My son is playing 9th grade football and insists he does not need to wear protection when he plays?

Question

I feel as though he could have a serious injury and should wear a "jock strap" to prevent an accident. I want grandchildren one day! Is he correct or am I?

Answer 1

on the other hand ...

here's an article that quotes some doctors as saying that athletic supporters serve no useful purpose:
http://www.slate.com/id/2123007/

Answer 2

I played Pee Wee, Jr High, High School, and college football....I would recommend the jock strap but not a cup. The only players I knew on the team that wore a cup were the running backs simply because sometimes playing RB you get hit when you are in ackward positions and not able to protect certain areas. In 12+ years of playing offensive line and linebacker I can recall only once getting a wayward foot in the groin. Weighing the chances of getting hit with wearing a cup (they are very uncomfortable) I, and the majority of the players I played with, choose not to wear one.

Answer 3

One good knee to the groin and he'll change his mind. If he doesn't, it means he suffered brain damage when he got kicked there! LOL You are correct- but a cup- not just a jock strap. A cup will reduce the effects of impact in that area much more than just a jock strap by itself. Jock straps are more for support. A cup is for protection.
Have a great day and hope he has a great season!!!

Answer 4

He definitely needs protection. Protection is there for a reason. Every single pad, cup, helmet is there for a reason. When professional football first started in the late 1800's, there were no helmets and padding, so on average 25-30 players DIED every year.

Anyway, your son should be wearing a cup. Even with a cup on, in high school I took a helmet right on my cup and "the area" was sore for several days. I hate to think what would have happened if I wasn't wearning one.

Answer 5

This is kind of hard to explain.

Basically, you can explain to him all you want to, but when it comes down to it, its his decision if he wants to wear one or not. After all, he isn't going to let you in the locker room to watch him change, so you'll never really know if he is wearing one or not. 9th grade uniforms don't fit all that well anyways. They aren't form fitting in the legs, so you won't really see the definition of a cup.

Also, you didn't mention if you go to the games. He might not have a starting role, which as a backup your playing time isn't much, which gives the attitude of why wear one.

Answer 6

My son plays football and he is in the 9th grade also. He has played football since he was in the third grade and all his coaches have said not to wear a cup.

Answer 7

Most football players don't wear cups once they get older. I played college football at UT chattanooga and not one player on the team wore a cup. It is hard to run with one. I also used to work for the titans as a assistant equipment manager and none of them wore cups either.

Answer 8

My grandson is 9 and plays football on a team and they insist on wearing the cup.

Answer 9

Yeah he defiantly needs to wear a cup. That's not safe at all. You are right moms are always right. He will realize this when he gets hit there once and he cant play for a few days!

Answer 10

I remember thinking this when I was a kid. Then it happened and to not where a cup was just plain dumb of me.

BTW, I have a 9 yr. old son who said the same thing. Until he got it right in the nuts and it changed his mind. So, just once should do the trick.

Answer 11

Have him watch the "Jacked Up!" videos that air right before Monday Night Football on ESPN. Then explain how an elbow, knee, foot, or helmet might find its way into the area.