How do goalie thumb guards enhance safety in lacrosse. What makes Guardian Gear’s thumb protection unique. Why are customized thumb guards crucial for preventing injuries in lacrosse goalies. How can lacrosse players benefit from specialized thumb protection across different skill levels.
The Importance of Thumb Protection in Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a fast-paced and physically demanding sport that puts players at risk of various injuries. For goalies, one of the most vulnerable areas is the thumb. The repeated impact of high-velocity shots can lead to serious thumb injuries, including fractures and ligament damage. This is where goalie thumb guards come into play, offering an additional layer of protection crucial for maintaining the longevity of a goalie’s career.
Why are thumbs particularly at risk for lacrosse goalies? The positioning of the hands when catching or deflecting shots exposes the thumbs to direct impact. Without proper protection, the force of a shot can easily bend the thumb backward or sideways, potentially causing severe damage. Goalie thumb guards are designed to absorb and distribute this impact, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
Guardian Gear: Pioneering Customized Thumb Protection
At the forefront of lacrosse goalie thumb protection is Guardian Gear, LLC, a company founded by Evan Ludin, an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist with over 24 years of experience. Guardian Gear specializes in creating personalized protective gear tailored to individual needs, with a particular focus on their innovative thumb guard inserts for lacrosse gloves.
What sets Guardian Gear apart in the field of sports protection? Their approach combines medical expertise with a deep understanding of the specific demands of lacrosse. Evan Ludin’s background in hand therapy allows him to design thumb guards that not only protect against impacts but also consider the biomechanics of hand movement during play. This unique perspective results in protection that doesn’t compromise a goalie’s performance.
The Patent-Pending Thumb Guard Insert
Guardian Gear’s thumb guard insert has gained significant recognition in the lacrosse community, earning it a patent-pending status. This innovative design addresses the specific vulnerabilities of a goalie’s thumb during play, offering superior protection compared to standard gloves alone.
How does the patent-pending design improve upon existing thumb protection? The insert is crafted to fit seamlessly within lacrosse gloves, providing targeted reinforcement to the thumb area without restricting movement. This allows goalies to maintain their dexterity and grip while benefiting from enhanced safety. The custom-fit nature of these inserts ensures that protection is optimized for each individual player’s hand shape and playing style.
Expanding Reach: From Local to National Protection
Since its inception, Guardian Gear has experienced significant growth, expanding its services beyond local communities. As of 2022, the company has implemented mail-order services, making their specialized thumb guards accessible to athletes across the United States. This expansion has seen Guardian Gear’s products reach 19 states and counting, demonstrating the widespread demand for high-quality, customized protective gear in the lacrosse community.
How has the availability of mail-order services impacted lacrosse players nationwide? This expansion has democratized access to top-tier thumb protection, allowing players from diverse geographical locations to benefit from Guardian Gear’s expertise. It has also raised awareness about the importance of specialized protective equipment, potentially reducing injury rates among lacrosse goalies across the country.
The Science Behind Effective Thumb Protection
Creating effective thumb protection for lacrosse goalies involves more than just adding padding to gloves. It requires a deep understanding of hand anatomy, biomechanics, and the specific forces at play during lacrosse games. Guardian Gear’s approach to thumb protection is rooted in scientific principles and medical knowledge.
What factors are considered when designing an effective thumb guard? Key considerations include:
- Impact absorption and distribution
- Flexibility to allow natural hand movements
- Durability to withstand repeated impacts
- Comfort to ensure prolonged use during games and practice
- Customization to fit individual hand shapes and sizes
By addressing these factors, Guardian Gear creates thumb guards that offer comprehensive protection without sacrificing the functionality essential for goalies to perform at their best.
The Role of Customization in Protective Gear
One of the key aspects of Guardian Gear’s approach is the emphasis on customization. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, custom-fitted thumb guards offer several advantages that can significantly impact a player’s safety and performance.
