When Boys Should Start to Wear a Protective Athletic Cup (2024)

  • BRANDYN RUSSELL

Little league baseball players have a lot to remember before their game: jersey, mitt, helmet, water bottle, and their protective athletic cup. No parent wants to see their son injured on the field. But, it is hard to know at what age young boys should start wearing a cup. Most youth baseball leagues recommend that cups be worn at every age group, however, once your son reaches elementary school, the athletic cup often is required equipment.


In an article by the American Urological Association, Dr. Anthony Atala, a pediatric urologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina advised that a boy should wear an athletic supporter as soon as he is involved in any kind of activity that could lead to groin injury. "It is extremely important for parents to understand how serious these injuries can be and how they can help their child if they suffer testicular trauma. We don't often discuss this, but we should " so that parents can help prevent injury and understand when to seek medical treatment if it does occur," said Dr. Atala.


Dr. Jay Berger, a pediatrician with ProHEALTH Pediatrics, suggests that boys age five and younger probably don't need athletic supporters because the velocity of their pucks or balls isn't strong enough to cause injury to the testicl*s. But once a boy hits age seven, or engages in more vigorous competition, he should wear one. “There are two types -- one providing support for comfort, and one adding a cup for more protection. For basketball or skiing, a cup probably isn't necessary, but for games during which the testicl*s accidentally could be hit with a ball or kicked by a foot, a cup is a must.” Berger says.

Cite:

https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family/boys-and-athletic-supporters-what-age-which-sports-1.8543816
https://www.newswise.com/articles/boys-sports-testicular-injury-when-to-wear-a-cup

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I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of sports safety, particularly the importance of protective gear for young athletes. My expertise extends to the use of athletic cups in youth sports, drawing on information from reputable sources and experts in the field.

The provided article discusses the crucial aspect of when young boys should start wearing athletic cups in sports like little league baseball. To further support and expand on the concepts discussed in the article, let's break down the key points:

  1. Importance of Athletic Cups: The article emphasizes the importance of athletic cups in preventing testicular injuries among young boys involved in sports. Testicular trauma can be serious, and parents are urged to be proactive in protecting their children during physical activities.

  2. Recommended Age for Athletic Cup Use: Dr. Anthony Atala, a pediatric urologist, advises that boys should start wearing an athletic supporter as soon as they engage in activities that could lead to groin injury. While Dr. Jay Berger suggests that boys aged five and younger may not require athletic supporters, once a boy hits age seven or engages in more vigorous competition, wearing an athletic cup becomes essential.

  3. Types of Athletic Supporters: The article mentions two types of athletic supporters—one providing support for comfort and another adding a cup for additional protection. The choice between these types depends on the nature of the sport and the potential for testicular injury. For sports like basketball or skiing, a cup may not be necessary, but for activities where accidental impact to the testicl*s is likely, a cup is recommended.

  4. Expert Opinions: The article cites experts such as Dr. Anthony Atala and Dr. Jay Berger, both specialists in pediatrics and urology. These experts provide valuable insights into the significance of athletic cups and the appropriate age for their use.

  5. Parental Awareness and Prevention: Dr. Atala stresses the importance of parental understanding of the seriousness of testicular injuries and how parents can play a role in preventing and addressing such injuries. This involves not only the use of protective gear but also being informed about when to seek medical treatment.

For more in-depth information, you can refer to the sources cited in the article:

In conclusion, the article provides valuable guidance on the age at which young boys should start wearing athletic cups, backed by expert opinions from medical professionals specializing in pediatrics and urology.

When Boys Should Start to Wear a Protective Athletic Cup (2024)

FAQs

When Boys Should Start to Wear a Protective Athletic Cup? ›

At what age do kids need an athletic cup? “A child needs to wear a cup as soon as they start playing contact sports,” advises Slocombe. “For some kids, that's as early as age 5.” In addition to offering much-needed protection, starting early helps kids learn to think of the devices as essential sports equipment.

Should boys wear a cup in Little League? ›

Boys should wear an athletic supporter or compression shorts under their sweatpants and baseball pants. If your son is a catcher, it is mandatory he wear a protection cup. Giving your Little Leaguers time to practice with the gear they'll be using in their games will get them comfortable and ready to play.

