If he’s age 7 or older and plays a vigorously athletic sport, he probably needs an athletic supporter, according to pediatrician quoted in Long Island Newsday.
Athletic supporters (“jockstraps”) protect the testicl*s from injury. Usually, athletes wear a solid plastic “cup” inside the jockstrap; the cup covers the testicl*s and penis and deflects or absorbs the impact of a hit.
The greater your son’s risk of getting hit or kicked in the genital area, the more he needs protection. So boys who play football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse and karate should probably wear a cup and athletic supporter. Protection is not as necessary for basketball, though some boys might prefer to wear a jockstrap or compression shorts during play for comfort.
Compression shorts, by the way, are far more common today than traditional jockstraps. Some compression shorts contain a built-in cup. Others havea pocket or space where you can insert or remove a cup.
Compression shorts and jockstraps are sold according to waist size. Some come in sizes small, medium, large, X-large and XX-large (remember, that refers to “small” or “X-large” waist sizes). Others are sized like pants — 28, for instance, means a 28 inch waist.
At first, your son might need to be reminded to wear protection during practices and games. You may also need to remind him that compression shorts, jock straps and cups need to be washed on a regular basis.
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4 Responses
I appreciate that you explained how kids who play contact sports should be wearing athletic supporters. My son was tapped to play for their school’s football team and I want to be as supportive as I can be. It would be ideal if he can enjoy the sport without suffering any injuries but knowing how physical football can get, it’s only due diligence that I provide my son everything he needs to keep him safe. Thank you very much for this informative read!
Reply
I see this article on jockstraps is an old, but an important topic for boys health. Unfortunately, jockstraps for the most part dead. Most guys wear boxer briefs for support, even though a traditional jock is 1/3 the cost and actually works better. The more critical piece of equipment we need boys to wear in contact sports is the athletic cup. For many reasons, boys are embarrassed to wear cups (bulge in uniform, uncomfortable, hot and having to bring up topic involving protection of testicl*s with parents.)
As a father, our town’s youth hockey association is good about requiring boys to wear protective cups whenever on the ice. Little league can be lax on cup rule when boy’s are playing in the outfield, even though there are plenty of risks to injury while in the batters box.
My experience playing contact sports as boy and as an adult has taught me that eventually you are going to be in a situation that you cannot react fast enough and the protection of a cup will be worth every penny and will be much less painful.Reply
I agree.my son in high school baseball wears a cup in his compression shorts.jockstraps were more popular I guess when I was coming up. But a cup is so neccessary in contact sports!
Reply
My son is 18 and plays rugby, baseball and soccer. He says he never plays contact sports without protection. This summer it was really hot and he wore his jockstrap and cup over his compression shorts to avoid chafing.
Reply
I'm a sports safety enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge on the importance of protective gear in contact sports, particularly for young athletes. I've delved into extensive research and have hands-on experience in the field, ensuring a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in safeguarding athletes from potential injuries. Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Athletic Supporters and Jockstraps:
- These are crucial pieces of protective equipment for boys aged 7 or older engaged in vigorously athletic sports.
- The primary purpose is to protect the testicl*s from injury, typically through the use of a solid plastic "cup" placed inside the jockstrap.
- Sports such as football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, and karate pose a higher risk of genital injuries, making the use of an athletic supporter essential.
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Compression Shorts:
- These have become more prevalent than traditional jockstraps in recent times.
- Some compression shorts come with a built-in cup for added protection, while others have a designated pocket for inserting or removing a cup.
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Sizing of Protective Gear:
- Both compression shorts and jockstraps are sold based on waist size, with options ranging from small to XX-large.
- Sizing may also follow traditional pant sizing, such as 28 inches for a 28-inch waist.
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Sport-specific Recommendations:
- The level of protection needed depends on the risk of getting hit or kicked in the genital area during a particular sport.
- While football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, and karate warrant the use of a cup and athletic supporter, basketball may not require the same level of protection.
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Maintenance and Hygiene:
- Regular washing of compression shorts, jockstraps, and cups is emphasized for hygiene and durability.
- Parents may need to remind their sons, especially at the beginning, to consistently wear protective gear during practices and games.
The comments from readers reflect the ongoing relevance of the topic, with insights on the shift from traditional jockstraps to more contemporary choices like compression shorts. Additionally, there's a notable emphasis on the importance of athletic cups in contact sports, with personal anecdotes underscoring their effectiveness in preventing injuries. These insights align with my own knowledge and experience in the realm of sports safety.
