Junior handball trousers

Goalkeeper trousers: protecting hips and knees

In handball, the goalkeeper makes quick movements, jumps and falls to the side. A goalkeeper's trousers come with padding placed at impact points: the hips, which hit the ground during side dives, and often the knees. For a child, this protection is reassuring and helps them be brave enough to go to the ground. Make sure the padding sits well on the hip bone and the kneecap once the trousers are put on: if they're too big, the trousers shift the protection and it becomes useless. Some models on the page are designed for football and work just as well for handball goalkeepers.

Training trousers: for warming up and travelling

The player on the field wears trousers during warm-ups, on the bench or while travelling in a minibus. They take them off before the kick-off. Look for a soft fabric that doesn’t trap sweat, an elasticated waistband with a cord, and tight or zipped ankles to take them off without removing shoes. The training trousers on the page often match the colours of the tracksuits from the same range.

Choosing the right length as the child grows

A pair of trousers can become too short long before they become too tight. Measure the child's inside leg and compare it to the brand's size guide instead of relying on their age. For training trousers, a hem of a few centimetres that breaks at the shoe is still acceptable and will give them a few months' leeway. However, for goalkeeper trousers, the right size is essential: the padding must stay in place.

Kempa, Uhlsport, Hummel, Erima, Jako, Craft: six brands for kids

• Kempa: their child goalkeeper trousers, black and padded, are one of the key models on the page.
• Uhlsport: the German brand for goalkeepers offers two models for child goalkeepers, the Standard and the Anatomic Kevlar.
• Hummel: the child training trousers Core 2.0, Lead 2.0 and Blaze Pro, to match with jackets from the Danish brand.
• Erima: a simple child goalkeeper trouser designed for regular training.
• Jako: the Profi goalkeeper trousers, in child sizes.
• Craft: the Swedish brand offers a goalkeeper trouser in its Progress range.

Maintaining padded trousers

The padding on a goalkeeper's trousers keeps its shape if the trousers are washed at a low temperature and dried flat, away from a radiator. Close any Velcro before washing to avoid damaging the fabric. After each session, take them out of the bag without delay: damp padding left in a bag retains smells.

With the trousers: other junior pages

• The goalkeeper often wears a long-sleeved top, available among the junior handball shirts.
• A legging, chosen from the child baselayers, can be worn under slightly loose trousers.
• The field player will then play in a junior short.
• The child socks protect the lower leg.
• The training trousers can be completed with a jacket from the junior jackets and tracksuits.
• For the top, junior sweatshirts and junior t-shirts and polos make a great pair.

End-of-line child trousers

A junior goalkeeper trouser rarely lasts more than a season or two, as the child grows. To find one at a lower price, check the junior clearance page. The junior sales and the junior Black Friday also help lower the price of some children's clothing.

Frequently asked questions

Is a goalkeeper trouser mandatory for young players?

No, a goalkeeper can play in shorts. However, padded trousers reduce burns and bruises during dives, and many coaches recommend them as soon as the child takes up the position. In a very warm gym, some goalkeepers prefer to wear shorts with knee pads.

Can a football goalkeeper trouser be used for handball?

Yes, most football goalkeeper trousers protect the same areas and work indoors. Just make sure it doesn’t restrict movement, which is very common in handball. A slightly stretchy fabric helps in this case.

Do you need knee pads in addition to the trousers?

If the trousers don’t have knee protection, soft knee pads are a good idea for a goalkeeper who frequently goes to the ground. They should be worn under the trousers, so they need to be thin. Test the whole outfit before the first match.

Should you choose straight or tapered trousers for warming up?

Tapered trousers won’t drag on the ground and won’t hinder warm-up runs. Straight trousers, which are wider, are easier to put on over shoes. For a child, zipped hems combine both advantages.

How can you tell if the padding is in the right place?

Ask the child to get into the goalkeeper position, with legs apart and bent. The padding should cover the side of the hip and the front of the knee without shifting. If it slides, the size is too big.