Step-by-Step: How To Put On Football Pants for Proper Football Pant Wear

What are football pants? Football pants are specialized athletic pants designed for the sport of football, offering protection and comfort. How do you put on football pants? Putting on football pants involves a sequence of steps to ensure a secure and comfortable fit, starting with selecting the correct size and then carefully pulling them on, adjusting any fasteners, and finally adding any necessary protective padding. This guide will walk you through the entire process of wearing football pants correctly, ensuring you are ready for the field.

Deciphering Football Pant Sizing and Fitting

Getting your football pant sizing right is the first crucial step. If your pants are too tight, they can restrict movement. If they are too loose, they might fall down during play or provide less effective protection.

Key Considerations for Football Pant Fitting:

Waist Measurement: Use a tape measure to find the circumference of your natural waistline. This is usually the narrowest part of your torso.
Inseam Measurement: Measure from the crotch of your leg down to where you want the pants to end. For football, this is often just above the knee or mid-calf, depending on the pant style and if you wear knee pads separately.
Hip Measurement: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks.
Thigh Measurement: Measure around the widest part of your thigh.

Most manufacturers provide a size chart based on these measurements. Always refer to the specific brand’s sizing guide, as football pant fitting can vary between companies. Youth football pants often have slightly different sizing conventions than adult sizes, so pay close attention to age or height recommendations for younger players.

Preparing Your Football Gear

Before you even think about putting on the pants, proper football gear preparation is essential. This ensures all your equipment is ready and in good condition.

Essential Gear for Football Pant Wear:

Football Pants: The main item. Ensure they are clean and free of any rips or tears.
Football Belt: A sturdy belt is crucial for keeping your pants securely in place. Many football pants have belt loops.
Cleats: Football shoes designed for traction on the field.
Socks: Tall, comfortable socks that can cover your shin guards if you wear them.
Undergarments: Moisture-wicking underwear can enhance comfort.
Protective Padding: This is a vital part of protective football gear. Many football pants come with integrated padding for the hips, thighs, and tailbone. If yours don’t, you’ll need to acquire separate padded inserts.

The Step-by-Step Process of Wearing Football Pants

Now, let’s get down to the actual process of sports pant dressing for football. This methodical approach ensures everything is secured correctly.

Step 1: Put on Your Base Layers and Socks

Start by putting on any undergarments you prefer. Then, pull on your football socks. If you use separate shin guards or knee pads, slide them on now, ensuring they are positioned comfortably and correctly on your shins and knees, respectively. Your socks should be pulled up high enough to cover the tops of your shin guards, if applicable.

Step 2: Carefully Slide On the Football Pants

Take your football pants and identify the front and back. They typically have a waistband with a fly front. Step into the pants, one leg at a time, as you would with regular pants. Pull them up towards your waist.

For Padded Football Pants: If your pants have integrated padding, make sure the padding stays in place as you pull the pants on. Sometimes, the padding can shift. Gently adjust them with your hands to ensure they are snug against your body in the correct locations (hips, thighs, tailbone).

Step 3: Adjust for Proper Fit

Once the pants are pulled up, assess the fit.

Waist Comfort: The waistband should feel snug but not constricting. If the pants have a drawstring, tighten it to help secure the waist.
Leg Length: Ensure the pants are the correct length. If they are too long and pooling around your ankles, this can be a tripping hazard. If they are too short, they might not provide adequate coverage or accommodate knee pads.
Padding Placement: Double-check that all integrated padding is aligned with your body parts. For example, hip pads should be over your hip bones, and thigh pads should cover the quadriceps and hamstrings.

Step 4: Secure the Waist with a Belt

This is a critical step in football uniform assembly. Thread your football belt through the belt loops of your pants. Pull the belt snug to ensure the pants remain firmly in place throughout the game. A well-secured belt prevents the pants from sagging and provides a stable base for your jersey.

Step 5: Tuck in Your Jersey

Tuck your football jersey firmly into your pants. A common practice is the “military tuck” or “shirt stay tuck,” where you tuck the jersey tightly to prevent it from coming untucked easily during play. This keeps your uniform looking neat and ensures no loose fabric interferes with your movements or the movements of others.

Step 6: Final Check and Movement Test

Before heading to the field, perform a final check.

Movement: Bend your knees, squat, and do a few light movements. Ensure there are no restrictions in your range of motion. The football pant fitting should allow for agility.
Padding Security: Give a gentle tug on the padding to ensure it feels secure.
Overall Comfort: Are there any pinching or rubbing spots? Adjust as needed.

