attract new customers while attaining current ones. This requires businesses of this nature the challenge of keeping up with current trends in the market, while trying to read what will increase business. There are many variables to account for, but if there is a building involved one of the key focuses is to maximize it’s use. For many areas everyone has the same old standards for sports. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I would argue that there is a market that is being missed. Will Floorball be the answer to all? No. However, I believe if given a proper chance with the correct training and education it will begin to take hold on a massive scale.

I’ve seen the beginnings of this first hand through my own programs. I’m not one to just talk, I’m actively working on these things myself. I’ve started classes, leagues, camps, and clinics along the way. I’ve seen a very clear market for this sport. For those looking for something a little different and a way to offer more options for customers within the space you already have, Floorball is certainly worth a look. I hope you will give it a chance, and if there is a way I can help you I would love to have the opportunity to do so.

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Stick Sizing Matters

One of the questions I seem to get more often, especially from new players, is what size stick should I get? This is a pretty basic question but is an important one to ask. I see a general assumption among newer players that a longer stick is preferred. But why?

It’s an interesting phenomenon really. If you put a stack of sticks in front of people they’ll generally grab a larger stick. Is the assumption that a longer stick equals a better stick? Or, is it an educational piece that they just simply don’t understand. I think for many they’ve been inadvertently conditioned to think that a hockey type sport should have a similar size stick. For many when they think of hockey they think of the hockey stick that is as tall as they are, especially in comparison to a Floorball stick.

If you’re starting out or are teaching Floorball for the first time you’ll quickly see this process play out if you have multiple sizes of sticks. However, the bigger is better idea doesn’t always work in Floorball. While a hockey stick is typically sized to around the chin, a Floorball stick is sized to around the belly. Don’t forget that the hockey stick is longer because you’re also standing on skates.

What matters is the height of the player in relation to the size of the stick for a proper fit. Too long and they player is unable to access the full performance of the stick. Too short and they will struggle physically with the sport. Both put the body out of optimal movement which reduces effectiveness and overall fun for the player. The challenge for taller players is there are limits to the length of the stick, but the International Floorball Federation does have allowances for longer sticks, though they’re harder find.

By having a short stick, in comparison to hockey, the player is able to control the ball in tighter space. By having the ability to keep the ball close to the body it makes it harder for the defense to steal it. It also allows for quicker movements in motion to move the ball, and it allows the player to flex the stick to generate optimal power. These are the basic concepts that should be implored on everyone when we talk about education of the sport. We need to make sure that people know and understand why a stick that’s properly fitted will improve their development, but also their overall enjoyment of the game.

When I teach this is one of the first things I discuss. While I don’t hand sticks out I separate them accordingly and tell players which sticks to look for. Inevitably I get kids who grab a larger stick than they need. I don’t always correct them. I’ll let them work with it, and usually they struggle. At this point I will encourage them or hand them the proper stick and ask them to tell the difference. It doesn’t take too long for them to realize which one is the better fit. It’s about education and it may seem like a small thing, but the more we can educate the better understanding players will have; which only adds to their own learning and hopefully enjoyment of the sport.

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Good things take time

Starting any new venture can be both exciting and nerve wrecking. If you’re stepping out and doing something new you’ve likely invested in that venture. That investment could usually come in the form of money, sweat equity, and an emotional investment in the process. It’s no small feat to make these investments, and in the beginning, there are visions of grandeur as we plot out the path of our new venture. While it’s great to have those visions the timeline that they may or may not come to fruition may vary. My path in Floorball has been no different.

I found Floorball a bit late in the game. However, having a background and experience in developing new programs, coaching, and being active helped me see a vision for Floorball. It’s been 6 years from that initial finding that I’m here today, and while the timeline hasn’t always worked out I’ve tried hard to show up and do the work. I’m convinced without a shadow of a doubt that Floorball has a bright future. While many see the future of the sport from a retail perspective, I see the potential from many different angles, and see it flourishing. The first step in the process is developing it at the youth levels.

Development in youth is a long and tedious process, one that is not for the faint of heart. In many ways it’s a sacrifice, but one that will pay dividends in the long run. The hard truth about any new venture is that usually it requires one person who puts in the effort pushing things along with the hope of getting more people on board. This process will get frustrating and it’s an easy trap that many people fall into. They think it’s going to be easy, or that it will catch on immediately. There are assumptions that people make but don’t do the work to follow up with it, or at the very least they don’t think outside the box.

