How to Choose the Right Goalkeeper Glove Cut: Flat, Roll and Negative

Choosing the correct cut of a goalkeeper glove is very important. The right cut helps determine the amount of room in the fingers and backhand adding to the overall comfort and control of the goalkeeper glove. Goalkeepers with wide or slender hands will require different cuts.  The basic goalie glove cuts are flat palm, roll finger, negative cut with potential hybrid variations. Flat and Roll cuts are becoming less available as the industry popularity has moved toward Hybrid and Negative cuts. Research shows this is what the Pro goalkeepers prefer.  As hybrid cuts become more popular, brands such as KPR Goalkeeping are pushing the limits to design, test and bring to market new and more innovative cuts that fit the hand as best as possible. The YouTube video below is one we produced a few years ago, so features some older style gloves but the cuts (Flat, Roll, Negative and Hybrid) are all covered: 

Flat Palm:

Flat palm cut for goalkeepers with a wider hand. Flat palm gloves will have stitching on the outside edges of the palm providing the widest finger pad for the save. The Backhand pattern will also have visible stitching and material. Flat palms traditionally give the widest room in the wrist closure; overall width and body of the glove; and finger tip area.  Not all Flat cuts are super wide. Reusch and Uhlsport use flat cuts as the base but add features to shape their goalie glove to be more ergonomic. A flat palm glove that fits correctly will not have extra material making the fit sloppy.

Examples of a Flat Palm Glove: 

Elite Sport Warrior - Youth Goalie Glove example. There are many others to choose from Here

Reusch Attrakt Grip - A budget friendly option for goalkeepers of all talent levels. 

Reusch Attrakt Infinity Finger Support - The Infinity latex is a populat turf and indoor option for a wide range of goalkeepers. 

Roll Finger:
Roll finger gloves can offer more latex to ball contact based on the shape of the glove for the right goalkeeper.  In a roll finger goalkeeper glove the palm latex is stitched up at the backhand creating the roll feature.  If the whole the finger is a roll the goalie glove will have seams at the base of the middle and index finger.  No matter which way the save twists and turn the latex the goalkeeper will have latex on the ball.  

Variations:
West Coast Raptor Typhoon - Wrap/Negative hybrid at the top of the fingers with a flat cut at the base of the fingers. 

True Roll Finger:
Elite Sport Black Real - True roll cut with seam at base of middle and ring finger. 
 

Negative Cut:

This cut is ideal for goalkeepers with slender hands, or goalkeepers who prefer a tighter fitting glove. Negative Cut goalkeeper gloves are the tightest of all the cuts. The cut is characterized by having the palm and backhand seam stitched inside pulling the material closer to the hand creating a noticeably tighter feel.  If the glove is stitched correctly you will not feel the stitching on the inside.   

West Coast Goalkeeping Aero Range - This glove range features a true negative cut for a snug fit and finish on the hand. No wasted space!

One Glove OG1 Midnight - More and more brands are switching to true negative cuts as that is what their Pro athletes prefer, such as Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United in the EPL. This is his signature glove meeting his exacting standards. 

Variations:
Uhlsport Half Negative - Extremely popular negative cut that also incorporates some roll characteristics. This is the most popular cut in the Uhlsport range of goalkeeper gloves. 

Elite Sport Supreme - One of the most popular gloves ever sold on Keeperstop.com 

Reusch Evolution Negative Cuts -  Shown here on the Pure Contact Range of gloves from Reusch. More of a hybrid of multiple cuts. 

Choosing the best goalkeeper glove is very subjective.  There are many decisions that go into it and the cut is very important when refining your search.  When a goalie glove fits a goalkeeper correctly it will last longer and be more comfortable.  

Questions To Ask Yourself:

Is my palm wide, fingers thick, with a big wrist and forearm?   

Do I have long fingers and Narrow palm?

Then contact keeperstop.com with any questions regarding sizing and fit on the phone at 860904.7679 or via email [email protected]