Why is customization crucial in protective sports gear? Customized equipment ensures:
- Optimal fit, reducing the risk of the guard shifting during play
- Targeted protection for individual weak points or previous injury sites
- Improved comfort, encouraging consistent use of protective gear
- Enhanced performance by allowing natural hand movements
- Personalized feel, potentially boosting player confidence
By offering personalized protective solutions, Guardian Gear addresses the unique needs of each athlete, providing a level of protection that generic equipment simply cannot match.
Beyond Lacrosse: Applications in Other Sports
While Guardian Gear’s thumb guards have gained prominence in the lacrosse community, the principles behind their design have potential applications in other sports as well. Many athletic activities involve risks to the hands and thumbs, creating opportunities for specialized protection.
In which other sports could customized thumb protection be beneficial? Consider the following:
- Baseball and softball catchers
- Hockey goalies
- Football receivers and defensive backs
- Basketball players
- Martial artists
Each of these sports presents unique challenges and risks to the hands and thumbs. By applying the principles developed for lacrosse thumb guards, athletes in various disciplines could benefit from enhanced protection tailored to their specific needs.
The Future of Sports Protection Technology
As sports medicine and protective gear technology continue to advance, the future of thumb and hand protection in athletics looks promising. Companies like Guardian Gear are at the forefront of this evolution, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of safety and performance.
What developments can we expect in sports protection technology? Some potential advancements include:
- Integration of smart materials that adapt to impact forces
- Use of 3D printing for even more precise customization
- Incorporation of biometric sensors to track hand health and performance
- Development of lighter, stronger materials for improved comfort and protection
- Advanced impact simulation technologies for optimized design
These innovations have the potential to revolutionize not just thumb protection, but sports safety equipment across all disciplines. As research continues and technology improves, athletes can look forward to gear that offers unprecedented levels of protection without compromising performance.
The Role of Athlete Feedback in Product Development
A crucial aspect of advancing sports protection technology is the incorporation of athlete feedback into the design process. Companies like Guardian Gear rely heavily on input from players at all levels to refine and improve their products.
How does athlete feedback contribute to better protective gear? By closely collaborating with players, manufacturers can:
- Identify pain points and areas for improvement in existing designs
- Understand the real-world performance of protective equipment
- Develop solutions that address specific concerns of athletes
- Create gear that integrates seamlessly into players’ existing equipment
- Ensure that protective equipment meets the evolving needs of the sport
This feedback loop between athletes and manufacturers is essential for creating protective gear that not only meets safety standards but also enhances player performance and comfort.
Educational Initiatives in Sports Safety
Beyond product development, companies like Guardian Gear play a crucial role in educating athletes, coaches, and parents about the importance of proper protective equipment. This educational aspect is vital for promoting a culture of safety in sports and ensuring that protective gear is used correctly and consistently.
What educational initiatives can improve sports safety awareness? Consider the following approaches:
- Workshops and seminars for coaches and trainers
- Online resources and video tutorials on proper gear usage
- Collaboration with sports organizations to develop safety guidelines
- School outreach programs to educate young athletes
- Partnerships with professional athletes to promote safety awareness
By combining product innovation with comprehensive education, the sports community can work towards reducing injury rates and fostering a safer playing environment for athletes at all levels.
The Impact of Proper Protection on Player Confidence
While the primary goal of protective gear like thumb guards is to prevent injuries, there’s an additional psychological benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked. When athletes feel adequately protected, it can significantly boost their confidence on the field.
How does enhanced protection affect player performance? Consider these potential benefits:
- Reduced fear of injury, allowing players to focus fully on the game
- Increased willingness to make challenging plays
- Improved overall comfort, leading to better concentration
- Greater longevity in the sport due to reduced injury rates
- Enhanced trust in equipment, promoting more consistent performance
By providing players with reliable, customized protection, companies like Guardian Gear contribute not just to physical safety but also to the mental aspects of athletic performance. This holistic approach to player well-being is crucial for nurturing talent and promoting long-term engagement in sports.
