The Comprehensive List Of Essential Futsal Goalkeeper Equipment

In the fast-paced futsal game, the goalkeeper might just be one of the most vital members of the team – the last line of defense in front of the enemy forward. As such, the very nature of the role demands not only skill and agility, but also a unique set of protective equipment to help the goalie perform at his best in the most intense moments of the game.

One of the key aspects of the futsal goalkeeper equipment is to ensure the player’s safety while not compromising his performance. A goalie needs to be able to dive suddenly, react with great speed and agility, and have unimpaired reflexes and a great grip on the ball.

In the following list of gear, we dive into the various essential equipment that a futsal goalie needs on the court and discuss the importance and functionality of each item. We’ll look at special padded jerseys that don’t restrict movement, specialized gloves, specific indoor shoes and essential or optional protective gear, and much more.

So, join us as we unfold this comprehensive list of futsal gear that makes up the goalkeeper’s arsenal.

1. Futsal Goalkeeper Jersey And Bodywear (most of the time long-sleeved to protect from bumps or burns)

The jersey or bodywear is the heart of the futsal goalie’s attire. Most of the time it is long-sleeved since it’s designed to shield the goalkeepers from abrasions of the court when they have to dive suddenly for a save. They are similar to soccer jerseys in the way they’re built. This means that generally they should be padded, especially at the elbow area. This kind of cushioning is essential to protect the wearer from injuries and minimize the bruises a goalie might get otherwise in the game.

Also, as an official rule, the color of the goalie’s jersey needs to be different from the colors of the field players. Usually, these jerseys are more vibrant in color and easily distinguished in the hustle and bustle of the game. Modern goalie jerseys or bodywear are usually made from technologically advanced fabrics. These materials are meant to be comfortable (they don’t restrict movement, which is very important), but also breathable (sweat can be a goalie’s feared enemy because slippery sweaty hands can lead to dropping the ball).

Here is a great example of proper bodywear. This goalkeeper shirt boasts professional-grade XRD Extreme Impact Protection padding that absorbs up to 90% of impact. It’s designed for optimal movement and features specialized elbow padding and ergonomic chest pads to reduce rebounds. Combined with its sweat-wicking and breathable properties, it’s a top choice for futsal goalkeepers seeking protection and comfort.

2. Padded Goalkeeper Pants Or Shorts (to protect hips and thighs)

If you’ve played goalie before, you must know the feeling when you block a super-hard ball kick with your thigh. Depending on the strength of the kicker, a futsal ball can travel at speeds of more than 70 mph (110 kph). The bruise a kick like that can leave behind is pretty cute. And even if there’s no bruise the burning sensation is top-notch. Well, that’s where padded goalie pants step in. They have padding strategically placed to protect your thighs, either from a fast ball or from abrasions when you dive to save the goal.

Good goalie pants do not compromise on flexibility and range of movement. Quality pants are made from materials that balance being durable and breathable, as well as granting the goalie freedom to move and react fast. Decent padded pants often incorporate moisture-wicking properties. This way, sweat is drawn away from the body, making them more comfortable to wear in intense games.

We have to note that, depending on personal preference, past injuries, or simply the build and thickness of the padding in those special pants, some futsal goalies decide to also wear external protection such as knee pads. If you’ve suffered knee injuries before it’s best to wear knee pads, which are permitted in futsal leagues.

3. Specialized Futsal Goalkeeper Gloves (with grip suitable for a futsal ball)

First and foremost, the obvious function of a futsal glove is to enhance the grip. Equally important to some, they also protect the hands against high-velocity shots. Modern goalkeeper gloves for futsal are made using specialized latex. They are optimized for the unique texture and size of a futsal ball.

Futsal goalkeepers sometimes chose to wear no gloves at all, while those who do wear them frequently choose fingerless gloves. These gloves provide a better feel of the ball, which helps handle it more precisely (easier to throw precise passes with your hand if the gloves are fingerless). Also, being indoors, the temperatures can rise, so fingerless designs offer more ventilation. The nature of the game, with its smaller ball, results in less powerful shots than in soccer, for example, so there’s not really a need for full-finger protection. This design is way more comfortable, flexible, and suited for indoor play.

Besides grip, gloves can also provide wrist support with their built-in wrist support with adjustable straps, which can help prevent strains. Below, we showcased a good quality pair of futsal gloves, and if you would like to see more options, you can read our guide on futsal gloves here.

4. Knee Pads

These aren’t just pads. For some goalies, they’re the most trusted ally. When you play on indoor surfaces, there’s going to be some challenges. One of them is diving or falling when you defend your goal. And trust us, falling on your knees on an indoor court, feels way more unpleasant than if you played outside on green turf. So, knee pads, which are crafted from special cushioning materials, effectively dissipate the force from these impacts. They have ergonomic designs which ensure they wrap comfortably around the knee and offer protection without impeding movement. Remember that in futsal knee pads that are permitted should have a soft pliable nature. Don’t expect to wear roller-blade knee pads on the futsal court! Here are some proper knee pads that fit the futsal regulations and that goalkeepers wear during games:

5. Elbow Pads

Just like their counterparts for the knees, elbow pads are just as important to safeguard your elbows. Sometimes specially padded futsal jerseys offer enough protection for a goalie. But again, some players prefer to go the extra step and cover their elbows too. Fifa futsal rules don’t make elbow pads compulsory, but they don’t prohibit them, and so most goalkeepers wear this kind of added protection for their arms, because it’s the smart thing to do.

