Factors affecting the coefficient of friction of soccer goalie gloves.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the coefficients of static friction of five different pairs of soccer goalie gloves with one soccer ball and to compare the effects of four different glove conditions on the coefficients of static friction. Surrogate wooden fingers were inserted into each glove and the glove was placed on a flattened surface of a soccer ball that was secured to a Bertec force platform. A ten, twenty and thirty pound load was placed on top of the glove and a pulling force was applied to the wrist of the glove. The results showed that different soccer goalie glove brands and models as well as different conditions all have significantly influence the coefficient of friction between the ball and glove. Soccer goalkeepers should be aware that there are differences in goalie glove brands and differences in how those brands react to different conditions.