What Pads Do NFL Players Wear?

A quick look at the different types of pads NFL players wear to protect themselves during the game.

Introduction

American football is a tough, physical sport played by some of the largest and strongest athletes in the world. To protect these athletes from serious injuries, they wear a lot of padding. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the various pads worn by NFL players and what their purpose is.

Different types of pads

Pads play an important role in protecting NFL players from injuries. There are different types of pads that players can wear depending on their position. The most common pads are shoulder pads, thigh pads, and knee pads.

Shoulder Pads

Shoulder pads are the most visible piece of equipment worn by football players and serve an important purpose in protecting the athlete’s upper body. Modern shoulder pads are made up of three main parts: the body, the arch, and the flaps. The body is the central piece that rests on the player’s shoulders and spans across the chest. The arch is located on the back of the shoulder pad and helps to distribute weight evenly. The flaps are connected to the body of the shoulder pad and provide additional coverage for the player’s arms and chest.

Hip and Tailbone Pads

Players at all levels of football can wear hip and tailbone pads, which are designed to protect the hips and tailbone from impact. NFL players typically wear hip pads that are made of hard plastic and designed to slide into the pockets of their pants. These pads typically have a cup-like design that helps protect the player’s hip joint. NFL players also often wear tailbone pads, which are designed to protect the coccyx from impact. These pads are made of soft foam and typically attach to the back of the player’s pants with Velcro.

Knee and Elbow Pads

Knee and elbow pads are usually made of foam-like material and plastic and are meant to protect the joint and the surrounding muscles and tendons. Some players opt to wear only one pad on their elbow or knee, while others wear two pads, one on each side of the joint.

There are several different types of knee pads available on the market, from those made specifically for football to those designed for other sports such as basketball or volleyball. The type of pad you choose should be based on your personal preference as well as the level of protection you need. For example, if you play a position that requires a lot of kneeling, such as an offensive lineman, you may want to choose a thicker, more protective pad.

How to choose the right pads

For football, the most important pads are the shoulder pads. The shoulder pads fit snugly around the shoulders and contain foam to cushion hard hits. They also have a hard plastic shell to deflect or absorb impact.

Consider the position you play

Most NFL players wear a cup to protect their genitals, but few wear pads elsewhere on their body. That’s because most of the hits in football occur on the legs and midsection, where players are better protected by the pads built into their uniforms.

The one exception is at the quarterback position. Because quarterbacks are often the target of blindside hits, many choose to wear extra protection on their non-throwing arm. This protection comes in the form of a padded sleeve that covers the forearm and bicep.

Running backs and defensive players who are constantly in contact with other players may also opt for additional protection, such as elbow or shoulder pads. But for the most part, pads are not a common sight in the NFL.

Consider the level of play

The level of football you are playing will be the most important factor in choosing the right pads. Pads for collegiate and professional players are different from those used in high school and below. The differences are in both size and weight.

Professional and collegiate players need larger, heavier pads that can provide more protection against the stronger and faster players at those levels. High school players can get by with smaller, lighter pads. The weight difference between the two types of pads is significant. Professional pads can weigh up to five pounds, while high school pads usually weigh around two pounds.

Conclusion

After doing some research, we found that there are three main types of pads that NFL players wear: shoulder pads, knee pads, and elbow pads. While the specific make and model of pad will vary depending on the player and their team’s preference, all pads must meet the NFL’s strict safety standards.

We also found that players typically wear additional padding on their hips, thighs, and sometimes even their ankles and shins. This extra padding helps to protect them from the hard hits they take during games.

Finally, we learned that players have to be very careful when choosing their pads. If a pad is too big or doesn’t fit properly, it can actually do more harm than good. With so much riding on their shoulders (literally!), it’s no wonder that NFL players take their pad selection very seriously.