Many times a goalie will find themselves touching the ground, sometimes in awkward positions. So elbow pads can protect them from those times when they land on them. Modern elbow pads are lightweight and provide substantial protection. There are memory foam technology pads that are both super comfortable and have breathable mesh linings.

For instance, let’s take a look at these quality elbow pads that are suited for multiple indoor sports. They offer unparalleled protection and include two 9mm EVA pads for both the elbow and forearm. They are 40% thicker and more protective than what most other competitors offer. With an ergonomic shield pattern design they confer great impact coverage. The anti-slip features with two silicone strips make them stay in place regardless of the goalie’s movements and dives. For all the above reasons, futsal goalkeepers who want to protect themselves have been wearing such pads.

6. Shin Guards

In most official leagues, the rules of futsal say that wearing shinguards is compulsory. These accessories are of course borrowed from the world of soccer, but they are just as important in futsal. The main scope of shin guards is to act as a shield for one of the body’s most vulnerable areas. They are made of a hard outer shell and cushioned inner lining. They are built this way to absorb and distribute impact forces.

A goalie’s shins will come into contact with the ball many times but in some cases, it can even be an opponent’s foot. For times like this, it’s a great idea to wear shinguards in futsal, even as a goalkeeper. Because a goalie has more balls shot at them with great speed than any other player on the field. And it’s best to protect any vulnerable and exposed parts of their body. They are not compulsory, but they surely can protect them from possible impact injuries. Shin guards come with adjustable straps or sleeves to ensure they remain securely in place at all times.

Futsal goalies can use soccer shin guards (the ones with double straps), or they can go for more mobility and use flexible shin guards. For example, see these shin guards which are lightweight and flexible. They ensure maximum protection without sacrificing movement. With an ergonomic, low-profile design they are more comfortable to wear than their more bulky soccer counterparts. A futsal goalie can move more freely and naturally with those.

Silicone grip protection ensures they don’t slip and stay snug and fit for the whole duration of the game.

They are not the traditional plastic guards, but this kind of build makes them less cumbersome while at the same time still effectively shielding the shin from impacts. And since in futsal, the shoes that players wear are not cleats, the dangers of serious injury to shins are already much lower. Players rarely slide-tackle other players in futsal because you can’t slide on the court. So the need for solid plastic guards for the shins is unnecessary for a futsal goalkeeper. This makes these lightweight-design shins positively optimal for a goalie:

7. Compression Sleeves Or Socks

This is an optional piece of goalkeeping equipment for futsal goalkeepers. While these are not an absolute must, we have to mention their benefits. beyond their aesthetic appeal, compression garments play a role in improving performance and recovery. Compression gear applies consistent pressure on the muscles. By doing this, they improve blood circulation. This augmented blood flow helps faster muscle recovery, reduces fatigue, and minimizes the risk of muscle strains. Some people like them for comfort and support while goalkeeping. Below are two great choices for compression sleeves and socks that work great for futsal players:

8. Mouth Guard

Mouthguards are not mandatory in futsal, but some goalkeepers choose to use them for protection, which is always a good idea in any sport that has physical contact. They can shield against dental injuries that can result from accidental collisions with other players or from fast-moving balls. Also, they can prevent teeth from cutting the inner cheek or lips during sudden impacts. Most mouthguards are made from materials like silicone or EVA.

They can potentially improve a goalie’s performance by boosting his confidence in key moments. What we mean, is that with a mouth guard, a goalkeeper might feel more confident to make a defensive move that otherwise might have been more prudent to make. The more protected they are, potentially the more clutch defense plays they might be comfortable with.

It’s important to get a well-fitting mouthguard. There is a choice between custom-made options or adjustable boil-and-bite types from various sports stores.

A good example is this one from Safejawz. This mouthpiece offers a guaranteed perfect fit with its innovative Fluid Fit technology, which makes it so that the mouthguard molds seamlessly to the contour of the wearer’s teeth. In terms of protection, the JawSecure base is designed to shield the jaw during impacts. A standout feature is its ultra-slim profile, which reduces the common gag reflex triggered by mouthguards. This makes it a great mouthpiece for futsal goalkeepers that want to safeguard their teeth and jaw from potential impacts during the game.

9. Futsal shoes (with non-marking soles designed for indoor surfaces)

Futsal shoes are built for traction on indoor courts, support, and comfort. They have flat soles that offer the best grip on smooth indoor surfaces. Good shoes for a futsal goalie are lightweight so they don’t hinder his moves while providing good ball control at the same time. Goalkeepers need to move dynamically while maintaining stability.

