I have noticed this gross and irritating act where football goalkeepers spit into their gloves whenever they are preparing to defend their goals.

Is it an unconscious spontaneous action or just one dirty habit developed by many of them unknowingly

I think this is unhygienic and very irritating cos I do not believe it helps hold the ball firmly rather it should make it slippery

I guess it's a superstitious belief that such an action will bring good luck to the team.

They spit because it helps to improve grip.
When I used to keep,I discovered another method.I pour coca-cola on my gloves.

@ thorpido

They spit because it helps to improve grip.

does it mean the gloves are slippery or what?

When I used to keep,I discovered another method.I pour coca-cola on my gloves.

thorpido: They spit because it helps to improve grip.
When I used to keep,I discovered another method.I pour coca-cola on my gloves.

The bolded sounds more plausible.

oloriooko:
I think this is unhygienic and very irritating cos I do not believe it helps hold the ball firmly rather it should make it slippery

Na u dey wash jersey after match?




On a serious note though, interesting observation
Anyways, from yahoo answers

to make them sticky...
depends on the type of glove you have. if you have something with good foam (3mm latxex and up) that AREN'T specifically for water, you want to wash them in luke warm water with mild soap (either laundry, dish or hand) and just rub that in until they look cleaner... squeeze them dry (don't wring them out) and let them air dry... i put them between a towel and walk on it.... it dries them and gets additional dirt out. you can then put a dry towel on an air vent and leaves the gloves on top of that... they will probably dry in 12 hours.

before playing put a bit of water (not so they are soaked through!) on them, [b]and spit as needed during the game. [/b]if your using a glove that is meant for wet conditions (IE aquatec or some similar model) soak them thouroughly about 15 minutes prior to game time, and put a good bit more on at half.

I will call eenyeama now....................., d guy no gri pik my call

Perhaps to reduce d impact of shots on their palms.

Go and ask FIFA

When has Nairaland turned to Google?
Why would one come on a forum as this and be asking irrelevant questions? SMH

What is the next story?

They usually spit on their gloves because they know that this mumu topic will make the front page!!

i think it's a reflex action.

Its to enhance friction and grip but more of superstition or conditioned reflex reaction.

Some keepers do it when the are about to go for aerial balls from the flanks like corners or crosses from the wings,they believe it helps to prevent the ball from slipping off their hands.some do it out of superstition,they saw other older goalies doing it when they were still learning and it stuck,same way some players will touch the grass and make a sign of the cross or touch their lips or some players and goalies who try to touch the ball and kiss it just before penalty kick.

Hmmm... U go fear na. Some question...

simply for grips

Its topics like this that make front page, while educating and interesting articles go unviewed. To seun; nairaland needs moderation rebranding!

Nairaland is turning into nigeria with 2 much favouritism and the leaders(mods) are corrupt!
OK. . . . . 3 years ban 4 me!. Starts crying!

they need to reduce the saliva in their mouth.

Let me the google the [url=answer]http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+do+goalkeepers+spit+in+their+gloves%3F[/url] for you

because they dont want to end up lying on the ground with their bodies rubbing the spit and mucus on the grass.... nice practice for hygiene

simply to increase grip. here is the basis: Leather has more friction when it is wet and vice versa. more friction means less probability of the ball slipping off but not like that Emenike's shot against CIV

Table Leg :

No ... You are wrong, moro...n!

I believe you can make your point without being insulting. I'llhave to report your comment to the mods.

#80million:
i think it's a reflex action.

#80million:
i think it's a reflex action.

#80million:
i think it's a reflex action.

reflex ke! Ok o!

Haaaaaa.....let me think.......erm.......erm...hmmm.................uhnnn
Dont know,dont care

Kingslaw: What is the next story?

Tonto Dikeh on the Loose

ignis: When has Nairaland turned to Google?
Why would one come on a forum as this and be asking irrelevant questions? SMH

U saw this as an irrelevant question?

When did u just this train of "irrelevant questions"?

U better thank God that this is one better off!

Yea apart from helping them have a firm grip,am thinking there could b a psychological thing attached..

me tinks fifa sed players shldnt sp!t 0n d fl0oR aga!n, x0 keepers sp!t 0n de!r gl0ves while d 0daz p0uR spit int0 d water bottle nd make 0daz dr!nk it