Whether you’re getting ready to head out onto the soccer field yourself, or your child is gearing up to do so, you may find yourself wondering something quite simple but apparently hotly debated: Do soccer players wear cups?
Fair question, after all, safety always comes first. However, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
In this post, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of using this protective gear, discuss alternatives, and even talk about what soccer players normally wear under their shorts.
Why Don’t Most Professional Soccer Players Wear Cups?
If you watch a professional soccer game, most of the players are not wearing cups. Why is that? It’s a question of trade-offs.
Soccer is a game involving agility, speed, and precision. Each and every piece of gear worn by a player affects his performance.
From the shin guards to the cleats, everything is carefully weighed for the impact on mobility. Professional players place a higher value on freedom of movement over protection, such as in the groin area.
These can be constrictive and uncomfortable to wear, ultimately impeding one’s ability to run, quickly change direction, or kick with precision.
For most professionals, the risk associated with injury in this area does not outweigh the performance sacrifice involved.
But there is one glaring exception: goalkeepers.
Do Goalkeepers Wear Cups?
YES!
If there’s any position on the soccer field where wearing a cup makes sense, it’s in goal. Goalkeepers are way more likely to face high-impact collisions with the ball and sometimes other players at dangerous speeds.
The job of a goalkeeper is to throw their body in front of the ball, from wherever it’s coming.
This often includes diving and sliding, as well as spreading out to block shots. A poorly timed kick or a fast-moving ball could easily find its way onto a sensitive area, thus making a cup a good idea for extra protection.
While not all goalkeepers wear cups, it’s more common than outfield players.
Do Youth Soccer Players Wear Cups?
For younger players, the conversation shifts slightly to one of often wearing cups in games. The youth players, especially boys, do wear cups during these games for their peace of mind and protection.
Why the difference? It’s simple: younger athletes are still learning the game. Their reactions might be slower, and their ability to dodge a ball or avoid a collision is not as refined as a pro’s. Plus, kids are generally less tolerant of pain.
The parents too, would feel better with their child having that layer of protection, despite the risk during soccer in that area being relatively low.
In girls’ youth soccer, cups are hardly ever worn. The risk of injury to female players in this area is much lower, and the equipment itself is not normally designed with female athletes in mind.
SEE ALSO | How Long is a High School Soccer Game?
The Pros and Cons of Wearing a Cup in Soccer
Whether you’re deciding for yourself or your child, it is important you know the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a cup in soccer.
Pros
- Protection from Impact: A cup can help shield sensitive areas from the force of a soccer ball or an accidental kick.
- Peace of Mind: For youth players (and their parents), wearing a cup can provide a sense of security, allowing them to focus on the game.
- Recommended by Experts: Organized groups such as the Urology Care Foundation do recommend cups during contact sports, which include soccer.
Cons
- Comfort Issues: If the cup is fitted poorly, it can be very uncomfortable, too distracting, and can reduce performance in the field.
- Restricted Movement: A cup can interfere with running, jumping, and kicking—movements that are central to soccer.
- Low Risk of Serious Injury: For most players, the likelihood of a severe groin injury is minimal, making the trade-off unnecessary.
When Wearing a Cup Might Make Sense
If you’re not sure about wearing a cup, here are a few scenarios where it might be a good idea:
- Goalies: As I mentioned earlier, goalkeepers are in a higher-risk position and may appreciate the extra protection.
- Younger Players: For children under the age of 10, still mastering the game, and with lower pain thresholds, a cup may be a confidence booster.
- During Training: If training includes drilling plays that involve close contact with other players or scrimmaging, a cup may be a good idea.
However, most argue that wearing a cup or not is down to personal preference and comfort.
How to Choose a Comfortable Cup
If you or your child chooses to wear a cup, be sure to make it comfortable and properly fitted.
- Size Matters: Cups come in various sizes for youth and adult players. Make sure you get the correct size.
- Get Quality: A well-designed, breathable cup will be much more comfortable than a low-budget, inflexible one.
- Try Before You Play: Wear the cup during practice to be sure it doesn’t hinder your movement or cause discomfort.
Alternatives to Wearing a Cup
For players that don’t want to wear a cup, but would still like protection, there are a couple of alternatives:
- Compression Shorts with Padding: Some compression wear has built-in groin padding, a middle ground between comfort and protection.
- Mouthguards: While they don’t protect the groin, mouthguards can protect against dental injuries, a common concern in youth soccer.
- Extra Coverage Shin Guards: Some shin guards have extended protection to areas such as knees and thighs.
SEE ALSO | Is My Child Too Small to Play Soccer? The Truth About Size
What do Soccer Players Wear Under Their Shorts?
While we are discussing what soccer players wear, you might wonder what soccer players wear under their shorts. Well, compression shorts.
Compression shorts are tight, supportive, and designed to reduce muscle fatigue and chafing. It helps players in colder weather to stay warm.
Other players wear sliding shorts, which have extra padding around the hips and thighs for added protection when they are tackled or slide.
Key Takeaways
Do soccer players wear cups? The answer depends on player’s role, age, and personal choice: Professional outfield players generally do not wear cups because the risk of injury doesn’t outweigh the potential impact on performance.
Goalkeepers are more likely to wear cups due to their higher exposure to high-speed impacts.