As a goalkeeper, it’s important to choose a pair of shoes that are best fit for their personal preference and play style. Some things to consider are the fit, cushioning, ankle support, and overall quality of the sole (does it confer good traction?). Read more on futsal shoes here, if you’d like to find out more options. Otherwise, this is a good quality pair that many players wear on the court and praise highly:

10. Ankle Support Or Ankle Braces (for those who want added protection)

Futsal is a dynamic game and a goalkeeper has to adapt to very fast, agile, and sudden moves. Ankle supports or braces can be useful tools on the list, since they provide stability to the joints when doing those swift movements. They wrap around the ankle joint and lower the risk of sprains while they stabilize the foot. Advanced designs ensure maximum stability while keeping the natural range of motion unimpaired. While it is obviously an optional accessory for futsal goalies, more and more players prefer to avoid injury and go for it.

11. Protective Cup

Remember the time when a ball to the … cough … balls left you breathless and down on all fours? We do. Even if unintentional, a goalkeeper uses all his body to block the shot. Some of those shots might land in some very unwanted spots. So for male goalkeepers, a protective cup can act as a shield to protect their pride. Cups are designed ergonomically to fit comfortably, and made of a hard material (usually plastic or metal). They are capable of absorbing substantial impacts, and ensure that one of the most vulnerable areas of a goalkeeper stays safe and unharmed during the game. It is certainly an important piece of futsal goalkeeper equipment that should not be left out.

12. Sweatbands

Sweatbands can play a pivotal role in the performance of a futsal goalie. During a game goalkeepers constantly move, dive, adjust their position, and so on. This, plus the fact that the game is played indoors can lead to increased heat and sweatiness. A headband can prevent sweat from going into the eyes. This helps with ball tracking, because imagine they had to blink or wipe some sweat off the eyes right at the moment the opponents shoot a ball at their goal.

On the other hand, wristbands have two benefits for a goalie. First, they absorb sweat from the arms. If they get sweaty and it runs down the forearms, they can end up having sweaty palms and the ball can slip easily when they’re trying to save. Secondly, they can act as a quick solution to wipe away sweat from the face. In futsal every second counts, and if you sweat there’s no faster way than this to get it off your face. A wristband can be the best solution for fast momentary relief.

In essence, sweatbands might seem like a minor accessory. But for a futsal goalkeeper, they provide great functionality, which can lead to them being more focused, and at the top of their game.

13. Finger Tape

Occasionally futsal goalkeepers will use finger tape, and there are good reasons for it. By its nature, futsal requires goalies to make quick, reflexive saves. And in doing so, they put their fingers at risk of injury. Taping the fingers can provide added support to the joints, preventing this.

Goalies who have already suffered from injuries like this in the past are even more prone to such accidents. So the best way to prevent a reoccurrence and the hyperextension of the fingers when you catch or deflect the ball is to tape them. And to be honest, you don’t need to ever have a finger extension injury in the first place when you can be proactive and prevent it altogether from the get-go.

Some goalkeepers have even said that taping the fingers slightly improves their grip on the ball, especially if they are not using gloves or the gloves are fingerless.

And last but not least, knowing that their fingers have an added layer of protection can boost a goalkeeper’s confidence and make them play more fearless. And so, while not universal, using finger tape is a strategic choice that many futsal goalkeepers make to boost performance and prevent injury.

Concluding Thoughts On The Futsal Goalkeeper Gear

In futsal, the goalkeeper stands as a pivotal figure, often making the difference between victory and defeat. As we’ve journeyed through the comprehensive list of essential equipment for this crucial player role, it’s evident that each piece plays an important role. Some things such as fingerless gloves are evident. Some, such as tape for your fingers are more subtle. Regardless, every bit of equipment plays its specific purpose and can improve performance, ensure comfort, bolster confidence, or prevent injury.

A good set of gear does more than just protect the wearer. It empowers the goalkeeper to dive fearlessly and save difficult goals while staying focused on the game. Goalies that come to the court with great physical prep are two times more prepared if they have the proper gear. Because besides physical readiness, it is mental readiness that makes a goalkeeper great, and this is precisely what proper goalkeeper gear provides: a sense of mental security and poise. Knowing that regardless of the situation, you can dive for the ball without fear of injury, makes you ready and unhesitant.

Futsal will continue to evolve, and so too will the tools of the trade. But the principle will stay the same: equipped with the best, they can be at their best. And this rule can make or break a good goalkeeper.

So, regardless of the level of skill or the level at which they play futsal, prioritizing equipment will make it safer for any goalkeeper. And in doing so, this will also affect their performance. In the world of futsal, protection is as much a part of the game as the physical preparation that you bring to the court. In essence, the full mix of talent, training, and top-tier equipment allows a futsal goalkeeper to truly excel in their craft.

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