Every professional footballer will tell you how important it is to have gear that fits you correctly. From boots to kneepads, every piece of equipment counts. In this respect, gloves are a goalie’s best friend.
If you’re prepping your kid for their first match, here’s a guide to help you find the perfect junior goalkeeper glove.
Three Factors
There are three factors to keep in mind when choosing any goalie glove, and the same goes for junior gloves. First, there’s the size. Then the cut. And, finally, the foam type.
Size
Get your kid a pair of gloves that are too large for their little hands, and the ball will slip right through. Get them a size that’s too small, and discomfort will ruin the game.
With goalie gloves, it’s all about the palm width. This is what makes the glove feel overly tight or too loose – neither of which is ideal.
You can find the glove size on the packaging, but what do these sizes actually mean? Well, size 2 gloves are for small children around the age of five. Size 3 gloves are for children that are six years old. Size 4 is for small children of seven or eight. Size 5 gloves are for children of about nine years of age, while sizes 6 and 7 are for larger children aged between nine and twelve. Sizes 7.5-8 are for juniors of 13 or more years.
Cut
This refers to the stitching and design style for the palm and finger area of a goalie glove. You have a lot to choose from here.
But in truth, there’s no “correct” answer to the question of the cut. It’s all about personal preference. However, we’ve broken down the attributes of some of the most common goalie glove cuts:
- Roll finger – Often seen as a perfect middle between snug and spacious, traditional and covered with latex
- Negative – Snug, works great for skinny hands
- Negative roll – Very snug
- Flat cut – Spacious with high latex coverage
- Hybrid – A combination of different cuts
- Medius cut – Middle fingers negative, outer fingers rolled, spacious toward the outside, snug in the middle
- Hyla cut – Snug, comfortable, pre-curved, solid ball retention
- Total flare – Flat middle fingers, flared rolled outer fingers
- Ultra flat – Snug, flat palm and negative stitching
- Cresco cut – Spacious, brilliant for smothering the ball
Foam Type
Foam is there to protect your hands. It will certainly absorb any powerful shot but, more importantly, it will protect your thumbs from potential dislocation. There are three foam types with goalie gloves: Contact Grip, Giga Grip, and SuperSoft.
- Contact Grip – Works brilliantly in wet conditions and offers a ton of resistance
- Giga Grip – Keeps the hands cushioned and adheres wonderfully
- SuperSoft – Based on Giga Grip, but cheaper
Goalie Gloves for Your Kid
These were the factors that you should focus on when looking for the perfect junior goalkeeper glove. Keep in mind that your kid will probably have to try out various different pairs to find the ideal match. More than anything, it’s vital that you listen to your kid and test out which glove fits them perfectly.