For me, I saw the potential in Floorball through youth classes. I had a lot of experience developing youth sports and felt this was a great fit. I was right, and I’ll be the first person to argue that it’s the starting point. I reached out to my local parks and recreation department and developed a relationship. Through that partnership I started teaching. Three years later I’m still teaching regularly and making an impact in the sport and on the lives of kids in my city. From the instructional classes spawned a league, clinics, and camps. It wasn’t something that happened overnight, and in fact it took about two years of teaching classes before I did my first league and camp. Now people know what Floorball is and mark it on their calendar as something to look forward to each season.

While it’s nice to have a partnership, it doesn’t always work. Nothing wrong with that, and when I started my first league at the time the city wasn’t interested. It wasn’t that they didn’t support it, they just didn’t see it working out at that time. You’re going to run into this, but how are you going to react? My option was to push forward. I was able to get gym space for the league from the city, but I had to market it and run it on my own. I believed it would work because I had laid a foundation of teaching classes that I felt a league was the next step. I was right; and was able to start my first league in the fall of 2018. When I got the initial no, I could have given up. I could have pushed things back, or I could have pushed onward. I chose to push onward.

For those of you reading this I think the best advice I can give is to try. We’re too worried about failure and how that will make us look to those around us. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been there. However, I’d rather try and fail than not try at all. I regularly tell that to my own kids, and the kids I teach. Push yourself and if you fail along the way learn from it and keep trying. If you’re in the process of starting Floorball I’d love to help you along that way.

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Importance of focusing on youth development

I’ve tried really hard to consistently evaluate Floorball and where I think it’s going in order to best prepare, plan, and make the right moves to push it forward. It’s funny when this process happens at times because I don’t usually just sit down and think about it. It’ll come up as I’m doing something else, or if I have time to let my mind wander. Working in and around sports for the majority of my life has helped shape my view on some of this stuff. While many are trying to figure out how to grow the sport, I think the best answers are usually the simplest ones. It should come as a surprise, but for some reason this answer is difficult for some to grasp. I believe if you truly want to grow Floorball you have to develop it at the youth levels.

Simple right? Makes sense when you think about it, but then why isn’t more emphasis placed on it? Some will immediately jump to putting the burden on schools and having them running it in P.E. class. We’ve been seeing a number of NHL teams jump into Floorball and offer it in a variety of ways. Don’t get me wrong this is great to see, but what we’re not seeing in return are clubs or organizations created and developing Floorball programs to push things along as well. That’s a potential problem.

One of the things I believe is key to success and is something missing are businesses popping up to teach the sport, start leagues, and grow the game from that standpoint. The business models are already out there from other sports the question is who is willing to put in the work to do it? I venture there are a number of people out there willing to take advantage of the untapped opportunity, but many will just sit on the sidelines and see what happens. They will be happy to talk about how the sport should be here or there, but not as willing to put in the work to make it happen. That’s one of the things that’s more frustrating to me and is a lost opportunity. I think we’ll see pockets of things happening, and eventually it’s going to catch on.

Like other sports and the clearly lucrative youth sports segment I’m amazed that more people are trying to tap into this purely from an economic standpoint. I’m not even talking about the retail potential, which will eventually become crowded, I’m talking about people being able to somewhat corner a market in their area or region if they so choose. Soccer is a great example of this. In the early years you saw maybe a small handful of businesses teaching soccer classes, but mostly camps. Now it seems like everyone is doing some sort of soccer camp or program. Floorball could become that, and I believe that through the youth focus it will. Just watch in time, you’ll start to see more and more things pop up regarding Floorball. The question is are you going to be part of it, or the one playing catch up when, not if, they take hold?

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Don’t give away your value

Anytime you start something new you will face naysayers.  In many cases these people will come from those closest to you.  These same people will likely come to you with what they believe are good intentions to deter and discourage you from pursuing, or pushing forward in your new venture.  While many people want to say they support your new venture many will not.  Frankly there’s nothing wrong with that.  Everyone is entitled to their opinions whether they should share it or not.  The challenge you will face is to either bow to the criticism or push past it.  If you’ve started a business, program, or venture most won’t be able to see the vision that you see.  You must show it to them your value.

