Abstract: A rigid, molded unitary palm guard, with shock absorption and dissipation properties protects the palm and the wrist of the wearer when incorporated into the palm area of a glove for roller skating, in-line skating, skateboarding, snakeboarding and the like. The guard is generally rectangular in shape with rounded comers and edges and defines an arched palm portion and a wrist portion. The arch of the palm portion forms a space between the palm of the hand and the guard, and in conjunction with the width of the palm portion, enables impact protection for the side of the palm of the hand as well as for the central area of the palm and the wrist. The outermost edge of the palm portion defines a first thickness, the apex of the arch defines a second and greater thickness, and the outermost edge of the wrist portion defines a third thickness. The guard cups the palm area thereby enabling the arched palm portion to be impacted in the event of a fall.