Although they aren’t magic – you still need talent and training – sticky football gloves can give you an edge. If you know how to make football gloves sticky, catching the football will be much easier. Not too long ago, NFL wide receivers applied Stick-Um not only to their hands, but often to their arms, legs, and uniforms. However, Stick-Um, pine tar, and other many other adhesives are no longer “legal."

The dirt and grime that get on your gloves during a game can cause them to lose stickiness. Washing your gloves can refresh their tackiness. However, you can’t throw your gloves in the washing machine in the middle of a game. Whether you are a wide receiver, lineman, or quarterback, you can follow these tips on how to make football gloves sticky without breaking the rules.

Spit Method

You may have been told that it takes blood, sweat, and tears to succeed. However, you may also need to give some spit, especially during a game, to make football gloves sticky. This method works if the gloves are dried completely after. Spit on your gloves, then wipe your hands on your pads to remove excess moisture. If you prefer, you can use a squirt of water from your water bottle. You can easily repeat this during a game to keep your gloves sticky for every pass.

Wipey Method

Before each game, take a wipe, either a Clorox wipe or baby wipe, and wipe down your gloves. The easiest way to do this it to put on your gloves, roll-up a wipe, and rub it between your gloved-palms. Make sure to get the fingers. Then rub your gloves together and you should begin to feel them getting grippier.

Sun-Dry Method

Lay your gloves out to dry in the sun. Wide receiver, lineman, and quarterback gloves are hard to keep sticky if they are sweaty. Putting them in the sun to dry will ensure you have sticky football gloves on game day.

Keep an Extra Pair for Game Day

Keep two pairs of gloves, one for game day and one for practices. Saving your gloves for prime time will help their stickiness last longer.

Adhesives (as in Don’t)

The majority of youth football leagues don’t allow adhesives such as Stick-Um or pine tar. Be sure to review your league’s rules on what substances are allowed to keep gloves sticky. If the substance isn’t mentioned in the rule book, you may be allowed to use it, so be sure to get clarification.

Experiment with these methods to see which one works best for you. That way you are sure to have sticky football gloves on game day.