Guardian Gear | Lacrosse Injury Protection
Guardian Gear, LLC is a therapist owned practice which focuses on personalized protective guard fabrication to individual specific needs. Evan Ludin has been an Occupational Therapist / Certified Hand Therapist for over 24 years. His practice has been expanding since 2010. Evan focuses on your personalized treatment sessions rather than a group atmosphere to optimize your functional return to activities of daily living (ADL’s). Evan’s splinting skills are highly regarded and requested by many Sports Medicine / Orthopedists / Plastic Surgeons from the NY tri-state area. Evan Ludin is also well established in the Lacrosse community, as he is widely known for his thumb guard glove inserts which assist in preventing thumb fractures. His LAX thumb guard insert is now officially Patent Pending. Since the summer of 2022, Evan has been able to make athletes safe across the country with expanded mail-order services. His patent pending thumb guards are now in 19 states and counting.
FOR HAND AND UPPER EXTREMITY REHABILITATION and MEDICAL SPLINTING, please visit his other office / website in Hauppauge NY
Professional Physical Therapy Hand Therapy
call 631-983-4982
800 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
After completing his undergraduate work at SUNY Oneonta, Evan graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s of Science and Masters in Occupational Therapy at Touro College in 1998. He took his board certification at the earliest time possible to become a Certified Hand Therapist in 2003.
Evan specialized in Orthopedic Hand Rehabilitation early-on in his career, while working at Stony Brook Medicine where he also serve as Department Supervisor. He has since retired from Stony Brook to serve his local community Hand Therapy practice and Guardian Gear clientele. He has also worked for several NYC and Long Island based practices including The Long Island Hand to Shoulder Center and NYU Rusk Institute.
Since 1998, Evan has worked tirelessly as an Occupational Therapist / Certified Hand Therapist constantly developing and advancing orthopedic rehabilitation techniques in addition to medical splinting and athletic fracture bracing. He specializes in rehabilitation of the hand and elbow, dynamic and static splinting, and fracture bracing. Evan draws upon the importance and understanding of radiographic healing and tissue equilibrium when considering all stages of rehabilitation and splinting. These principles also guide his patient’s readiness for return to play at all levels of competitive sports and Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). Orthopedic splinting serves as a great option for casting and prefabricated braces / supports when patients wish to enjoy travel or time at the beach or pool.
In the athletic world, Evan has been referred to as the “athletes and professional’s choice,” serving professional, collegiate and grade school scholar athletes from Montauk to Manhattan.
In recent years, his clients have traveled from the tri-state area. Evan’s office location and office hours make appointment times optimal for your convenience. Since the summer of 2022, Evan has been able to make athletes safe across the country with expanded mail-order services. His patent pending thumb guards are now in 14 states and counting.
In the Orthopedic and Plastic Hand Surgery world, Evan has been the choice of many Physician’s named by Castle and Connolly’s “TOP DOCS” for over 24 years. He also specialized in post-op trauma rehabilitation, taking on the most complex of cases. With a progressive approach, he advances the rehabilitation of his clients safely and efficiently.
In the world of academia, Evan serves as Academic Professor for Stony Brook University at Stony Brook and Southampton Graduate Masters Programs. His course educates third year graduate students in the field of hand therapy and its crossover into all practice areas of Occupational Therapy.
Get in touch to learn more about the ways in which he can help you.
Evoshield Catcher’s Thumb Guard | Source for Sports
Evoshield Catcher’s Thumb Guard | Source for Sports
Home
Baseball & Softball Equipment
Catcher’s Gear And Equipment
Catcher’s Accessories
Evoshield Catcher’s Thumb Guard
Return Policy
30-Day Return Policy
We understand it is difficult to determine how a product is going to fit when looking at it on a computer screen or mobile device. Because of this, we’ve simplified our return policy making it easier for you to return or exchange products you’ve bought from SourceforSports.ca and it starts with our no-questions asked 30-Day Return Policy.
Clearance items are considered FINAL SALE and are not eligible for return unless defective.
If you are unsatisfied with your purchase in any way, you can return unused items in new condition within 30 days after purchase for a refund less the cost of shipping.
Read the entire Return Policy here.
Overview
You’re seen as the captain on the field. As the one who is always expected to make the big play, and you can’t afford to be held back or stopped by injuries, especially to your hands. With the EvoShield Catcher’s Thumb Guard, you’ll have customized protection that allows you to make every play while protecting your current injuries and preventing future injuries, including Gameskeeper’s Thumb and bone bruises. Designed by the nation’s top professional athletic trainers, the EvoShield Catcher’s Thumb Guard was created to keep you in the game, withstanding even the toughest conditions.