Special Considerations for Youth Football Pants

When dealing with youth football pants, there are a few extra points to keep in mind to ensure the safety and comfort of young athletes.

Ensuring a Good Fit for Young Players:

Growth Room: While you don’t want pants that are too big, consider that young players grow quickly. A little bit of extra room can extend the life of the pants.
Ease of Dressing: For younger children, it’s helpful if the pants are relatively easy for them to put on and take off themselves, especially during practices and games.
Padding: Youth football often requires specific types of protective football gear, including padded pants. Ensure the padding is substantial enough for the level of play.
Durability: Children can be hard on their gear. Look for pants made from durable materials that can withstand frequent washing and tough play.

Integrating Protective Gear into Football Pant Wear

Padded football pants are designed to be a primary layer of protection. However, sometimes additional padding is used.

Types of Additional Padding:

Thigh Guards: Some players prefer thicker, removable thigh guards placed inside pant pockets.
Knee Pads: While many modern football pants have integrated knee padding, some players opt for separate, more robust knee pads.
Hip and Tailbone Pads: If your pants don’t have sufficient padding, separate padded shorts or a padded girdle can be worn underneath.

When adding extra padding, ensure it fits smoothly within the football pants without bunching or causing discomfort. The goal is to enhance protection without hindering movement. This careful consideration is part of a comprehensive football gear preparation strategy.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Wearing Football Pants

Even with a step-by-step guide, mistakes can happen. Here are some common issues to steer clear of:

Avoiding Mistakes in Football Pant Wear:

Ill-fitting Pants: As discussed, incorrect football pant sizing is a major issue. Too tight or too loose will impact performance and safety.
Sloppy Belt Usage: Not tightening the belt enough is a frequent oversight. This can lead to pants sliding down, exposing the lower back and potentially causing injuries.
Misplaced Padding: If padding shifts inside the pants, it offers less protection. Ensure it stays in place during the initial fitting and adjust as needed.
Ignoring Manufacturer Instructions: Different brands might have specific care or wear instructions. Always check these.
Wearing Non-Sport-Specific Undergarments: Cotton undergarments can hold moisture and cause chafing. Moisture-wicking materials are far superior for athletic wear.
Forgetting the Tuck: A loose jersey can be a distraction and even a safety hazard. A proper tuck is part of the football uniform assembly that shouldn’t be skipped.

Maintaining Your Football Pants

Proper care ensures your protective football gear lasts and remains effective.

Tips for Football Pant Maintenance:

Washing: Always follow the washing instructions on the care label. Most football pants can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water. Use a mild detergent.
Drying: Air drying is generally recommended to preserve the integrity of the fabric and padding. If you must use a dryer, use a low heat setting.
Padding Care: If your pants have removable padding, take it out before washing. Hand wash the pads separately if they are particularly dirty.
Repairs: Check for any rips, tears, or loose seams regularly and repair them promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wearing Football Pants

Here are answers to some common questions regarding wearing football pants:

Q1: Can I wear shorts under my football pants?
A1: Yes, many players wear padded compression shorts or moisture-wicking shorts underneath their football pants for added comfort and protection. Ensure they don’t bunch up or interfere with the fit of the football pants.

Q2: How should my football pants fit around my cleats?
A2: Football pants typically end just above the cleats, or some players prefer them slightly longer to cover the top of the cleat. The most important thing is that they don’t drag on the ground, which can be a tripping hazard.

Q3: Do I need to wear a mouthguard with my football pants?
A3: A mouthguard is essential protective football gear, but it is worn in the mouth, not with the pants. However, proper football pant wear is part of an overall safety approach that includes a mouthguard.

Q4: What is the difference between padded and unpadded football pants?
A4: Padded football pants come with built-in padding for the hips, thighs, and tailbone, offering direct protection. Unpadded pants require players to wear separate padded garments (like a padded girdle or padded shorts) underneath. For most levels of play, padded football pants are standard.

Q5: How tight should the belt be?
A5: The belt should be snug enough to keep the pants from sliding down during play but not so tight that it restricts breathing or causes discomfort. It’s about finding a secure fit.

Q6: Can I wear regular athletic pants for football?
A6: No, regular athletic pants are not designed for the rigors of football. They lack the necessary durability, padding, and specific fit required for the sport. Proper football uniform assembly mandates the use of specialized football pants.

By following these detailed steps and considerations, any player, from a beginner in youth football pants to a seasoned veteran, can ensure their football pants are worn correctly for optimal performance and safety on the field. This commitment to proper football pant wear is a fundamental aspect of being prepared for the game.