There are any number of sports that children can play starting at a young age. Football is one of the more popular sports out there and sees participation from youth all the way through the collegiate ranks each year.

Part of being the best player on the field means having the right equipment for the job. Every player should have the right equipment to ensure that they can deliver their best performance. For receivers and running backs in particular, gloves are one of the pieces of equipment that come up most for discussion. But are they really necessary?

Why are Gloves Necessary?

No matter where you look – younger ages, high school, college, and even professional levels – you will see players wearing gloves. There are more than a few reasons to wear them, all of which are meant to help improve each player’s game.

Let’s take a closer look at the various benefits offered to kids wearing football gloves before deciding whether or not they are right for kids.

Are Gloves Really Effective? Should Kids Wear Them?

There is the question of whether gloves are really effective. The truth of the matter is that, yes, the modern football glove is far more than the simple leather that they used to be. Where they used to be merely for slight protection, they now offer better grip.

That is because most football gloves are made with either neoprene or silicone on them. Think of it as a substance that is rubber-tacky in nature. It is somewhat sticky, though remains within compliance for just about any football league.

Given that modern football has moved in the direction of the passing game, it only goes to show how important gloves can be. For kids that play running back or wide receiver, it becomes a prerequisite to wear gloves when playing either position.

For Warmth

Though it is not the most prominent reason, there is no doubt that gloves can play a role when the weather turns. Football is generally played in the fall and winter months, which means having to contend with some colder weather. That includes rain, snow, and swirling winds.

Gloves are capable of providing some protection from the inclement weather. Think of it as a second layer of skin. Having gloves on can keep hands from getting cold, which means keeping them ready for any throw that might come their way.

There is another factor to consider. During particularly cold games, players can put handwarmers inside of their gloves, providing another measure of warmth against the cold. That said, it isn’t recommended to have handwarmers in your gloves during the game because they won’t fit quite as well, causing issues while making the catch.

For Protection

It is no secret that football involves a lot of contact. Players can take the most vicious of collisions, yes, but there is more to it than that. There are a plethora of smaller collisions that can wind up being just as painful.

Fingers and hands alike wind up getting scraped, stepped on, and caught in various pieces of equipment. With the help of gloves, players are able to give themselves an extra layer of protection from those nicks and dings that can wind up being so painful.

Sure, they might not be thick enough to handle a player stepping on it or getting bent in the wrong direction. But for minor cuts, turf burn, and all the other little things, gloves can wind up being a lot better than nothing at all.

To Make the Catch

Without a doubt, the most important part of being a receiver or running back is securing the ball. For both, it comes in the act of catching a pass. For running backs, it can not only be through catching, but being handed the ball as well. Both need to be able to ensure that the ball is secure in their grasp.

For that reason primarily, players like that wear gloves to ensure that the ball doesn’t slip out of their grasp when making the catch. There are any number of reasons why bare hands could wind up being detrimental for the purposes of catching. Sweat, moisture from the weather, and even cold hands can all contribute.

Even if your hands aren’t slick to the touch, the ball might be. There are so many others handling the ball throughout the game. That’s not even mentioning the fact that the weather could play a role in the moisture on the ball. There are just too many factors that can lead to a slick ball, leading to poor performance.

Players will wear gloves to ensure that none of those things are major factors. Any player knows that dropped passes and fumbles are the surest way to stall a drive, crush confidence, and lead to a loss.