Guide to Putting on Football Pads

Thousands of Americans play football. Millions watch it on TV --- the Super Bowl is the nation's most-watched TV event --- and children as young as 4 play on neighborhood teams. It's essential that both youth and adults are properly protected by padding and other equipment. In time, the padding, helmet, shoes and jersey will feel like a second, protective skin.

Things You'll Need

  • Football pants
  • Knee, hip, thigh, tailbone, buttocks or shin pads
  • Girdle
  • T-shirt
  • Shoulder pads
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Instructions

  1. Lower Body Pads

    • 1

      Examine the football pants to get an idea of where the padding will go once the pants are worn.

    • 2

      Slip the pads into the appropriate pockets inside the pants, and snap the pockets closed. On a child, the pockets for the lower-body pads should all be included in the pants, covering the thigh, shin, hip and buttocks. On an adult, the pad pockets are sewn into both the pants and a separate garment, the girdle.

    • 3

      Insert the adult knee pads into the pockets inside the pants leg that cover the knee. Make sure the pad is inserted curved-side up. Snap the pocket closed.

    Girdle

    • 4

      Into the adult girdle garment, insert the hip pads into the side, hip pad pocket. Snap it closed. It's easier to pad the girdle before you put it on.

    • 5

      Insert the thigh pads into the girdle, curved side facing up. A small amount of pad may protrude above the top of the pocket, but fasten them regardless.

    • 6

      Insert the hip pads into the girdle's side pocket, curved side out. Snap the pocket closed. Insert the tailbone pad into the pocket on the backside of the girdle, curved side out. Snap the pocket closed.

    • 7

      Pull on the girdle. Make sure the pads are situated correctly and cover the appropriate body parts. The tailbone and hip pads should not rise higher than the waist. The pads also should not pinch.

    Upper Body Pads

    • 8

      Put on a T-shirt, or other lightweight shirt suitable to wear underneath the shoulder pads. The shirt will protect the skin from chafing.

    • 9

      Pull the pads on down over the head, and are then secured by straps in front of the chest and under the armpits. Wait until you're at the field to put on the shoulder pads. They're too bulky for comfortable travel.

    • 10

      Run drills to make sure the pads are secure, but not so tight that they interfere with playing and comfort.