One goal decides whether a soccer match is won or lost. What accessories make it easier for a goalkeeper to defend successfully? The well-chosen gloves play a key role, of course!
Just as runners have separate shoes for training and a completely different pair for competitions, the same is true for goalkeepers and their accessories. There are slightly different requirements for training gloves than for gloves used to successfully defend the ball during a match. What is the difference between training gloves and gloves worn during a match?
Training gloves are primarily designed to protect the wearer’s hands during the many hours of intensive training spent in the gym or on the pitch. On the other hand, the models for the match must be reliable in changing weather conditions. Even heavy rain should not affect the grip of the ball to the gloves.
If you want your defense to be effective, you should first of all take care of the comfort of using goalkeeper gloves. This is related to the choice of the appropriate size. Catching the ball in flight with gloves that are both too big and too small will be (to put it mildly) uncomfortable. How do I choose the ideal glove for my hand size?
The best way is to try the gloves on, and see if they fit as if made to measure. However, this is not always possible as sports accessories are increasingly ordered via the Internet. It is advisable to read the manufacturer’s sizing instructions. There are two popular ways to determine the size of a goalkeeper’s glove – individual tables include either full palm length, or palm circumference at the knuckles and middle finger length.
Another extremely important consideration when choosing gloves for a goalkeeper is their cut. There are three types of products available in stores:
Rollfinger – among all types, these gloves are distinguished by a fairly large grip area. People with smaller hands should not complain about the comfort of using them. The fingers are padded with additional foam, which increases the comfort of play even more. This proposition will work well for both more advanced amateurs and professionals.
Negative Cut – this type of glove has internal seams. They allow a firm grip on the ball and adhere perfectly to it. The player can feel the ball and it will not slip out of their hands easily. This is the type of glove preferred by professionals, usually those playing at the professional level. However, excellent grip comes at a price. The Negative Cut glove is definitely the most expensive among all the available proposals. An ideal solution for goalkeepers with small hands.
Flat – when it comes to purchase costs, gloves with the Flat cut are definitely at the opposite pole to the Negative Cut. It is extremely affordable, which makes it a relatively common choice for beginners. The Flat glove is also versatile – it works well both during training and at the match. Goalkeepers with large hands should be satisfied with them.
The final decision concerning the choice of goalkeeper gloves will belong to the player himself. They are supposed to be a second skin for him, which will help him play more effectively. Should one opt for comfort or be tempted by an attractive price? Everything is an individual question. The optimal situation is the one, in which we manage to combine comfort and low cost. If someone is just starting his goalkeeping adventure, he can safely start with cheaper proposals, and over time he will reach for models designed for more advanced players.
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