How to Wear an Athletic Supporter With a Cup

Male athletes wear athletic supporters, also known as jock straps or jocks, to support and protect their genitals during competition. An athletic supporter is often paired with a hard plastic protective cup, especially in potentially hazardous sports such as rugby, football, hockey, soccer and baseball. Athletic supporters have commanded great loyalty from athletes over time. The Bike Athletic Company claims that it has shipped 350 million athletic supporters in the past 130 years.

Things You'll Need

  • Athletic supporter
  • Cup
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure your athletic supporter fits the contours of your body. An athletic supporter is essentially an elasticized waistband with a groin pouch and leg straps attached. If it feels too snug, try a larger size. If it feels loose, go down a size. The leg straps should be tight, but not uncomfortable.

    • 2

      Decide which type of protective cup you prefer. A banana-style cup is more elongated than a traditional cup. A soft cup is more pliable and flexible, and could work well for low-contact sports. A flex cup has a hard exterior, but a soft lining and a less rigid fit.

    • 3

      Adjust the waistband of the athletic supporter so it rests along your waist just above your hips after you put it on. Adjust the leg straps so that they are just under the buttocks and not twisted. You should wear the athletic supporter as your first layer of clothing.

    • 4

      Slide the protective cup into the pouch of the athletic supporter, making sure it fits securely. The hard plastic cup can help protect you from injuries that not only are painful, but also can potentially injure or destroy a testicle. This is a vital consideration in high-contact sports.

    • 5

      Wear regular workout clothes or your sports uniform over your athletic supporter and plastic cup. If you opt not to wear a cup, consider wearing compression shorts over your athletic supporter. Compression shorts have a tight fit, similar to bicycling shorts, and are typically made of nylon and lycra. They cover the waist and most of the thigh.