Model # WTV4000
0 reviews
${ product.price }
${ product.price }
${ product.compare_at_price }
You save
${ product.savings }
4135094566929341350945702061
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
Go to Cart
Continue Shopping
Overview
You’re seen as the captain on the field.
As the one who is always expected to make the big play, and you can’t afford to be held back or stopped by injuries, especially to your hands. With the EvoShield Catcher’s Thumb Guard, you’ll have customized protection that allows you to make every play while protecting your current injuries and preventing future injuries, including Gameskeeper’s Thumb and bone bruises. Designed by the nation’s top professional athletic trainers, the EvoShield Catcher’s Thumb Guard was created to keep you in the game, withstanding even the toughest conditions.
- Disperses impact and protects better than traditional foam and plastic gear
- Thin Gel-To-Shell Shield allows for complete comfort and flexibility
- Designed to provide a comfortable, custom fit for protection inside any glove
- Includes: (1) Protective Catcher’s Thumb Shield
Customer Reviews
0 reviews
Sign in to write a review
Write a review
Name
Rating
Title
Content
(${1500 – review.
review_body.length})
characters remaining
${error}
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
Your review has been submitted.
Payment & Security
Apple PayGoogle PayMastercardShop PayVisa
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
SAFE CHECKOUTGUARANTEED
Shopping from outside Canada?
Unfortunately, due to vendor restrictions we cannot ship outside of Canada
There are no items in your cart.
We’re Sorry!
We don’t have the quantity you’ve requested. Please enter another quantity.
We’re Sorry!
We can’t find your postal code, please contact support
We’re Sorry!
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
Items will be shipped from the closest store with inventory.
Note: orders may be fulfilled from multiple locations.
Your cart contains items that are ineligible for return.
Clearance items are FINAL SALE and are not eligible for return.
Ship to Home
Items to be shipped from ${ shipment.store_info.store_name }, ${ shipment.store_info.city }, ${
shipment.store_info.province }
Estimated arrival date: ${ shipment.ship_estimate_days }
Estimated arrival date unknown
Pick this item up from ${ shipment.store_info.store_name },
${shipment.store_info.city},
${shipment.store_info.province}
${ shipment.shipping_cost_money }
Free
${ item.product_title }
${ option.name }: ${ option.value }
quantity
quantity
or
Not Available To Ship
or
${ item.
available_quantity } Available
Clearance
Ineligible for Return
Free${ item.price }
Subtotal (${ item.quantity })
${ item.final_line_price }
Order Summary
Postal Code:*
Estimated shipping to: ${ postal_code }
Subtotal
Free
${ subtotal_money }
Estimated Shipping
Free
${ shipping_money }
Shipping Credit
-${ shipping_credit_money }
Estimated Total
Free
${ total }
attributes[locale]
We don’t have the quantity you’ve requested. Please enter another quantity.
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
Taxes will be calculated at checkout
Return Policy
Qualifying sales are covered by our 30-day return policy
(learn more).
Payment & Security
Apple PayGoogle PayMastercardShop PayVisa
Your payment information is processed securely.
We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
SAFE CHECKOUTGUARANTEED
Return Policy
30-Day Return Policy
We understand it is difficult to determine how a product is going to fit when looking at it on a computer screen or mobile device. Because of this, we’ve simplified our return policy making it easier for you to return or exchange products you’ve bought from SourceforSports.ca and it starts with our no-questions asked 30-Day Return Policy.
Clearance items are considered FINAL SALE and are not eligible for return unless defective.
If you are unsatisfied with your purchase in any way, you can return unused items in new condition within 30 days after purchase for a refund less the cost of shipping.
Read the entire Return Policy here.
Earn Shipping Credits with orders over $100*. Learn more.
Hang Out with us Socially!
Need Help?