When starting my business I was routinely asked by my mentor and friend a simple question.  What does success look like? Success for everyone is defined differently. Does success in a venture mean money or a specific amount of money? Does it me freedom to do what you wish? Does it mean having the ability to bring value to other people? Here’s the trick to the question. Whatever success looks like to you own it. The main step is taking steps to answer that question.   When you do answer it move onto the next piece that will take you even further.

As your business or venture progresses, and you’re doing the right things to cause a ruckus, people will begin reaching out to you.  You may be surprised and encouraged that you’re making an impact, but be careful.  I want to see the good in people, and I hope that people act in good faith.  Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.  People will see what you’re doing and will look to steal it and claim it as their own. Don’t fear it happening work to make sure that you’re the better product on the market. That means you need to prove yourself time and time again.

Another person and/or business may come to you under a clouded veil.  They may offer you something, or frankly nothing, but in return they want to gain access to the network and value that you’ve created.  Watch out for these people.  Every time this comes up take time to step back and evaluate what’s being offered, and what you may be giving up in return.  If the opportunity doesn’t benefit you pass on it. A good partnership should benefit both parties.  If someone wants to use your services they should be willing to pay for it.  If they’re not, then they’re not really interested and may be looking to get something for nothing. It’s one thing if you’re priced out of the market. Depending on the market you’re after make sure you know where you land. If your focus is on the high end then make sure you’re services reflect your pricing. If the value is there your customers will come in time.

I once had someone word for word copy and paste my blog onto their website and tried to claim it as their own.  When I confronted them about it they tried to make it sound like they were doing me a favor.  Mind you, they had not asked for permission to do so, and in most cases people never will regardless of copyright.  My initial reaction was to say that it was a simple mistake.  While I’ll never know whether that was true I fought them on it.  Eventually they took the information down, but I wouldn’t have known what steps to take without support from my business mentor.  Knowing the value, you bring comes with having a solid group of people around you.  This group of people have no stake in your business, but are there to fight alongside of you and help you protect it.

If people are attacking you don’t run from the attack, embrace it.  People usually don’t care what’s going on outside of their own lives.  If they’re taking the time to attack you then you’re clearly doing something right.  Keep your head down and push forward.  Don’t stop for anything and be willing to fight when the time calls.  Whether you know it or not, there are people out there that want to see you succeed. Keep at it.

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Building a Brand – A daunting task

If you’ve been following me over the years, you’ll likely know that I’m passionate about Floorball. This is not a sport that I grew up playing, though I wish I had. I came to the sport later in life, but I see what it is and what it can become, and I’ve been working to build it ever since. Starting a business was not something I ever thought I would do. Though, I’m always on the lookout for new things, and when I found Floorball I was hooked. Once this happened I started forming an idea for a business in Floorball. It wasn’t until a chance encounter and a push from an outside source that I jumped in and started a business.

Prior to starting this venture I had gotten to know the market of Floorball in the U.S. and got to know some of the players. Overall, it’s a small community so everyone knows everyone else. This allowed me to figure out what path would be best for me and my talents. I also wanted to look and how I could separate myself from the pack. Through the guidance from someone who would become my business mentor and later friend (who came up with the name) I set out to start Floorball Guru, LLC. I’ll be honest I didn’t care for the name Guru, but I can’t even remember what other names I tried to come up with. Reluctantly I agreed to the name and pushed forward. The main reason I struggled with the name was internal doubt that I had value to bring to the game. It was a lack of self-confidence in myself that I could do it. As I started to build the business I found my confidence. I was also confronted with a few unique situations where I had to stand up for myself and my brand. All of this was part of the process that helped me grow as a person and business.

What sets Floorball Guru apart from other businesses in Floorball is that I’m focused primarily on developing content. I have a deep passion for the sport and I felt the best way for me was to share that knowledge to help others. I felt that the more education and resource materials I could produce the more willing people would be to listen and act. The first step in the development of the business was creating enough content to keep the ball rolling. Before I launched the business, I wrote a year’s worth of content that could be sent out weekly through social media and a newsletter.

