Goalies in lacrosse, soccer and ice hockey constantly are under pressure from offensive players who can shoot with speed and velocity. Goalies in lacrosse and hockey where several levels of protective equipment, but their thumbs are vulnerable. Soccer goalies don't where as much protection, but they are also at risk. Thumb wraps can be worn as part of the catching gloves to protect goalies in those sports.
Lacrosse Goalies
Lacrosse goalies are at risk because they have to stop hard shots and because they engage in battles with players who are trying to take the lacrosse ball away from them. This is often done with a slashing action that might knock the ball out of the stick. However, if this movement by the player lands on the goalie's hand or thumb, a broken thumb might be the result. A thumb guard goes underneath the standard lacrosse glove to prevent this injury.
Hockey Goalies
Hockey goalies wear a catching glove on one hand and a blocker -- often called a waffle board -- on the other. Inside the catching glove is a slot for the thumb that serves two purposes. The padding in the thumb area helps the goalie from sustaining any serious injury, and it also helps send the puck into the center of the glove, which makes it easier to catch.
Soccer Goalies
Soccer goalies often wear padded gloves that make it easier to catch the ball and make important saves, and it also protects the goaltenders hands from injuries. All the fingers have significant amounts of padding, but in many cases there is more padding around the thumb to protect it from serious injury.
Wearing the Lacrossse Thumb Wrap
In many cases, the lacrosse thumb wrap will look like a bowling wrist support brace. You wrap it around your hand twice until you have it in a comfortable position. Then you secure the wrap with two hooks to keep it in place during game action. You might want to readjust your thumb wrap whenever there is a break in the action.
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