Email: support@sourceforsports.
com
© 2023 Source for Sports
Apple PayGoogle PayMastercardShop PayVisa
Source for Sports is a registered trademark of Sports Distributors of Canada Limited.
Do you need protection for fingers in goalkeeper gloves
For a young goalkeeper, protecting fingers and eliminating the possibility of injury is critical, so you should use the highest quality ammunition. Often, athletes doubt whether it is worth buying goalkeeper gloves with additional inserts, because experienced world-class stars often refuse them.
When protection is needed
At the beginning of a sporting career, protectors should still be used, regardless of one’s views on the situation. In this case, even eminent football players recognize the importance of such equipment. To refuse such a supplement will allow the absence of bone weakness and a tendency to various injuries. Given the small gaming experience, when any mistake can lead to injury, it is advisable to protect your health.
The principle of operation of all types of protection is theoretically similar: strong elastic calipers are used in gloves to avoid deflection of the fingers in the opposite direction. As a result, only natural directions remain. A separate protection option is the reference grid, which cannot be removed even partially, but the player is given more freedom of action.
Proven systems
Finger protection gloves from uhlsport are widely used in sports environments. The brand is popular all over the world due to the combination of quality and favorable price of the produced equipment. Among the popular models stand out:
- SupportFrame (SF) have a honeycomb structure that provides excellent finger control even in inexpensive and children’s products;
- SupportFrame+ have SF features but have plastic on the thumb as an add-on;
- BionikFrame was designed for the player’s muscular system to complement and strengthen it;
- BionikFrame+ is a complete copy of the Bionik series, but with a thumb insert for better ball grip and throw;
9The 0017 BionikXChange stands out for its lightness and flexibility with next-generation inserts, and manufacturers have made it possible to customize individual flexibility control.
Choose the most convenient option for you, taking into account personal preferences, skills, game features.
Insert function
Major league players rarely use complete finger guard gloves due to reduced ball feel. The games of beginners in the professional career and the amateur segment are characterized by a greater risk of injury due to weaker technique and simplified techniques. Even one minor mistake when receiving the ball can cause fractures or other injuries.
Protection is achieved with special inserts made of high-strength plastic. The segments are inserted from the back of the fingers to provide maximum wrist support. Experienced players partially remove the solid elements, leaving only the necessary. In a professional football championship, it is almost impossible to see models with support, because the technique makes it easy to avoid undesirable consequences.
football game equipment
Azteca / About the author
We have a lot of useful and interesting information for professional athletes and amateurs!
Other entries Azteca
Finger and wrist taping for football goalkeepers
Sports medicine provides solutions to reduce the risk of injury to an athlete.
One of the latest innovations is taping. The tape itself is a special adhesive tape made of fabric. Those who are not familiar with it can call it a band-aid. The main task of the tape is to fix or support the joints. Many goalkeepers wrap their fingers and wrist before putting on goalie gloves to increase the resistance of muscles, ligaments, and joints to injury.
Why do goalkeepers wrap their fingers
It is the duty of the goalkeeper to keep his goal intact. There is no pity on the part of the attackers for the goalkeeper: they try to inflict not only accurate, but also very strong blows. When repelling strong blows, the goalkeeper, even the most trained, may experience unpleasant feelings in the wrist joint. Cases in which it is advised to wrap the hands of a football player may be:
- Transition from youth to adult football;
- Participation of another goalkeeper in training and games with an older age.
Taping the goalkeeper’s hands is necessary for health safety, as the load increases.
The use of tape allows you to avoid the appearance of pain, but also gives confidence to a young football player.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN OUR PRODUCTS
Add to cart
How to apply the tape on the hand
It is not a problem to buy a tape. They are sold in most sporting goods stores. When buying, it is important to pay attention to some properties of adhesive tape:
- Easy to unwind, jerking is not allowed;
- Bond quickly and hold under pressure;
- Easy to tear without scissors;
- Maintain elasticity and density for better muscle fixation.
Applying the tape to the desired parts of the body is best entrusted to a trained specialist who knows the basics of the anatomy and structure of the human musculoskeletal system. At the moment, 1200 taping methods have already been developed. The task of the tape is to mechanically fix and support a specific area of the human body.
