Contact and violent sports require the right equipment to keep athletes safe. What pieces of equipment should not be missing during training?
The basic element of each player’s equipment is properly selected clothing that allows for comfortable play
Rugby boots, like soccer shoes, have special corks that make it easier to move on grass surfaces. Players who train on grass should equip themselves with special shoes with reinforced upper and comfortable sole. You can also find additional screw-in plugs made of aluminum, which increase the stability of the foot while running and improve grip on the surface.
The classic rugby outfit also includes short shorts, a t-shirt made of breathable material, and thermal underwear to prevent overheating. Most players also opt to wear long socks with special calf pads to reduce the risk of muscle tissue injury and stabilize the leg during movement.
A key part of rugby playing equipment is the helmet. It is there to protect players from severe head injuries and cervical injuries. This discipline is very contact, often violent, so properly selected equipment can protect the player from unwanted hits leading even to concussion
Helmets designed for rugby players are usually made of foam and polyester. The equipment should perfectly fit the shape of the player’s head and adhere well to the protected surface. The helmet should not restrict the field of vision, which is why most models allow you to adjust its size yourself using a strap attached to the back of the helmet and a chin racer. The size of the equipment is selected based on the circumference of the head.
At each manufacturer the sizes may vary slightly, but as a standard the largest models are prepared for players with a head circumference of about 60 centimeters, while the smallest from 54 to 55 centimeters.
The last piece of equipment that increases safety while playing rugby is pads. Due to the contact nature of the sport, a player should equip themselves with a few key protectors. The first is a special mouth guard, similar to those used by combat sports players
Teeth protectors reduce the risk of jaw injury, absorb shock, and affect a lower level of sensation of the impacts received. Most models are universal, so they adapt to the shape of the athlete’s jaw and do not interfere with swallowing saliva or breathing.
Among the full-body protectors we can find special shorts with foam filling protecting thigh muscles, shirts with foam protecting the torso and spine, calf protectors placed in the socks or knee pads which stabilize the leg during movement. Choosing the right pads is an individual matter, but it is important to remember that rugby requires adequate protection, so it is advisable to protect your body as much as possible against any injuries.
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