How to Put Football Pants On Correctly; Easy Steps

What is the best way to put on football pants? The best way to put on football pants is to ensure a snug but comfortable fit, with the padding correctly positioned, and the pants securely fastened.

Getting your football pants on correctly is a crucial part of gearing up for any game or practice. It’s not just about looking the part; proper football gear dressing ensures your comfort, mobility, and most importantly, your safety on the field. Many players, especially those new to the sport, might wonder about the nuances of football pant fitting and how to achieve the ideal setup. This guide will walk you through the simple, step-by-step process of donning your football pants, ensuring you’re ready to play with confidence.

Fathoming Football Pant Fit: Why It Matters

Before we dive into the ‘how-to’, let’s briefly touch on why the proper football pant fit is so important. Football is a high-contact sport, and your pants are more than just fabric; they are an integral part of your protective gear.

Protection: Many football pants come with built-in padding or have pockets for inserting separate pads (thigh, knee, hip, tailbone). A correct fit ensures these pads stay in place, offering maximum protection against impacts. Ill-fitting pants can lead to pads shifting, leaving vulnerable areas exposed.
Mobility: Tight or overly baggy pants can restrict your movement. You need to be able to run, jump, cut, and tackle without feeling hindered. The right fit allows for a full range of motion, enhancing your performance.
Comfort: Playing in uncomfortable gear is distracting and can negatively impact your focus. Properly fitted pants contribute to overall comfort, allowing you to concentrate on the game.
Durability: While not directly related to wearing them, well-fitting pants are less likely to snag or tear unnecessarily, potentially extending their lifespan.

When considering sports pants fitting in general, these principles apply. Whether it’s for football, soccer, or another sport, comfort and functionality are key. For instance, soccer pants how to wear also involves ensuring they allow for agile movement and are comfortable enough for extended play.

The Anatomy of Football Pants

To put them on correctly, it helps to know what you’re working with. Most modern football pants are designed with specific features to accommodate padding and provide a secure fit.

Waistband: This is usually elasticated, often with a drawstring, to cinch the pants around your waist.
Padding Pockets: Many pants have internal pockets or integrated sleeves where you can insert separate protective pads. These are typically located at the hips, thighs, knees, and tailbone.
Stirrups or Belt Loops: Some older styles or specific designs might have stirrups that go under the cleats to keep the pant leg down, or belt loops for an additional belt. Modern pants often use a tighter ankle cuff or simply rely on the pant material to stay put.
Material: Football pants are generally made from durable, flexible synthetic materials like nylon or polyester blends that can withstand the rigors of the game and are often moisture-wicking.

Step-by-Step Guide to Donning Your Football Pants

Now, let’s get down to business. Follow these simple steps for football apparel donning:

Step 1: Prepare Your Pants and Pads

Before you even start pulling them on, lay out your football pants and any separate pads you’ll be using.

Check the Pads: Ensure all your pads are present and in good condition.
Insert Pads (If Applicable): If your pants have separate pad pockets, this is the time to insert them.
- Hip Pads: These typically slide into pockets on either side of the waistband area. Ensure they are snug against your body and the pocket.
- Thigh Pads: These usually go into pockets on the front of the pant legs. Make sure they are centered on the front of your thigh.
- Knee Pads: Often integrated into the pant design or inserted into knee pockets. If separate, slide them into their designated sleeves or pockets.
- Tailbone Pad: This pad usually fits into a pocket at the rear, just above the buttocks.

Tip: Some players prefer to wear padded compression shorts or tights underneath their football pants for an extra layer of protection and to help keep pads in place. If you do this, put on the compression gear first.

Step 2: Getting the Pants On

This sounds obvious, but the way you step into them matters for a good fit.

Stand or Sit: You can do this standing or sitting. Some find it easier to sit on a bench or chair, especially when dealing with multiple pads.
Step In One Leg at a Time: Treat them like any other pair of pants. Step one foot into one leg opening, then the other foot into the other leg opening.
Pull Up: Pull the pants up your legs as far as they will comfortably go, ensuring the waistband reaches your natural waist.

Step 3: Adjusting the Fit and Padding

This is where the proper football pant fit really comes into play.

Waist Adjustment:
- Drawstring: If your pants have a drawstring, pull it evenly on both sides to secure the waistband. Tie it tightly enough so it won’t loosen during play, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable or restricts breathing.
- Elastic Waistband: If it’s just an elastic waistband, ensure it’s snug around your waist without pinching.
Pad Alignment:
- Feel for the Pads: Reach inside the pant legs and around your waist to feel that all the inserted pads are correctly positioned and lying flat against your body. They shouldn’t be bunched up or twisted.
- Knee and Thigh Pad Check: Ensure your knee pads are covering the knee cap and your thigh pads are centered on the front of your thighs.
- Hip and Tailbone Pad Check: Feel for the hip pads to ensure they are covering the hip bones and the tailbone pad is covering the tailbone area.

Step 4: Securing the Pants

This step ensures your pants stay up and your pads remain in place throughout the game.

Reinforce the Waist: If you have belt loops, thread a sturdy athletic belt through them and tighten it securely. This adds an extra layer of security to keep your pants from slipping down, especially during intense movements.
Ankle Fit: Most modern football apparel donning involves pants that are relatively snug around the calves and ankles. This prevents them from riding up or getting caught. If your pants are too loose at the ankle, some players might use athletic tape to secure them, though this is less common with today’s pant designs.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with a step-by-step guide, some common issues can arise when putting on football pants.

