Most players prefer not to use gloves when playing Volleyball as it affects the way they handle the ball. They feel they can handle the ball more accurately when there is direct contact of their palm with it. But gloves can be invaluable to learners, and players with varying skill levels find wearing gloves useful during practice. So, one must carefully consider how much a glove will expedite their learning process before purchasing it. Gloves are crucial for avoiding injuries and bruises during practice.
Open-palm gloves
Some players prefer using open-palm gloves to practice as they do not affect how they usually handle the ball. Sometimes they use them instead of finger splints to protect their fingers from injuries or to shield a finger that is already hurt. A few gloves are made to be used instead of resorting to buddy taping.
Mishitting a Volleyball will cause tremendous pain to the players if their hands are not taped together. So, those who do not want to go through the complex process of taping their fingers can use open-palm gloves. Also, they offer better grip and flexibility when playing Volleyball than other types of gloves but provide less protection against floor burns. The best advantage of using these gloves is that the players do not lose the feel of the ball when touching it; this is essential as the players need to feel the ball’s surface to direct it the way they want.
Volleyball Setter Gloves are incredible Training Aids
Setter gloves are designed to help the players learn the correct finger position to implement a technique. Though specifically designed for setters, these gloves can be used by other players, too. Setter gloves are usually padded, offering excellent protection from finger and palm injuries; beginners generally tend to be hurt while trying to master new techniques or perfect a known one.
Besides, the players get used to holding their fingers in a specific way when they train with gloves; this helps them remember the correct finger placement when playing in tournaments. They also help the players hold their hands flat/provide stability when setting or passing a ball. So, the right gloves can help them concentrate on their practice without worrying about anything else. Setter gloves cannot be worn during official matches but are helpful training aids for all Volleyball players.
Gloves to improve Spikes
Spike gloves aid the players in improving their spikes and serves. A few players feel that these gloves help them enhance their spike velocity and accuracy, as they help in developing an aggressive wrist snap. Some even believe they assist their topspin. But these, like setter gloves, can only be used in practice matches and are more suitable for beginners than other players.
Palm Protectors with Forearm Sleeves
They are best for improving one’s digging and passing skills as they are heavily padded and protect the players when they entwine their palms to dig with their forearms or fists. The thumb-hole design prevents the skin from chaffing and is convenient. The drawback of these is that the players cannot feel the ball and may have trouble directing the ball in such a way as to maximize the probability of scoring points. Of course, if the players want, they can wear open-palm gloves with arm sleeves instead of choosing to wear these palm protectors.
Compression Gloves
Compression gloves are helpful for recovering from injuries, limiting pain, and improving endurance but are not suitable for practicing various hitting, setting, passing, and digging techniques. They merely act as great compressors and are highly beneficial for players who have arthritis. Playing Volleyball when people have arthritis may be challenging, but proper treatment can help them come out on top; therefore, compression gloves are an excellent aid for these sports enthusiasts.
Can Wrist Guards be used instead of gloves?
Players whose priority is to safeguard their wrists from repeated impact by hitting the ball or sliding on the floor prefer using wrist guards to gloves. But those who focus more on improving their skills opt to use gloves. Also, wrist guards prevent the players’ hands from bending backward too much and help them slide when they fall instead of landing hard. Some act as compressors and aid the players in recovering rapidly. But wrist guards cannot be used instead of gloves as they restrict the wrists’ mobility; this is not ideal for learning new techniques.
Choosing the best Volleyball gloves
First and foremost, the gloves must be lightweight, durable, and comfortable to use. The gloves must be secure and not too big or small; gloves with wrist straps are usually preferred for this purpose. They should have moisture-wicking characteristics and, if not, at least allow necessary ventilation so that the players’ hands, palms, or fingers do not become slick with sweat. Next, a type of gloves can be chosen depending on the purpose for which they are being bought.
If the players want to reinforce the strength of their fingers but do not want to tape them together, open-palm gloves will be a great aid. When choosing them, the buyers must check whether the gloves are tight enough to brace their fingers but should not restrict motion. If the reason for purchase is to improve one’s playing style and techniques, setter gloves are a better option. They should protect the hands from blisters, bruises, and scrapes.
People who require versatile gloves should search for gloves that can be used for practice as well as workouts/exercises but must ensure that they are breathable enough to be comfortable during long training sessions. Another important thing to check is if the gloves are easy to pull on and take off (some bulky gloves are nightmares!); no one likes to waste precious minutes trying to put on gloves.
Gloves are necessary when kids play Volleyball as their hands tend to be much softer than adults and prone to be easily injured. Severe injuries will deter the kids from pursuing their dreams of becoming seasoned Volleyball players, and so purchasing various protective gear to help them during their initial training and practice is vital. After all, only a few kids are ambitious enough to stick to their dreams, however hard it might be.
Most experienced players stop using gloves as they no longer require gloves to help them train. Professionals generally avoid wearing gloves, so there is no room to accuse them of palming the ball. Gloves can be worn during official matches only with the approval of the official referee, but still, players do not want to wear them as they do not affect their performance in any way. So why bother wearing gloves? After all, they have played long enough to know how to avoid hand injuries.
So, beginners benefit the most from using gloves during practice; it is crucial to find the right pair for beginners so they can experiment with their playing style, develop a unique one, and unlock their full potential. But players must check whether training gloves benefit them before making a purchase, as some players feel that gloves interfere with the ball’s movement and cause them to make errors. So, it is critical that people buy the gloves that best suit their needs and purpose.