Palatine Celtic Soccer Club

Winter Training Starting January 7th

Monday's @ Falcon Park 

5-6 U10's, U11's, U12's

6-7 U13 & 14

7-8 U15 & Up "HS"

Goalkeeper gloves are a highly important part of a goalkeeper's world. What to buy is always hard unless you know. Gloves take punishment throughout the year and get dirty. Without proper care, you cut the life of the gloves. Here are some buying tips and proper care needed to prolong the life and quality of your gloves.

Buying:

1. Always have 2 pairs of gloves, one for training (backup for games), and one for games.
2. You should only have a ¼ to a 1/3 of an inch at the end of your gloves of room. Anything bigger gives you a false sense of the size of your hand and is usually to bulky to deal with catching properly. Anything smaller when you catch will put to much stress on the seams.
3. Thickness and surface: The thickness of the palm is what will cause it to be softer when you catch. Manufacturers will give you 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm. For a game glove you should look at the 4mm and 5mm. For training 3mm is sufficient. As far as the palm, a soft palm is going to give you better grip and tear easier. A rougher palm is going to give you less grip and last longer. Do not worry about the small tearing of the glove for they will do that and improve the grip as it does. Big holes into the surface, is where you should be looking for a new pair.
4. For the younger players, spending more than $50 is too much for they will grow out of them. You should be able to find a decent pair for around $30. Look for the thickness in the palm, 3mm is a good thickness for this age.
5. For the older keeper, you still should be looking at spending no more than $80 dollars on your game gloves and around $30-$50 on your training gloves.
6. They are called gloves for a reason - they should fit like one. Gloves should feel like an extension of your hand. You should be able to move freely with them on and control them as you would without them on.

Glove Care:

1. Rinse gloves thoroughly in the sink using warm water.
2. Squeeze out the excess dirt and place the gloves in the sink with the palms facing you. With the water still running, rub your thumb along the foam palm pushing the dirt out of the glove. You should start to see the original color of the foam returning as you push the dirt out.
3. While rubbing them, now work shampoo into the glove. Continue to use the shampoo until the original color of the palm completely returns. Note: Cheap shampoo works best.
4. Rinse glove of any remaining dirt. Clean the Velcro now as well. Pick out any lint or dirt that will prevent the Velcro from holding itself closed during use.
5. Allow the gloves to sit at room temperature and away from direct light until they are as dry as you want them. I usually hang them on my towel rack in the bathroom. Finally, put your gloves in a "glove bag." Most companies who make keeper gloves also make glove bags to keep your gloves in good condition.
6. Final note: When out at the field, never leave your gloves facing up on the ground. Sunlight dries the gloves and does damage to them. Always have them facing down when not in use.