| Goalkeepers gloves are a relatively recent innovation | | | | Manufactures have massively improved the materials |
| but now days it's very unusual to see a goalkeeper | | | | used in goalkeeping gloves in recent years. They are |
| without them. Ever since they were first invented | | | | now made using light synthetic materials which means |
| goalkeeping gloves have been rapidly improving and | | | | they are very comfortable to wear and offer far |
| now offer great protection to goalkeepers as well as | | | | more protection than original gloves. |
| improving their ability to prevent goals. This article | | | | Most important part of a goalkeeper glove? |
| discusses the reasons for wearing goalkeepers gloves | | | | The palm area of a glove is the most important as it |
| as well as factors to consider if your purchasing a pair. | | | | comes in to contact most with the ball. Shots are |
| Why do goalkeepers wear gloves? | | | | normally saved with this area so they need to have |
| In recent years, footballs have got much lighter and | | | | good shock absorption and also good grip for grabbing |
| can therefore be kicked much harder and faster by | | | | the ball, even in wet and windy conditions. |
| strikers. Goalkeepers need to protect themselves from | | | | Measuring for goalkeepers gloves |
| these shots and gloves remain the best way of doing | | | | It's vital that your goalkeepers gloves fit well. Badly |
| so. | | | | fitting gloves restrict movement making it difficult to |
| The other advantage of gloves is that they are made | | | | catch a ball cleanly. Gloves that are too small will be |
| of a sticky material and are therefore less likely to | | | | painful and distract you in a game, which could prove |
| drop the ball and spill it into the path of strikers. They | | | | costly. |
| also make catching crosses far easier. | | | | To measure your hand, measure the distance across |
| Glove Design and Construction | | | | your palm from one side to another. Always try lots of |
| Historically, gloves were made of materials such as | | | | different gloves of different sizes to make sure you |
| cotton, but this was soon stopped once it became | | | | get a comfortable pair. Remember that different |
| apparent that this material soaked up water and made | | | | manufacturers have different size guidelines, so if |
| the gloves very slippery and difficult to catch the ball | | | | you're a large with one brand you may not be with |
| with. | | | | another brand. |