Goalkeeper Glove Backside Protrusions for Ball Deflection Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Goalkeepers face challenges in securely controlling the ball when fisting away, especially when the ball is out of reach or flying at height, leading to inadequate control and unpredictable deflection.

Innovation Solution

A goalkeeper glove with protrusions on the backside that extend away from the surface and deform perpendicular to their direction, enhancing friction and control by increasing the contact area and restoring force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a smooth backside surface is used on the glove, then the glove structure remains simple, but the friction and control when fisting away the ball is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball controlVSAvoidglove structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backside surface is segmented into multiple protrusions distributed across the surface. Each protrusion acts as an independent friction-enhancing element, collectively providing improved ball control during fisting away without requiring a completely redesigned glove structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions extend in a first direction away from the backside surface, adding a third dimension to the otherwise two-dimensional surface. This dimensional addition increases the contact area and friction with the ball during fisting away motions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If rigid protrusions are used on the backside, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the contact area with the ball is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact areaVSAvoidprotrusion rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions are designed with deformability, allowing them to dynamically adjust their shape and contact area based on the force applied during ball contact. This dynamic characteristic enables the protrusions to increase contact area with the ball while maintaining structural integrity through elastic recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the protrusions are selected to allow controlled deformation under ball contact forces. The protrusions can change their effective contact area parameter in response to applied load, optimizing the balance between contact area and structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The glove provides improved ball control by increasing friction and contact area through deformable protrusions, allowing better deflection and control during fisting away.

Implementation Method 1

the protrusions are adapted to deform in a second direction that includes a component perpendicular to the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12544646B2Glove, in particular goalkeeper glove

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 ADIDAS AG

AI summary

A glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove. The glove includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude from a backside of the glove and extend in a first direction away from the backside. The protrusions are adapted to deform in a second direction that includes a component perpendicular to the first direction.