Pads Shifting: This is the most frequent problem.
- Solution: Ensure you’re using pants that are the correct size for you, with appropriately sized pockets for your pads. Some players find that wearing compression shorts with built-in padding, or specialized padded pants, can be more effective at keeping pads in place. Double-checking pad placement after pulling up the pants and securing the waist is crucial.
Pants Too Tight or Too Loose:
- Too Tight: Restricts movement, can cause chafing, and may not accommodate padding properly.
  - Solution: Opt for a larger size or a different brand known for a more relaxed fit. Ensure you’re not over-tightening the drawstring or belt.
- Too Loose: Can slip down, causing pads to shift and potentially creating tripping hazards.
  - Solution: Use the drawstring and belt to cinch them in. If they are still too baggy, consider a smaller size or pants with a tapered leg.
Chafing:
- Solution: Wear moisture-wicking compression gear underneath. Ensure there are no rough seams or tags rubbing against your skin. Applying anti-chafing balm can also help.

Types of Football Pants and Their Fit Considerations

The world of football pants isn’t monolithic. Different styles have slightly different fitting nuances.

Integrated Padding Pants

These pants come with padding sewn directly into the garment. This simplifies the football uniform setup as there are no separate pads to insert.

Fit Focus: The primary concern here is that the pads are positioned correctly on your body. When trying them on, bend and move to ensure the padding doesn’t feel awkward or restrictive. The overall pant fit should still be snug but not tight.
Pros: Convenient, less prone to pad shifting.
Cons: Padding thickness is fixed; you can’t swap out pads for thicker or thinner versions.

Pants with Removable Padding Pockets

These are the most common type. They have specific pockets or sleeves for inserting individual pads.

Fit Focus: Beyond the general pant fit, you need to ensure the pockets are the right size for your chosen pads and that the pads fit snugly within those pockets. A football pant fitting session should include ensuring the pads don’t easily slip out or bunch up inside the pockets.
Pros: Customizable protection levels, easier to wash pants (pads can often be removed).
Cons: More steps involved in football apparel donning; potential for pad shifting if not secured properly.

Practice Pants vs. Game Pants

Practice Pants: Often made of a slightly lighter material, sometimes with less robust padding or no integrated padding at all (designed to be worn with separate girdle pads).
- Fit Focus: Comfort and mobility are paramount for practice pants on. They should allow for a full range of motion during drills. The fit should be secure enough that they don’t interfere with your movement.
Game Pants: Typically made of a more durable fabric and designed to accommodate the full set of protective pads required for competition.
- Fit Focus: This is where proper football pant fit is most critical for safety and performance. They need to be secure, allow for padding, and not restrict agility.

Ensuring a Great Football Uniform Setup

The pants are a key component, but a complete football uniform setup includes several layers.

Base Layer: Moisture-wicking compression shorts or tights. These help regulate body temperature and can add an extra layer of protection.
Padded Girdle (Optional): For players who prefer not to have integrated padding in their pants or use practice pants without padding, a padded girdle worn underneath provides hip, thigh, and tailbone protection. When wearing a girdle, ensure your football pants fit comfortably over it.
Jersey: This goes over everything. It should be loose enough to not restrict arm movement but not so baggy that it’s a burden.
Socks: High football socks that can be pulled up over the knee pads are essential.
Cleats: The foundation of your on-field gear.

When assembling your football uniform setup, think about how each piece interacts with the others. A well-fitting pant will integrate seamlessly with your base layers and girdle.

Tips for Long-Term Care and Maintenance

Proper care ensures your football pants remain functional and comfortable.

Washing: Always check the care label. Most football pants can be machine washed.
- If pads are removable, take them out before washing.
- Wash in cold water with a mild detergent.
- Avoid fabric softeners, as they can degrade the fabric and padding over time.
Drying:
- Air drying is usually best. Hang them to dry out of direct sunlight, which can damage synthetic materials.
- If using a dryer, use a low-heat setting and remove them promptly.
Pad Care: If pads are removable, wipe them down with a damp cloth and mild soap if they are dirty. Ensure they are completely dry before reinserting them or storing them to prevent mildew.

Frequently Asked Questions About Football Pants

Q1: Can I wear regular athletic pants for football?
A1: No, it is not recommended to wear regular athletic pants for football. Football pants are specifically designed with durable materials and pockets for protective padding, which is essential for safety in a high-contact sport.

Q2: How tight should football pants be?
A2: Football pants should be snug enough to stay in place and keep pads secure, but not so tight that they restrict movement or breathing. There should be a comfortable fit around the waist and legs.

Q3: Do I need to wear anything under my football pants?
A3: Many players choose to wear moisture-wicking compression shorts or tights underneath their football pants. This can help with comfort, temperature regulation, and provide an extra layer of protection, especially if the pants have separate padding pockets.

Q4: How do I ensure my knee pads stay in place?
A4: Proper football pant fitting is key. Ensure your pants are the right size and that the knee pads are fully inserted into their designated pockets or sleeves. Wearing compression shorts can also help hold them in place. Some players also use athletic tape to secure them, though this is less common.

Q5: What if my football pants are too long?
A5: If your football pants are too long, you can have them hemmed by a tailor. Alternatively, some players might use heavy-duty athletic tape to secure the excess fabric at the ankle, but hemming is a more permanent and professional solution for a proper football pant fit.

By following these steps and tips, you can master the art of football apparel donning, ensuring your pants fit correctly, your pads are secure, and you’re ready to tackle the game with confidence and protection. Remember, proper football gear dressing is a fundamental step towards a safe and successful season.