Groin protection for boys.

[So]

My youngest son plays a lot of rugby. He is a hard little sod and gets properly stuck in, however he does get hurt. He has spent the last couple of days in hospital after taking a bad blow to the groin and it’s not something I want to happen again.

Does anyone know of effective groin protection for boys / youths please? If so, how practical is it for rugby? He wears it for cricket, but that game obviously requires different movement.

[MellowshipSlinky]

I’ve coached kids rugby for years and can’t remember the last time one of them got the jewels injured, apart from them missing a spin ball that hits them (their fault)

I don’t actually think the wearing of a box is allowed.
He needs teaching to cover up in the ruck!

My lad also plays rugby and cricket, and after watching him run in his box at cricket, there’s no way he could do what he does in rugby wearing it.

Edited by MellowshipSlinky on Tuesday 2nd October 21:45

[anonymous-user]

Take a look at the MMA groin protection equipment. Allows full range of movement, isn’t bulky and easy to move/run in.

[MellowshipSlinky]

If it’s made of hard plastic it won’t be permitted, just like boots with plastic ‘blades’ instead of round studs aren’t.

[So]

MellowshipSlinky said:

I’ve coached kids rugby for years and can’t remember the last time one of them got the jewels injured, apart from them missing a spin ball that hits them (their fault)

I don’t actually think the wearing of a box is allowed.
He needs teaching to cover up in the ruck!

My lad also plays rugby and cricket, and after watching him run in his box at cricket, there’s no way he could do what he does in rugby wearing it.

Edited by MellowshipSlinky on Tuesday 2nd October 21:45

I didn’t see it but I am told it was a tackle. I am not sure that covering up whilst tackling is optimal technique.

[prand]

So said:

I didn’t see it but I am told it was a tackle. I am not sure that covering up whilst tackling is optimal technique.

Personally, and despite knowing about how Budge Poutney ended up losing a testicle, I'd be inclined not to bother with adding extra protection. You get all sorts of random serious knocks in rugby that you'd end up having to protect almost your entire body, or stop playing all together if you were trying to avoid injury.

I would have thought the best way to get some protection is wearing tight underpants, some compression shorts and a pair of outershorts, which would give you a decent level of protection as your bits would be held closely to the body and you have three layers of clothing away from danger.

Maybe getting clever and sewing high impact foam padding in strategic areas into a pair of undershorts may help, but I would imagine that it would be like trying to run around in a pair of padded cycling shorts and be a bit restrictive. I doubt even that it would protect you from a direct hit either.

Then of course you need to make sure you are allowed to wear protection in such a way.The rugby laws are quite restrictive on padding, and where you are protected. They say clearly that you cannot wear "shorts with padding sewn into them" though you can still buy these padded shorts (Gilbert do some) with hip and thigh padding (for training only perhaps?). As they could be classed as undershorts, its arguable as to whether these could be worn in a game or not. I know some refs would play it by the book and ask for them to be taken off, but then how would they know, and most would not care.

[FredClogs]

There are compression shorts out there with some light protection. I doubt a hard style cricket box is going to be allowed in rugby and a strap round kick boxing or boxing guard is going to be quite restrictive when running full stride.

BTW hope your lad fully recovers I can imagine that's no fun at all.

[MellowshipSlinky]

So said:

I didn’t see it but I am told it was a tackle. I am not sure that covering up whilst tackling is optimal technique.

If it was a tackle that hurt him then not much he can do about it.
These things happen I’m afraid.

I’ve had an U12 lose his new adult front teeth, even wearing a gum shield....

[So]

MellowshipSlinky said:

I’ve had an U12 lose his new adult front teeth, even wearing a gum shield....

If he was anything like the boys at my lad's school, he was playing with it hanging out of his mouth like a cigar.