Football is a team sport that’s often accused of prohibiting individuality. And with systems and routines trumping any sense of style, it’s not often that players are allowed to make their mark through hairstyles or jewellery. But if there’s one way that the game’s top performers can bring their own little bit of je ne sais quoi, it’s through the socks they wear.
The humble sock makes up a huge proportion of a player’s outfit, yet it’s often the most overlooked part of the kit. But what many amateur and professional players don’t realise is that the socks they wear can have a huge impact on their performance both during games and afterwards.
In order to perform at the highest level, it’s important for a player’s feet to be comfortable and free of any irritation. This means that the socks they wear must not only fit well but also be a good fit for their shoes. Fortunately, technology has moved on from the old fashioned cotton and nylon football socks that were commonplace in the past. Now, manufacturers use a variety of synthetic materials to ensure that the socks not only offer a great fit for the foot and calf but also have high moisture-wicking capabilities.
As a result, players can expect to find a pair of football socks that will not only give them the comfort they need but also help with circulation and reduce muscle fatigue and soreness both during training and in the game. And as an added bonus, a good quality pair of football socks will also help with blister control.
So if you’re looking to take your game up a notch, whether as a goalkeeper or a striker, then the right pair of socks is a must-have item for your kit.
It’s not often that we see a footballer cut large holes in their socks, but there was a time when such an act would have been considered highly unsportsmanlike and a blatant disregard for the rules of the game. The rule was actually instituted back in 1945 by Commissioner Elmer Layden. He was apparently unhappy with the appearance of footballers’ legs, which led him to impose a rule that required players to wear a sock that extends up to (but not over) the knee, irrespective of the length of their pants.
Nowadays, however, the only thing that many amateur footballers will cut into their socks is sock tape. And the reason is simple: they want to look like their heroes on the pitch. In fact, some coaches even encourage this by telling young players to tuck their socks into their boots and wrap them with tape just like the pros. But this trend is somewhat misguided, as it can actually cause injury by interfering with the flow of blood around the foot and calf. The best solution for this is to opt for a pair of compression football socks that can increase blood flow, improve muscle performance and speed up recovery times.sport socks football