Jersey? Check. Helmet? Check. Athletic cup or pelvic protector? If you’re a parent of an athlete, that last one may be a head-scratcher.
An athletic cup, also called a “jock,” is a device that protects a male player’s penis and testicles from injuries during high-contact sports. A pelvic protector, sometimes called a “jill,” has a similar design to protect a female player’s vulva. Both devices shift impacts away from sensitive groin structures to the sturdier pelvic bone, guarding against hits and kicks or collisions with a ball, puck, stick or player’s helmet.
They’re often overlooked — many athletes choose not to use them. But even if your child only goes in for a few minutes of play, don’t skip the protection. Just like a helmet, an athletic cup or pelvic protector is a critical piece of gear in contact sports.
For high-contact sports, even the smallest players can benefit from the added protection. When your child is on the field, they’ll have run-ins with a loose ball, a hockey or lacrosse stick — or another player. Those collisions can put your child at risk of a hit to the crotch.
Sports where groin protection is necessary, and possibly required, include: baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, soccer and softball. So, how young is too young to start wearing one? As soon as your child starts playing high-impact sports they should wear appropriate groin protection. That said, the risk increases with age.
