Being a goalkeeper is a tough task in and of itself. After all, your agility and reflexes are always being tested on the pitch. What else is tested out there? Your gear! It acts as your armour on the field, ensuring that you’re protected from all of those hard shots you must make and the dives you must take. It keeps you safe no matter who the other team is, what the weather might be, or what unpredictable things happen from match to match. To make sure you’re at your best, maintaining that equipment that protects you is nothing short of a must. What can you do to expand the lifespan of your gear? Take a look at these tips.
Your Gloves
Maintaining your gloves actually begins the day you get them. They should be prewashed and allowed to dry naturally to make certain that the preservatives that are left from the manufacturing process come out of the latex. Washing them helps activate the latex and make sure you’re getting the grip you need when you use them.
To wash them, fill a sink with warm water (no hotter than 35 degrees). Rinse them, then allow them to soak for a bit. Add some glove wash to the palms and rub gently across the glove. Once you’re done, rinse gently in the warm water. Be sure you get all of the glove cleaner off, as leaving it on can cause some real damage to your gloves in the long run.
Once you’re done, you’ll want to soak up any excess water before you leave the gloves to dry on their own. Often removing that water with a glove towel is a good idea, but you don’t want to wipe or scrub at them. Just place them on the towel and press down to soak up the excess water. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to hang them to dry. Be sure you don’t place them in direct sunlight or a humid space to dry, though. You want a spot where air circulates freely.
Obviously, glove maintenance doesn’t stop there. While you’re playing, be sure to occasionally keep the palms of the gloves a bit damp if you want the best possible grip out of the latex on the palms. As a material, latex should never be dry. Try to gently squirt water on them during a match to keep them ready.
After a match or a tough practice session, you’ll want to wash your gloves using the method above and leave them to dry. Once they’re dry, store them carefully in a glove bag to protect them from damage when you’re not on the pitch.
Your Jersey and Shorts
You’ll absolutely want to keep your jersey and shorts as clean as possible. Before you do anything with either, read the labels! Most are made of a polyester composition, and that can make them more resistant to shrinkage in the wash, but warm water and heat from a dryer can really do damage to them.
In most cases, you’ll want to separate your jersey and your pants by colour. After all, washing a white jersey with red shorts could mean real problems. Turn both the jersey and the shorts inside out to protect the club logo and any printed sponsors on your gear. Add detergent, then throw them in the wash. If you have grass and mud stains that seem particularly rough, you may want to use a stain remover.
Once they’re done in the wash, you’ll want to hang them to dry. As with your gloves, it’s likely best not to dry in the direct sunlight, but keeping them in a breeze outside will help them smell a bit fresher.
Your Boots
If anything gets mucked up during a tough match, it’s going to be your boots. You should work to keep those clean in between practice and matches. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to do so. Start by taking out your shoelaces. Soak them in warm water with a mild detergent. Then, remove the insoles.
Dry brush the boots and insoles to get rid of any loose dirt. Then, using a cloth, a bit of warm water, and a shoe cleaning solution, rub your boots in a circular motion to get rid of stains and dirt. Be gentle! If they’re leather, you won’t want to use too much water. You just want to use enough to remove the dirt. You’ll want to do the same to your insoles. You can use a towel to pat the excess water from them, then allow them to air dry in a spot with good ventilation. If your boots are leather, you’ll want to rub them with a leather protector after they’re completely dry.
Your Bag
On a fairly regular basis, you’ll want to wash your bag as well. You don’t need to do this after every practice or match, but it’s best to do it on at least a monthly basis. First, be sure there’s nothing inside your bag. Then, dry brush any dirt off the surface of the bag. If there’s dirt inside the bag, you’ll want to get that out as well. At that point, you should be able to take a wet cloth with mild detergent on it and wipe out the inside of the bag. Allow it to air dry in an area with good ventilation.
A Few Other Key Tips
There are a few other things you can do to maintain your gear. First, regularly inspect it for signs of wear and tear. Look for frayed stitching, loose seams, or damaged padding. Catching these issues early allows you to address them before they escalate, potentially saving you money on replacements. If you notice loose threads, repair them promptly to prevent further damage.
Don’t forget to inspect the padding in your gloves and other protective gear. If it’s compressed or no longer provides sufficient cushioning, it’s time for a replacement.
You’ll also want to think about rotating your gear regularly.
Goalkeeping gear undergoes significant stress during games and training sessions. To extend the lifespan of your equipment, allowing each set to rest and recover prevents premature wear and tear. Rotate between your gloves every other week to give the latex time to recover its grip and resilience. Be sure to have at least two sets of jerseys and shorts to rotate during training and games.
Finally, remember that how you store your gear plays a crucial role in its longevity. Avoid leaving your equipment in a hot, damp, or cold environment, as extreme temperatures can damage materials. Be sure to store your gear in a well-ventilated area to prevent the growth of mould and mildew. A breathable bag or mesh compartment is ideal for this purpose. Moreover, even within your bag, you’ll want to use separate compartments for gloves, jerseys, and other gear to prevent friction and potential damage.
Protecting Your Gear
The importance of maintaining goalkeeper gear cannot be overstated. By regularly cleaning, inspecting, and properly storing your gear, you not only extend its lifespan but also ensure optimal performance when it matters most.