Football Girdles 101: Performance Gear Every Player Should Know
A football girdle is an undergarment that has pockets inside of it holding protective pads for your lower body. Often, there are 5 pads: 2 for your hips, 1 for your tailbone, and 2 thigh pads. A 7-pad girdle has an additional 2 pads for your knees. Some girdles contain a pocket for a protective cup, which supports the groin area. Girdles have become a standard safety feature for players at all levels. Integrated girdles come with pads sewn into the pockets, making them nonremovable. A non-integrated girdle allows you to remove the pads. Girdles are often made of polyester and spandex. They should be lightweight, stretchy, ventilated, and moisture wicking.
History of Football Girdles
The earliest form of football pants, dating back to the early 1880s, were typically made of canvas with rough pads sewn into the knees and thighs. In 2010, the National Football League (NFL) tested girdles during the preseason. Until then, some players used pads for their hip and knee areas underneath their pants. Many players were reluctant to switch to girdles because they were afraid it would slow them down. In 2013, the NFL required players to wear knee and thigh pads. As technology improved, more players started to wear girdles, partially because it’s an easier way to meet the mandate for knee and thigh pads. Some skilled players, like quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, wear compression pants that are tailored specifically for them for better freedom of movement.
Why Football Players Wear Girdles
Girdles are worn to help protect your hips, tailbone, knees, and thighs during a game or practice. The foam pads in girdles are designed to help minimize the effects of the contact that football players take to their lower body. A quality girdle, whether it’s integrated or not, shouldn’t slow you down. They’re made to improve your comfort on the football field, which can enhance your performance. There aren’t definitive studies that show girdles reduce injuries, but bruises to players’ knees, thighs, and hips often cause players to miss practice and games. Below are some guidelines for making sure your girdle is a good fit.
A girdle should be form fitting while moving with your body.
It should support your muscles, which can help increase your stamina.
It should eliminate the moisture from sweat, which will keep you more comfortable while you're playing. Look for waterproof, lightweight, ultra-durable pads.
How to Choose the Right Girdle
Getting the right size girdle is an important part of maximizing your performance. A poorly fitted girdle can reduce your mobility. Below is a guide for finding the right fit for your girdle.
Sizing: Figure out your waist and hip size and select a girdle that corresponds with those measurements. Use measuring tape to get an accurate read on your sizes.
Charts: Girdle brands usually have a chart that helps you pick the right size based on your measurements.
Fit: Your girdle shouldn’t be restrictive or intrusive. Make sure it feels comfortable and light when you try it on. Walk around to see how it performs.
Integrated: Integrated pads can be easier to maintain and use. You don’t have to place the pads in their pouches or remove them after games or worry about buying new pads. Some players believe they’re more stable, offering a higher level of protection.
Non-integrated: Non-integrated pads allow you to experiment with different pad sizes and brands. Some players, like linemen, might prefer larger pads while skilled players might want thinner pads that could offer added flexibility and mobility.
5-Pad Girdle: A 5-pad girdle gives you a choice for selecting the type of knee pads you want to use. Often, quarterbacks, receivers, and linemen opt for 5-pad girdles because they’re lighter.
7-Pad Girdle: A 7-pad girdle could be better for linemen and linebackers who want maximum protection without worrying about switching knee pads out.
Material: Choose material that’s form fitting, breathable, and moisture wicking while offering maximum protection.
Cushioning: Make sure the cushioning for the pads is adequate and comfortable. The pads are often made of closed cell foam padding bonded to moisture management fabric.
How to Wash Football Girdles
Before you wash your girdle, use a brush to remove any excess dirt. Always use a mild detergent, which could prevent unwanted discoloring, and avoid fabric softeners, which could damage the material. Below are steps to take for washing your girdle.
Remove the pads from the girdle.
Turn the girdle inside out to expose the dirtiest part of it for cleaning.
Place the girdle in a bag inside the washing machine. It’s best to wash your girdle separately from other items.
Use cold water on a gentle cycle to protect your girdle from getting beat up.
Air dry your girdle on a hanger to reduce the risk of shrinking.
You can also use a sports deodorant disinfectant to help eliminate odors if necessary. If there are noticeable stains, scrub some gentle detergent on them before washing them.
When to Replace a Football Girdle
Like any piece of equipment, girdles break down. Below are some reasons why you might need to replace your girdle.
Damage: Because football is a contact sport, there’s inevitable wear and tear over the course of a season for a girdle. If there’s visible damage, replace your girdle.
Bad Fit: Sometimes it’s impossible to know how a girdle will really feel until you use it in practice or in a game. Newer players often must experiment to find the right girdle.
Odor Retention: If your girdle retains that musky, sweaty odor from repeated use and you can’t get it to smell good, it’s time for a new one.