A goalkeeper’s most important tools are, of course, his goalkeeper’s gloves. Using goalkeeper gloves at training and/or during matches causes wear and tear. From the very first use, the gloves will show signs of wear, that’s an established fact. However, there are several important factors that you can influence yourself to limit wear and tear.
Quality
The quality of the goalkeeper’s gloves is the first point of attention we discuss. There are many different types of goalkeeper gloves available on the market. Every glove knows its quality and therefore the unique properties of the foam. When buying goalkeeper gloves, you determine the goal and budget to make a choice. This choice also determines which type of foam you choose. We usually distinguish the different types of foam as training and competition gloves. Characteristics of a training glove is that it has a ‘harder’ foam and is more resistant to wear and tear. The competition glove models have a ‘softer’ foam and are more sensitive to wear. A first point of attention is therefore to be aware of the quality foam you buy. For example, use a training glove foam on training, so your goalkeeper gloves are more resistant to wear and tear.
Frequency
By frequency, we mean how often you are going to use the goalkeeper’s gloves. Train 2 times a week or 5 times a week. The more often the goalkeeper gloves are used, the faster the goalkeeper gloves will wear out It is also true that at a training session you usually have to deal with a completely different frequency of balls to grab than in a game. For example, at a training session you might catch 100 balls and at a busy game you might catch 30 balls. The second point of attention is that you are aware of the difference in training frequency and also the difference in intensity during a match or training. Therefore, use a separate pair of goalkeeper gloves for training and a separate pair for matches.
Maintenance
Maintenance of goalkeeper gloves is essential for their lifespan. We’ve emphasized that before. Also with regard to the wear and tear of goalkeeper gloves, this is a point of attention that should certainly not be underestimated. Good maintenance ensures the correct care of the foam. That way the foam is never too dry. A foam that is too dry tears faster and therefore wears faster than a foam that is moist. The third point that we want to underline is that you should take good care of your goalkeeper gloves. In this way you extend the life of the goalkeeper gloves and the gloves won’t wear as fast.
Tip: read here how best to maintain your gloves
Surface
The surface on which you play is another point of interest. Whether you play on natural grass or artificial turf. Of course, playing on artificial turf has its advantages and disadvantages, but as far as the wear and tear of goalkeeper gloves is concerned, goalkeeper gloves on artificial turf wear out faster once than on natural turf. Of course, that’s only true if the goalkeeper’s gloves come into contact with this surface. Somewhat related to the quality of foam and the frequency, it’s advisable to adjust the choice of gloves to the surface. This way you can better control wear and tear.
User
User do I hear you think? Why does that affect the wear of goalkeeper gloves. Of course, you as a goalkeeper have certain skills. Every week these qualities help you and your team to make the necessary rescues. However, your qualities also ensure that you stand up in a certain way after a dive, for example. During goalkeeper training, attention is of course paid to trial and error and what is ideally the best way. Purely looking at the wear and tear of goalkeeper gloves, the starting point would be to get up from the elbows rather than the hands after diving. This way you avoid that extra wear and tear on the foam. Of course it’s a utopia to think that this always works. After an hour of goalkeeper training, it’s a bit of a waste of time during the final series.
Sometimes you’re through or it’s necessary in the game to get up as quickly as possible with your hands. Of course, that goal has to be prevented at all times. No problem, because gloves can take a beating. However, it affects the wear and tear. Therefore our last point of attention: be aware of your own qualities when falling and getting up and avoid as much as possible the direct contact of the palm of the hand with the surface and prolong the life span!
As you can read in our blog, the wear of goalkeeper gloves depends on many different factors. In summary, we put the points of attention to prevent
Points of attention with goalkeeper gloves
- Be aware of the quality foam you buy.
- Recognize the difference in training frequency and intensity of the activity.
- Maintain the goalkeeper gloves after every use and avoid tearing them.
- Control the degree of wear and tear on natural and artificial turf through the choice of materials.
- Use a separate pair of goalkeeper’s gloves for your training sessions as well as for the matches.
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