Socks have been a mandatory element of football players' equipment for many decades. At first glance, they are no different from those that dancers and athletes use to warm up their muscles.
However, football ones are the product of many years of work by research centers. Every year, manufacturers try to improve and perfect the technology, which is subsequently carefully protected. Everything in football socks (from the shape of the product to the composition and weaving of the thread) is designed for the effective performance of a football player on the field.
Socks, as footballers wear them
The methods of wearing gaiters, like any element of equipment, are strictly regulated. Nevertheless, football players find ways to bend the rules and do things their own way. Often their ideas gain incredible popularity and find followers all over the world. A striking example is Cristiano Ronaldo's cropped socks (photo).
Of course, the question of who was the first to cut off a foot remains controversial, but it is generally accepted that it was Ronaldo who was the founder of the new fashion.The idea of one football player resonated all over the world and forced sports equipment manufacturers to release a new model (without a foot). According to the players, this allows them to solve the problem with the new socks slipping inside the boots. And athletes from Russia and Eastern Europe do this for reasons of warmth.
Another original way of wearing from Gareth Bale (Real FC) and Kyle Walker (Manchester City FC) has not yet gained such popularity, but, without a doubt, attracted attention. These players prefer to cut holes. According to Bale, this allows you to relieve injured muscles.
Football socks, main functions
Initially, the main purpose was to hold the shields. But now, when many shields are equipped with a system of fixing straps, they are still not going to be abandoned. And there are good reasons for this. Modern gaiters perform a number of important functions:
- promote timely removal of moisture;
- breathability of the fabric guarantees comfort for the foot;
- provide compression support for the leg;
- protect the skin from scratches and damage that inevitably occur when performing tackles.
Important! The correct choice of socks largely determines the player’s comfort, his feel of the ball (thick material reduces sensitivity) and, as a consequence, the quality of the game and the result of the match.
Team socks
The choice of team socks is taken very carefully. They must not only be of certain colors (team colors, sometimes information about the sponsor), but also meet a number of additional requirements:
- length to the knee or slightly higher (should completely cover the shield);
- elastic band does not block blood flow, but ensures a fixed position on the leg;
- sole with anti-slip inserts;
- areas subject to abrasion are reinforced;
- a special elastic insert supports the arch of the foot;
- anatomical cut follows the shape of the leg (including differences for the right and left leg), which improves blood flow and provides additional support to the ankle and foot;
- shock-absorbing inserts on the toe and heel (reduce the load on the legs);
- Mesh inserts improve breathability.
Reference! Gaiters for the game are selected taking into account many factors: climatic conditions, time of year, expected intensity of the game.
In addition, they can be made individually for the player, taking into account his wishes. This could be additional support in areas of recent injury or a tighter weave in areas where shoes constantly rub. Manufacturers try to take into account all the nuances and wishes of the team.
Training gaiters
Football players, as a rule, do not wear pads for training, so there is no need for socks. Often you can see athletes wearing short models or socks. This is partly the reason for the popularity of cut-off models: during training, athletes get used to the sensations of cotton socks, so the leg warmers seem uncomfortable and unusual.
How to put on football socks correctly
How to put on gaiters correctly largely depends on what they are combined with (type of protection, presence of a sock).
Some tips
- When purchasing, first of all, you need to pay attention to the composition: the optimal elastane content is in the range of 7–15%.
- Must be selected strictly according to size.
- Thick models made from natural fabrics will keep you warm in cool weather, but will reduce the “feel of the ball.”
But in fact, it is not so important which leg warmers and how to wear them. As Zinedine Zidane said: “The most important thing is that Bale is ready to play.The holes are his own business.”
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