As a goalkeeper, I've had a few jammed fingers, and incidently, one was fractured today. The reason? A high-velocity projectile slamming into my fingers, bending them backwards or to the side, out of their normal range of motion.

Thus, I propose a titanium (or other lightweight metal) exoskeleton to disallow lateral movement and hyperextensions. Perhaps a plastic tip could cap off the tips of the fingers to combat jams.

I'll look to the engineers here for suggestions of other feasible alloys.
-- WordUp, Aug 15 2004

(?) Big Gloves http://www.obo.co.n...e=robo&product=robo
The harder the ball, the bigger the gloves... [Fishrat, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Reusch Raptor Pro G1 OT Goalkeeper Gloves http://www.thegoalk...s-raptor-ortho.aspx
"The ORTHO-TEC technology is based on ergonomically moulded sticks which adapt perfectly to the fingers and may be individually put in or taken out." [jutta, Aug 20 2009]

Alloy should be rather "soft" as well and provisions have to be made for the exoskelton breaking (break points?) as well.
-- whatthe, Aug 15 2004


the dream glove, of course, would feature stickiness, so if the ball touches it, it stays on the glove. There could be a release button to let it be punted or thrown out.

It'd make it even harder for Beckham to score an Euro penalty then!
-- adamosity, Aug 15 2004


//A high-velocity projectile slamming into my fingers//

They allow goalkeepers in skeet shooting?
-- UnaBubba, Aug 15 2004


Pretty sure this is illegal but I'm gonna check the FIFA website and see if I'm wrong.
-- etherman, Jan 19 2005


I presume part of [WordUp]'s proposed change would be an addendum to FIFA's rules.
-- disbomber, Apr 05 2005



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