Soccer goalies need some additional protection compared to the other positions.   After all if you got a Pele on the opposing team the ball can be coming at you near 75 MPH.  You are going to want some protective gear to keep you from getting hurt.  Luckily now a days there are more items that look awesome and give greater protection than ever before.

One of the most important parts of your body to protect is your head.  I don't need to tell you how important your head is, I am sure you already know.  If not then perhaps its not that important.  For head protection you can use the traditional foam goalie helmet.  These helmets are pretty much the same but they do come in different colors so you can look a bit more stylish.  They are available in colors white, black, royal, and scarlet.

Unfortunately for some there is a negative stigma with soccer goalie helmets.  The other choice is the Full 90 Head Gear.  This head gear not only looks good but does a great job of protecting your noggin.

The Full 90 headgear represents the latest advancements in performance protection technology™ and Tru-play™ design. It is based upon feedback from professional players and use under real game conditions, and therefore, is ideal for those athletes who play full out at the highest levels of the game. 

The premier features an advanced Tru-fit system ™, which is comprised of the new x-band design and new interchangeable occipital back padding. The interchangeable occipital back padding comes in two sizes; ocp-1 and ocp-2 for more or less coverage of Forcebloc™ foam for the occipital area of the head. This gives players the amount of protection that's right for their style of play.

The x-band ™ design has a lower profile, a lighter weight cross-strap construction, and comes with fabric that helps accelerate moisture evaporation. This allows the premier to better conform to the shape of the head, improves "the feel" of the ball as it makes contact with the head, and significantly reduces moisture build-up. The result is a more comfortable and sturdy fit and a greater degree of the full90 signature Tru-play performance.

For a goalie their hands are an important asset.  With out their hands they are not going to do a good job of stopping the ball.   It is imperative that the goalie has a good pair of goalie gloves.  These days with the new fabrics, plastics, and construction methods you are going to find some gloves that really look good and protect your hands like never before.

An example would be the Reusch Duo Pro Bowl Goalie Gloves these gloves offer top of the line features that contribute to durability, protection and a secure catch.

Here are some of the features:

• Palm of glove: patented duo mega foam. An additional layer of latex on the inside of the palm guarantees maximum impact absorption and gives the keeper optimal contact with the palm for secure catching and extraordinary ball feel and control.

• Backhand of glove: the latest Shockshield Advanced™ provides additional protection to the keeper when punching a ball, or getting stepped in during play.  For the first time anywhere, this technology makes it possible to emboss the latex coating on the upper side of the glove in a unique three-dimensional landscape of raised hills and inset valleys.  This makes it possible to support the stressed zones on the back of the hand in a well targeted and effective way with shock-absorbing material.  Without restricting the flexibility, this revolutionary new idea helps absorb and distribute impact over the largest possible area.  The new stretchable P.U. backhand material makes for more flexibility for the hand and an even tighter, more comfortable fit.

• Construction: the anatomically shaped bowl cut allows the keepers to keep their hands in a more comfortable position.  Our air vent system™ keeps the players hands cool and dry during play.  The deep cut in the thumb notch includes an elasticized piece below the foam to help eliminate tear out.  The additional patch of foam on the wrist area allows the keeper better ball control when throwing the ball.  The integral wrist support system allows the wrist strap to go over or under this foam patch.  The optimal fit and catching zone provided by our revolutionary ESS™ (ergonomic support system) cut uses a pattern that helps the fingers to be pre-splaying (spread so the keeper has a better hand position).  Flex cuts on the backhand, rolled thumb construction.

A goalies legs can get bombarded with the ball.  There are many shorts and pants out there that can help with protecting your legs.  A good pair of goalie pants would be the Reusch Andreas Breezer Goalie Knickers.

The Reusch Andreas Breezer Goalie Knickers offer removable padding and a loose bottom for a great fit.

Features:

• 70% polyester & 30% cotton design

• Removable hip padding

• Knee padding

• Pant is slightly longer than knicker length with open, loose bottom

• Black only

You can also get goalie shorts and buy a pair of knee protectors.

The next thing to protect would be the goalie elbows.  If you are diving to get that ball you will want the comfort of know you aren't going to skin up your elbows.  A great elbow pad is the Reusch Elbow Pad Deluxe is a goalie specific design for maximum movement and protection.

Features:

• Specific goalkeeper design knee pad

• Designed to help protect when diving

• Special EVA padding used for durability

• Available in sizes small or large

 

Last but not least you will want a good pair of shin guards.  These guard do not have to be as heavy or obtrusive as other positions need but they are very important.  A good pair of goalie shin guards would be the Trace 1500 shin guards which feature:

• Protects shin and ankle from bruises and abrasions
• Superior double stitching for quality
• Soft spandex/polyester prevents slippage
• Built in elastic keeps pad comfortable
• Thick 1/4" closed cell foam shin protection
• Offers conforming, high impact, multi hinged polyethylene plastic ribs in shin
• Deflects and disperses impact
• Plastic ribs allow for total flexibility
• Available in 10 team colors
• Available in sizes small through x-large. 

 

Being the goalie in a soccer game is not easy but at least there are ways to protect yourself from those 75 MPH soccer balls.  For more information on the above items or for more items to choose from check out www.morleyathletic.com.