Why Do Soccer Goalies Wear Gloves?

Soccer goalies have the distinction of being the only member of the team who can touch the ball with their hands while it's in play. There is no better way to enhance that privilege than with a quality pair of goalie gloves. The gloves can be a great asset to the goalie, but they can also be a hindrance unless certain factors are kept in mind.

Soccer goalies wear gloves for several reasons. Gloves help protect the hands from hard, stinging shots and the elements, such as bitter cold, mud and rain. The gloves are also designed to improve the goalie's grip on the ball, giving her a better chance of catching or at least deflecting one of those stinging shots that may have otherwise slipped through her fingers.

The most basic and inexpensive goalie gloves are fairly thin and feature exterior padding on the fingers and palm to help grip the ball. A lot of them, however, are a lot thicker and padded. Some offer fingers that are reinforced, so they don't bend backward, which is a plus on hard ground where a finger can get jammed. It also protects against the fingers getting broken by bending back when hit by a hard, direct shot. Some are waterproof and made for extreme weather conditions. Match gloves are the most common gloves and probably the most expensive. These are used for professional matches. Training gloves are cheaper and recommended for the beginner and for use during practice sessions.

Many goalie gloves are made out of latex, with some featuring mesh in between the fingers so the goalie's hands can breathe. The insides of the gloves are often padded, adding protection and a slightly larger area for the ball to hit. Some type of closure will be secured at the wrist, either a latex band, rubber or Velcro closure. Gloves come in different sizes for the best fit. Prices can start below $20 and soar to more than $150, depending on the features chosen.

Soccer goalies should keep certain factors in mind. The first rule is to make sure goalie gloves are comfortable and a tad bigger than the hand. Fingers should be fully mobile and the grip should be solid. Quality gloves have quality stitching that is durable and does not appear as if it is going to unravel. The wrist closure should also be comfortable and tight enough to keep the glove in place but not so tight that it hinders mobility or circulation.

To keep the gloves in tip-top shape, it's imperative they are maintained properly. A special glove wash is available at sporting good stores that will get all the grime and debris off the gloves while keeping the material supple. Gloves should at the very least be wiped down with a damp rag then fully dried with a soft cloth after every use. Never throw the gloves in the washing machine or dryer.