Hey all,
I've been a committed user to finger save gloves for a good part of 5 years now, mainly since I pretty much only played 5/7 a side since I was 15 [Power league etc]. However I have start to play 11 a side once again and am questioning to whether it's worth paying extra for finger support gloves or whether tape and finger sleeves would do the same job but with better flexibility.
One of the main reasons for using finger save in the first place was because I often got swollen joints when playing, generally from short range finger tip saves and grew tired off the pain of that ensued for the days afterwards [I'm a guitar player so it doesn't help that either].
However, I obviously won't be facing these types of shots every week in 11 a side so am wondering whether to start using standard gloves for it and just either taping my fingers or using finger sleeves for that added bit of protection just in case. Also, I will hopefully be playing futsal in the next season [first training/trial in a few weeks] and have been told using fingerless gloves is a advantage due to the better feel for the ball.
So basically what I'm asking for is advice from experienced keepers to what is better option, in terms of protection and progressing as a goalkeeper.
Thanks.
Note: I have read the older threads regarding taping etc.
Welcome to the site mate!
I would never dream of using Finger protection gloves for an 11 a side game as I find them restricting when it comes to handling etc. But like you I have used them for 5/6 a side. It has never been a problem for me to use standard gloves for 11 a side without any taping what so ever.
So I guess it will be down to personal preference at the end of the day. But I find switching between the two no problem at all for my hands.
I second gkpaul's post, I have never worn finger protection gloves, and I dont think I never will! I spose it is a benefit, but for me, like gkpaul, is restricting, and harder to move then standard gloves. I have tried on FP gloves every now and then, but have always preferred non FP. It (exactly what gk paul said again!) would come down to personal preference, but I would think you can find many many more non FP gloves, for reletively cheaper prices than FP gloves.
Hope it helped.
"Everybody gets knocked down. What matters is how fast you get back up"
I faced the same problem like you before. Till now, i will still wear FP gloves if i am playing at 5-a-side pitch.
As for 11-a-side football, I will recommend you trying roll finger gloves. In my opinion, roll finger cut is a bit thicker that offers me a better protection and at the same time better gripping.
I have been using finger protection gloves on and off for the last 4 to 5 years and always regarded myself as a decent keeper with oddly shocking handling, now i know its the indian and not the arrow but since i made the move away from finger protection gloves 10 months ago my handling has improved drastically.
I started by getting a mate of mine to blast shots at me 3 times a week, wearing a standard roll finger with no tape or anything, i picked up little niggles injury wise in the fingers at first but these have gone away now (touchwood). Within a few weeks i was playing 2 11 a side matches a week without fp but using tape on the fingers injured during practice and within a few months i started wearing neg cuts, a cut i tried but could never play with previously because my fingers lacked strength and i ended up getting sprains and losing confidence.
In short, for me i was able to make the change because of the amount of practice i had in a short period of time, it hurt a little sometimes and for a while i was getting a hand to shots that would still go in, but the improvement in the solidarity of my game has been an enormous confidence booster for myself. I still use tape for fingers that occasionally get injured and the flexibility and adequate protection given works fine for me