Professional American Football Equipment: 7 Basic Steps To Ease Your Life
Football is a tough contact sport. Players take hits every time they go out on the field. Some blows are more damaging than others. The best way to safeguard your body is to properly suit up before engaging in play.
Gloves
The highlight of football is spiking the ball to score the point. To catch the ball thrown by your teammate and have a secure grip on it while running at top speeds, you need a good pair of gloves. There are many varieties of soccer gloves which can also be used in football, but according to Elite Sport, the neo black takes the top spot for 2020. Its moisture-wicking capability with its exceptional grip helped to snag that top placement.
Helmets
Hits to the head are commonplace. Yes, many players are able to recover quickly, but others have not been so lucky. Head injuries can permanently take you out of the game. According to the CDC, take into account head size and coverage. Don’t opt for a helmet that sits too high on the head. Also, try it on with the hairstyle you intend to have when playing. This will allow for a more accurate fitting.
Mouth Guards
These may seem insignificant, but are required for every player. Have you ever suffered a chipped tooth? Highly painful and inconvenient. The odds of players suffering this is increased for obvious reasons. It also helps to absorb shocks from hits to the chin or face. For players who wear metal braces, mouth guards are even more important to avoid anything from shallow cuts to more severe lacerations.
Shoulder Pads
This represents one of the most important pieces of equipment worn by footballers. Not only are the shoulders and collar bones protected, but more importantly, so is the chest. Vital organs like the heart and lungs need to be guarded.
Girdles
If you thought girdles were only for women, think again. This represents an important piece of clothing for footballers, especially those who play in positions that get excessive contact, such as running backs. Girdles protect the thigh, hip, and tailbone through additional padding. Without this, a direct hit could cause hip displacement or a fractured tailbone. Neither of these would be pleasant to experience.
Knee Pads
Running, jumping, and crouching, knees take constant hits during the game. These joints and ligaments need protection. The extra padding provides a cushion to the knee during the game. Overstretching, which can easily occur during play, will quickly lead to a sprain. Sudden movements, often called for to outmaneuver other players, if not executed smoothly can lead to torn cartilage. To avoid these, just wear your knee pads.
Cleats
For professional footballers, no other footwear is acceptable. You cannot afford to be slipping and sliding on the grassy field. This puts you in danger and also risks bodily damage to other players in your vicinity. Falls can lead to limb fractures and dislocations, but also spinal injuries and head trauma.
Ensure that you have all of these well suited before going out to play. Take care of your body well to avoid injury and to help you enjoy the game more fully.