This process was tedious but set a foundation that has evolved over time. Doing so has freed me and my business to expand and pursue other avenues to build on top of the educational platform. Over time I started my podcast as a means to expand what I was doing. I’ve also done videos, though that’s one area I’m still working to improve. It also allowed me time and space to write and publish a book on Floorball. The Floorball Guru Primer was everything I wanted to develop. A resource that anyone could read to learn, teach, and grow Floorball on their own. I would say it’s doing just that.

The latest evolution in the brand has been to start selling my own branded equipment. This process has been a challenging but interesting one. I’m still learning every day, but I know it was the best step going forward. So far the response has been very positive, and I’m excited to see where it all goes.

As Floorball Guru continues to evolve you will continue to see more and more content designed to grow the sport in sustainable ways.  If you want to get involved in Floorball please reach out as I’d love to speak with you and help support you and your program. It’s not enough to see programs start. I want to ensure they succeed and grow. I see a vision for this sport and for my brand, and I’m excited to continue to work on the growth of the sport of Floorball.

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Navigating Equipment Choices

You’ve hopefully found out about Floorball through some form or another.  Hopefully you were able to get some hands on experience through a demo or some other form.  If not, it’s likely that you’re intrigued by the sport and want to know a bit more.  Doing a brief internet search you’ve likely come across a variety of companies selling Floorball equipment and you might be wondering what the differences are between sticks. Similar to other sporting equipment out there, Floorball equipment varies in quality, performance, and construction.  It’s hard to know what the right choice is for you, and even harder to make a choice if you’ve never actually held the stick in the first place. 

I’ve been in your same situation and I’ve been fortunate enough to try many sticks. As part of my platform I write unbiased equipment reviews on my site because I want to help people make educated decisions about their equipment.   If I think something is garbage I’ll make sure to state that, because I don’t want others to be frustrated with it.  It’s really frustrating shelling out money to only be disappointed with what you get, especially if you’re unable to get your hands on it first.

The Floorball Stick

Floorball sticks are comprised of fiberglass, carbon, or a mixture.  The characteristics of a Floorball stick will vary depending on their construction, but a lot of your final decision will depend on your playing style.  Increasingly, Floorball companies are developing and marketing equipment to meet your playing styles.  If you’re lucky enough to have a shop near you, or an opportunity to try multiple sticks I encourage you to do so.  Some things you’ll want to pay attention to is the flex of the shaft, and how the blade feels.  This can take a bit of time to recognize, but once you do you can start to more effectively hone in on the characteristics you’re looking for in your stick.

When I’m looking at a stick I’m looking for something that will complement my playing style, and give me the performance I need.  I’ve played with $40 sticks that I feel perform better than $80-100 sticks, and vice versa, so don’t solely make a decision based on price.  One of the unique characteristics to Floorball sticks is that they’re lightweight, but keep their shape during flex and allow you to increase performance.  When I grab a stick I’m evaluating its weight but that’s not my main priority.  I’m more interested in how the stick feels. I note the flex of the stick first and foremost.  Floorball flex is usually in the name of the stick and marked on the shaft as well. 

Stick Flex

For younger players and most beginners the ideal flex would be a 32-35. The purpose of flex is to create energy through the shaft of the stick that when released propels the ball forward quickly.  It’s not solely about strength, but finding a balance in the flex of the stick and the player.  For most this means that you’ll still be able to create flex out of the shaft to create energy effectively.  If your flex number decreases (i.e. 30,29,27 etc.) it will require more force to flex the stick, which creates more energy.  One thing to note is that depending on your playing style a stick with a flex rating at 27 may not be the right fit for you, whereas, a flex of 29 might be the right balance. Until you get your hands on it, knowing the difference is a challenge.

Blades

The other piece to the puzzle is the blade.  Blades are being constructed with a variety of characteristic.  In many cases sticks are already paired with an appropriate blade, though you can easily change the blade to suit what you’re looking for.  Blades are typically marked based on how hard or soft they are.  You should be able to find this information marked on the blade.  A hard blade is good for shooting, though harder to control fast passes.  A soft blade is great for passing and control, but you lose power during shots.  The characteristics of the blade come down to how it feels, which you won’t know until you try it. 

Conclusion

I would recommend when you purchase a blade to go ahead and purchase a different blade to test out.  You can always switch back and forth to find a pairing that works for you.   The more you play, the more you experience the better understanding you’ll have on the equipment that works for you. For more information about equipment choices check out podcast and written reviews.