Protective Cup and and Testicular Injury

Although this may be an old posting, it deserves comment since it deals with an important subject that many parents, coaches, and players tend to ignore. I agree with Dan that boys should wear a supporter and cup when playing contact sports. Not every hit to the groin will result in an injury and trip to the doctor, however even a slight tap to genitals causes extreme pain. If a player gets hit, he may have to be helped off the field and sit out a couple of plays until the pain subsides. He's not helping his team by having to remain on the sidelines. Also it's rather embarassing to be hit during a game since about all you can do is double over while holding your groin. There is no hiding what happened.

My two boys play sports, football, baseball and soccer, for youth league teams and at the midlle school level. A supporter and cup are mandatory for practice and games. The coaches check using the "tap tap" drill. I feel better knowing that they are protected. And, yes they have both been hit and were able to keep playing. So they know the benefit of wearing a supporter and cup.

As a parent or coach you should insist that a supporter and cup be required equipment in youth sports.