Whether you are new to the game or have been playing for years, it’s essential you understand the risks of playing rugby. If you’re not willing to put your body on the line and risk potential injury, then perhaps it’s not the right sport for you. However, if you are ready to tackle beastly opposition and trust your instincts in defence, read on to discover everything you need to know about protective gear from Optimum Sport when playing rugby. The popularity of rugby is growing by the day; there are more men, women and even young people taking it up as a competitive sport. With this being said, understanding how to keep safe while playing this thrilling game is crucial. Rugby has its own set of rules when it comes to protective gear.
What is Protective Gear?
Protective gear is any type of clothing or equipment that minimizes risk of injury when playing sport. It is essential for every player to wear the appropriate amount of protective gear for their position. There are specially designed rugby boots to help protect your shins, ankle and foot. However, the most important piece of rugby equipment is your mouth guard. Your mouth guard is designed to protect your teeth and gums from rugby injuries, such as broken or knocked out teeth. It is essential that you have the correct mouth guard to ensure your safety while playing rugby.
Rugby Protective Tops
Rugby protective tops are designed to protect your upper body whilst playing rugby. The most common protective tops are made with Kevlar fabric, which is a lightweight, breathable material that is incredibly strong. Kevlar is designed to protect you from abrasions and small cuts whilst playing rugby. Kevlar rugby shirts are also able to repel liquid, so if you get tackled with the ball and fall into mud, the liquid will not be able to seep into the shirt. Kevlar rugby tops normally offer a high level of protection from impacts, but they do not protect your entire upper body. Protective rugby tops come in a wide variety of styles, colours, and designs. If you are looking for a rugby top to protect your upper body, you will need a rugby top that has a high level of Kevlar protection. You will also need to consider the style of top, as rugby tops come in long sleeve, short sleeve or sleeveless designs.
Headguards
Headguards are designed to protect your face and head from impacts. There are two main types of rugby headguards; full face shields and standard headgear. Full face shields are designed to protect your entire face from impacts, whereas standard headgear simply protects the top and back of your head. If you have a long fringe or hair that falls over your eyes, you will need a headguard that covers your face. Headguards come in a variety of colours and designs, for both men and women. Full face shield headguards also have a built-in mouth guard to protect your teeth and gums from impacts. If you play in a position that is likely to come into contact with other players, you must wear a headguard. Not only are you at risk of injury, but you could also be penalized for not wearing adequate protective gear. Full face shields are suitable for positions such as lock, prop and hooker. Full face shields provide complete protection to your head, while standard headgear simply covers the top and back of your head.
Shoulder Pads
Your shoulders are some of the most commonly injured body parts when playing rugby. Shoulder pads are designed to protect your shoulders from impacts. When you fall to the ground while playing rugby, your shoulders are at high risk of injury. Shoulder pads are made from lightweight fabric and come in a variety of styles, colours and designs for both men and women. You can also find shoulder pads that are made with Kevlar fabric for added protection. If you play in a position that is likely to come into contact with other players, you must wear shoulder pads. Shoulder pads protect your shoulders from impacts and abrasions. You will need to ensure that the shoulder pads you choose are designed for rugby.
Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are designed to protect your teeth and gums from impacts. Wearing a mouth guard while playing rugby is a great way to minimize the risk of injuries to your mouth and teeth. Simply having your mouth guard in your mouth will not protect you, however. You need to ensure that the mouth guard fits in your mouth without shifting or moving. Mouth guards come in a variety of colours and designs. Not only are you protecting your teeth, but you are also minimizing the risk of head or neck injuries. Mouth guards are mandatory for players in positions such as hooker, scrum-half, wing and full-back.
Arm Guards
Arm guards are designed to protect your forearms from impacts. These can be worn on both arms or just one, depending on the position you play. Arm guards come in a variety of styles, colours and designs for both men and women. You can also find arm guards made with Kevlar fabric for added protection. You will need to ensure that the arm guards you choose are specific to rugby as a sport.
Rugby Boots
Rugby boots are designed to protect your shins, ankles and foot. Your ankles are at a high risk of injury when playing rugby, which is why they need to be properly protected.
Rugby boots provide added protection to your shins, ankles and foot. Rugby boots are mandatory for players in positions such as scrum-half, fly-half and full-back, and help safe movement across otherwise uneven and difficult terrain.
Conclusion
Playing rugby is completely different from watching it. It’s important to remember that the game is full of risks, and wearing the appropriate protective gear can reduce some of these risks. A rugby top can only protect your upper body, whereas a full face shield headguard protects your entire face. There are many factors to consider when choosing your protective gear, and we hope you found this article informative.
