What protection clothing for rugby for son do I need?

[scrummyyummy]

My 11 year old is very skinny but will be playing rugby at school. I know he won't be in the scrum positions but he is a fast runner. Even so, he will still be tackled. I know there are protective clothing you can buy for rugby but there are so many that I don't know which ones to go for. I don't want huge shoulder padded things which will make him look like Michelin man but just something that will keep some bruising at bay! Are these clothing just for the scrum positions? What about headgear? I don't want to make him look silly if his sort of positions don't wear protection but if he won't be laughed at then I would prefer to offer some body protection as he's just skin and bones! I basically want to know if players on the outside do wear protective clothing if they want without looking out of place. As you can tell, I know nothing about rugby! Thanks for any advice/input.

[annie0000]

My boys don't play any longer, but when they were playing (age 7 and 8) they didn't wear any protective clothing, just rugby kit - they did need a mouth sheild (gum guard) and weren't allowed to play without it. I think that there was a limit to the contact at that age, so maybe your son will be more physically involved. I think if it was me, I would go with the helmet. Underarmour do padded underthings I think - he will need some sort of underarmour type clothes anyway for the cold so it will not necessarily be obvious that his is the padded type. Maybe something like this:
http://www.lovell-rug...rotection/Body-Armour

[Tim123]

One of these.

http://www.deepdiving.net/museum/jim1.jpg

You can't be too careful.

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks for the link, annie. I will take a look at it when I have some time. My son will be doing full contact so bruises are expected but just thought if it could be limited with protection then all the better! He has a gumshield already as, like you said, they aren't allowed to play without one.

Tim: I think that's the wrong sport!

[maxi29]

He sounds like he's in the three-quarter line, probably a winger. He shouldn't really need any protective clothing, backs don't need scrum caps. I know that professionals wear shoulder padding these days but that's because the players are bulked up, that shouldn't be the case with 11-year-olds. I played in the backs for some years and I didn't wear any form of protection, nor knew anyone who did.

[sophiehurt02]

I have a suggestion in this regards visit: http://answers.bettor.com/Rugby-c414 to get a response on this. I hope this will help.

[kirkdx]

Hi,

Having coached from under 11's to under 16's and played for over 15 years these are the things I would strongly recommend:

1 - Gum shield (don't skrimp on this, if you can afford a properly fitted 1 then do it!!!). Gum shields provide protection for more that just teeth, they can actually help prevent shock travelling through the teeth and causing other injuries.

2 - a Scrum Cap (or head gear). These are wrongly reffered to as scrum caps as believe me, whether you play in the forwards (in the scrum) or backs a kick / knee to the head hurts and can cause serious injury. It sounds to be like he is learning so more protection to the head area is very important.

Also, you may like to think about:

- Shoulder pads. They don't need to be massive (in fact there are rules about the size they can be, but if they are IRB approved they SHOULD be OK). Again, don't be fooled that these are only for forwards or pro's. They provide protection to one of the most used and vunerable areas of the body in rugby, no matter what position.

- I have seen people whear shinpads (especially in the front row of the scrum), however if he is out in the backs he probably won't need these.


I don't mean to make it all sound scary, but rugby is a physical game and taking sensible precautions against injury is, well, sensible. Last thing I would want is for a new player to give up because they got a preventable injury.

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Kirk, that was particularly useful. I'm going to show what you've written to my son because when I mentioned some sort of body protection, he said he would be fine. I think it's because he feels a bit embarrassed to wear any in case the other boys think he's a sissy as he would probably play on the outside (winger?) as he is thin but fast. You have a point as I think if he did get hurt badly, it might put him off rugby and that would be a shame as he does enjoy it.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to offer your advice.

[Count-A-Strong]

What a load of wusses. I used to play union and got kicked in the head just above my right eye. With blood streaming down my face I carried on playing after the ref had asked if I was ok to carry on. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. Healy n safety gone mad.

[scrummyyummy]

Count a strong: were you 11???

[ponjee]

im a girl and i play rugby. i play in the bbacks, i play 2nd five. um he could weaar head for times that he goes in rucks. i do sometimes. shouldr pads is good, esp gng up against those forwards. make sure he wears s mouthguard, u dnt want him to go on with full set of teeth then comin off with two. lol
well good lock with the rugby situation.
xxx