By Jeffrey Summers, DO, Geisinger pediatric sports medicine physician 

Jersey? Check. Helmet? Check. Athletic cup or pelvic protector? If you’re a parent of an athlete, that last one may be a head-scratcher.

An athletic cup, also called a “jock,” is a device that protects a player’s penis and testicles from injuries during high-contact sports. A pelvic protector, sometimes called a “jill,” has a similar design to protect a player’s vulva. Both devices shift impacts away from sensitive groin structures to the sturdier pelvic bone, guarding against hits and kicks or collisions with a ball, puck, stick or player’s helmet. 

They’re often overlooked — many athletes choose not to use them. But even if your child only goes in for a few minutes of play, don’t skip the protection.

Just like a helmet, an athletic cup or pelvic protector is a critical piece of gear in contact sports.

For high-contact sports, even the smallest players can benefit from the added protection. When your child is on the field, they’ll have run-ins with a loose ball, a hockey or lacrosse stick — or another player. Those collisions can put your child at risk of a hit to the crotch. Sports where groin protection is necessary, and possibly required, include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Field hockey
• Football
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Martial arts
• Soccer
• Softball

So, how young is too young to start wearing one? As soon as your child starts playing high-impact sports they should wear appropriate groin protection.

That said, the risk increases with age if a kid has a penis and testicles. At puberty, their testicles grow, and the scrotum drops. This makes them more likely to have a groin injury.

Injuries can range from mild bruising and swelling to more serious things like:

• Groin strains or sprains
• Inguinal hernias
• Sports hernias
• Testicular rupture
• Testicular torsion

Your child can reduce the risk of a groin injury by putting on an athletic cup before heading onto the field.

While a vulva is more compact, it needs protection, too. The vulva is tightly packed with more than 10,000 nerve fibers and lots of blood vessels.

It hurts to catch a ball or puck flying at 70 mph on any body part, but it’s incredibly painful in this area, with possible consequences to future sexual and reproductive health.

Injuries can include:

• Hematoma (a severe bruise that may need to be drained)
• Labial tears

Wearing a jill or pelvic protector can stave off trauma to this sensitive region.

You can find athletic cups online or at your local sporting goods store.

Not sure where to start? Look for cups that are strong enough to protect the groin while being comfortable.

These tips will help your child find the right one.

Choose a style 

Cups have come a long way from the days when they were made of metal. Your athlete will breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can choose cups made from:

• Soft or hard plastic
• Carbon fiber
• Fabric

For added comfort, consider a model with gel padding around the edges. And for easier cleaning, look for one that’s machine washable.

The type of cup an athlete needs depends on the kind of hits they’ll take. Football, for example, is a higher-impact sport than basketball. Some positions see more contact than others.  A young catcher, goalie or running back might need something sturdier than other members of the same team. 

Find the right size

If a cup is too small or large, it can be uncomfortable. Cups that are too large can slip out of place or irritate the skin. 

A properly sized cup should fit comfortably around the groin area and shouldn’t touch the scrotum (testicles are inside the scrotum).

The easiest way to select a cup size is to measure around your waist at its narrowest point. 

• Peewee: Waist size from 19 to 22 inches is typically for children up to 4’6” and up to 75 pounds.
• Youth: Waist size from 22 to 26 inches is typically for children up to 5’6’ and 100 pounds.
• Teen: Waist size from 26 to 30 inches is typically for teens. 
• Adult: Waist size from 30 inches or greater should consider using an adult size.

After you find the right size, check for fit by lunging, running in place or jumping. If the cup shifts, is uncomfortable, or feels too loose, choose a different size.

How to wear an athletic cup

After finding the right cup, you’ll need a supporter to hold it in place. Always wear the cup with the pointed end facing down so you can move your legs freely.

• Compression shorts and impact shorts: These tight, supportive shorts have a pocket that holds the cup in place. To put the cup in, slide it into the pocket on the front of the shorts. Once it’s in place, adjust until it fits comfortably over the penis and testicles.
• Athletic supporter: A traditional athletic supporter (also called a jockstrap) is worn over the underwear and under the uniform pants. And once it’s on, adjust until it fits. It’s best to wear tighter underwear as added support.

Pelvic protectors generally work the same way as athletic cups, and are just shallower and smaller. As relatively new sports gear, jills are less standardized in sizing and style.

Style 

Choose the style that works best with your sport and uniform. Some are designed to slide into compression shorts or pants. Others are more like a jockstrap and are held in place with an elastic waistband. Some sports require jills, including many hockey teams. Like athletic cups, consider the position your athlete will play, with catchers and goalies requiring greater protection.

Styles vary greatly, but most are thick pads that fit nicely in shorts, allowing comfort and protection. Pelvic protectors for boxing and martial arts are thickly padded briefs. Choose something that’s machine washable, and clean it often to kill bacteria and odor.

Sizing and fit

Look at the manufacturers’ information to find the right size. Each company’s sizing is different, but the protector should cover their genitals. Try lunging or running in place and see if it moves. If so, it’s too large and could irritate the skin.

Like an athletic cup, you need something to hold the jill in place. Always wear the protector with the pointed end facing down so you can move your legs freely.

• Compression shorts and impact shorts: The tight, supportive shorts have a pocket that holds the protector in place. To put the cup in, slide it into the pocket on the front of the shorts with the narrow end facing down. Once it’s in place, adjust until it covers the genitals while still allowing movement. Make sure it doesn’t rub.
• Loose shorts: Some protectors are sewn into loose shorts, which might be preferable for sports like soccer or hockey, where they fit more easily under breezers.
• One piece: A standalone pelvic protector is worn over the underwear and under the uniform pants. Again, once it’s on, adjust until it fits.

With the needed gear, your child can focus on playing their game. So before the next match, make sure their sports bag includes groin protection.