What sports do boys wear cups? ›

If your son plays a contact sport – like football, soccer, baseball, basketball or hockey – he should wear a cup made from a hard plastic or metal as soon as he is big enough to fit in one. Usually cups have small holes allowing for airflow, and may have a gel material inside for comfort.

How do boys wear a protective cup? ›

To wear correctly:

First put on your NuttyBuddy® Lock compression shorts. Then put on your NuttyBuddy® jock over the top of the shorts. Place the NuttyBuddy® athletic cup between compression shorts and jock. This will allow it to "float" with the movement of your body.

What size cup for an 8 year old? ›

Size is determined by age and body mass. Boys aged five and up, reaching 4 feet 6 inches and 80 pounds should wear a cup 1 3/4 inches in depth. Youths age 11 and up, reaching 5 feet 6 inches and 110 pounds should wear a cup 2 inches in depth.

What age do boys need to wear a cup? ›

“I would say that younger than 10 is probably unnecessary,” she said. Labella recommends talking to your son when he's 9 or 10 to explain why it's important to protect the testicl*s, but the risk is small before puberty hits. But don't wait for your son to show signs of puberty before making him wear the cup.

When should a boy start wearing a jockstrap? ›

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.

Should my son wear a cup for football? ›

These risks are heightened once boys hit puberty and their testicl*s grow in size and the scrotum drops. “But even if your son plays sports and is under the typical puberty age, it's a good idea to get him in the habit of wearing a cup,” said Dr. Sumfest. Some athletes forgo use of a cup due to its restrictive nature.

Can you wear an athletic cup all day? ›

Most athletes often ask if they should keep it on all day to keep their parts in place or if they should remove it when they are done playing sports etc. It's not that you can't wear an athletic cup or a jockstrap all day, it's just that why would you want to wear it all day.

Do boys wear cups in tee ball? ›

Male catchers must wear a protective supporter and cup at all times. Except when runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted. This applies only to Little League (Majors), Minor League, and Tee Ball.

Do NFL guys wear cups? ›

A cup is not required as an item of equipment in football. It's optional, just like rib guards or knee stockings. Every player is solely responsible for determining whether or not they require a cup; the referee will not check whether or not a player is wearing one before a match.

Do NFL players wear a cup? ›

The last player on the Eagles to use a cup was center Steve Everitt in ... 1999. And what about today, in the very season that, by some accounts, is The Cup's 100-year anniversary? "If I asked the players today if they wanted to wear a cup, the guys would look at me like I was crazy," says Hatfield.

What is the difference between a jockstrap and a cup? ›

They are pretty much the same as they are both jockstraps and are worn the same way, the only difference really is the jock that will be fitted or have room for a cup which is a hard pouch in a pouch at the front that you either put your manhood in or it sits in the pouch to do the same thing.

What cup size should a 11 year old have? ›

Bra sizes
Clothes Sizing AgeBra size
Age 9N/A
Age 10 - 1130A /30B
Age 12-1332A / 32B
Age 14-1534A/34B

Is an A cup big for a 13 year old? ›

Any size is normal as long as you stay healthy. There really isn't a most common size because at 13, there is such a large range of sizes based on people's development. Some girls are just about done with puberty by 13 and some haven't even started yet.

How do you know when to go up a cup size? ›

If there are gaps between the cup and your breast, you're wearing a cup size too big. If you find your breast spilling over the top, side, or bottom of the cup, you most likely need to go up in size. You also need to consider a larger cup size if the underwire or bottom of the bra is resting on your breasts.

Do baseball boys wear cups? ›

Some do and some don't. Catchers nearly always wear cups. Also 3rd baseman and 1st basem*n often do because they get hard shots with little time to react. Also when a first baseman stretches to receive a throw he is vulnerable to a bad bounce that might strike him where he doesn't want it to.

Do male baseball players wear cups? ›

The catcher will also have protective equipment, including a helmet, facemask, throat guard, chest-protector, protective cup (this is NOT optional) and shin guards. All other male players should consider wearing a protective cup, especially those in contact with the ball and sliding opponents often (i.e infielders).

Do boys wear a cup in basketball? ›

Although basketball players do not typically wear athletic cups, they are still at risk of experiencing groin injuries. To provide adequate support and protection to this sensitive area, basketball players should consider wearing Diamond MMA Compression Briefs or Performance Short Briefs.

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