Abstract: A protective pad including a rigid shell bounded by a perimeter and a gasket engaging the perimeter so that forces applied to the shell are dissipated through the gasket before transferring to a wearer of the protective pad. The rigid shell cooperates with the gasket to provide a trampoline effect or two way spring. This effectively absorbs shock from forces generated by the opponent, so that the wearer and a colliding opponent both encounter reduced forces. The shell can bow outwardly to form a cavity above the wearer when the gasket is placed adjacent the wearer, which can prevent the rigid shell from bottoming out against the wearer upon impact. The protective pad can be implemented in a thumb protector including a stopper disposed between adjacent rigid shells covering proximal and distal portions of a digit. The stopper can engage the shells and effectively prevent hyperextension of the digit.