If you’re a goalie, and have injured the hand you’ll be intrigued by the idea of protecting your fingers. Since no one would like to hurt their hands two times! Finger protection helps goalkeepers avoid hand injuries. They also stop existing injuries from becoming worse. However, they’re not perfect. The finger protection that is as beneficial as it may be, could be problematic for certain players. This article will take an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of using finger protection on kids goalkeeper gloves and the best way to use gloves (and the best time to use them).
101 on Goalie Glove Finger Protection
Finger protection is made up of plastic pieces that you put inside the backhands of your goalie’s gloves. They’re also referred to as “fingers savers” also known as “finger spines”.
They allow one-directional motion – forward to form fists. They also stiffen up when you press them to ensure that your fingers don’t extend to far in the back.
This will protect your hands from injuries that happen when you stop the shots, or even dive. Finger protectors can be worn on each finger or just the specific ones.
Finger Protection Aids Hands Injury
We suggest wearing finger protectors that fit in goalie gloves following injuries to your hands. The injured fingers and hands aren’t fully developed and stretched. This puts them at risk to injury if they don’t have healed.
Refraining from diving or blocking shots with injured fingers can be the recipe for injuries and pain. Protecting your fingers with goalie gloves stops this from occurring.
That makes finger protection an effective recovery/rehabilitation tool. Finger protection protects injured hands from further injury until fingers heal. The main message that players should wear finger protection when wearing gloves for goalies after suffering injuries to the fingers.
Finger Protection Can Hinder Performance
As with everything else, the finger protection offered by goalie gloves doesn’t come with a perfect solution. In some instances, the use of gloves can hinder goalkeeper performance.
Here’s why.
Finger spines can limit your feeling of the ball. They also limit the movement of your hands and decrease their grip over the ball. It’s not a surprise that having less grip on goalkeepers is a bad idea.
This is a huge issue for goalkeepers who are young or novice. They must develop an understanding of the ball and any limitation in movement will hinder their growth.
For younger players that means they’ll never learn to properly catch the ball. They’ll probably develop the habit of repeatedly slapping at the ball which can be a poor technique.
In this way, fingers protect against goalkeepers and the development of their skills.
Finger Protection is more than wearing a finger spine
It’s been said before The best moment to wear fingers are protected in goalie gloves is following having suffered a finger injury. There are many other factors come are also in play. For instance, certain players are more prone to injury and might have sensitive hands. We’d suggest not wearing finger spines on your goalie gloves since you’ll be able to protect your fingers by using more effective ways.
If you’re concerned about injury to your finger, exercises for strengthening your hands and conditioning are essential. Goalkeepers need to take up these exercises regardless. Hand strengthening helps stabilize the fingers to ensure that they don’t stretch too much when you catch or block.
Hand Strengthening Training for goalkeepers
The tennis ball is squeezed
Pinch strengtheners
Extension of fingers using an elastic band
The wrist extension is weighted and eccentric.
Fingers bends
In addition to hand exercises, goalkeepers who master proper technique right from the start will be less prone to of suffering hand injuries. A proper technique for blocking shots is much more safe than poor shot blocking technique.
Removable Finger Protection Gives Players Flexibility
In the end, the decision to protect your fingers in goalie gloves is an individual decision for parents and players. The decision of whether to wear them or not should not be an issue. The best thing to do is buy goalie gloves that can be removed fingers savers.
It gives you the choice to wear them and then take them out when you’d like or as needed. Gloves with fingers that can be removed give you the greatest of both worlds. You can get rehabilitation for injuries when injured, and you can perform with flexibility in the event of injury.
Looking for a pair goalie gloves with a finger spines that are removable? Check out our selection of gloves for goalies to find the perfect size and design for you!