Boys, do you protect your testicles?

[Anonymous]

Sports question which includes martial arts, American football, soccer/football, boxing, etc.

Talk about why it is your preferred method and what sport you specifically play, you could talk about brand / comfort / style / personal preference. No shame here and no judgement either from me.

Jockstrap w/ cup method

Compression shorts w/ cup method

Thai Cup (steel or hard plastic)

Other (groin protection not listed)

None (no groin protection at all)

Updates

+1 y

Honestly I’d go with a traditional jockstrap with protective cup.

[Anonymous]

I practice a martial art that allows full contact strikes like knees and kicks to the groin, but no protection whatsoever is worn because focus is always on blocking and avoiding any strikes between the legs. To be fair it’s mostly the girls who use the ‘low blow’ as a winning move when sparring with guys, so if you get kneed or kicked in the balls full contact, it’s fight over, so you always have to be on high alert and really concentrate throughout.

[Asker]

Can’t imagine not wearing something protective down there when ladies are doing cheapshots to win. Even with a jockstrap I’d be focused on blocking/dodging groin strikes regardless of what protection. Glad you can concentrate and stay high alert where you don’t need a cup, bet you are very skilled.

[Opinion Owner]

The girls tend to wait until they get a clear, open shot before kicking to the guy’s balls, because if the kick is blocked or avoided the guy will be on extra high alert from that point on. I think the idea is that with no protection at all, you have to be even more focused on protecting your groin area because you don’t have any protection as a backup to protect your balls, so that kind of heightens your defence of your groin area. For the most part, once experienced, protecting the groin does come more naturally, but losing focus and concentration just for a second can be enough to lose with a full contact kick between your legs, so it is fairly common for guys to lose that way if they’re not fully focused and concentrating the whole time.

[Asker]

Wow, you’re very thorough with your explanations, thank you. Yeah it makes sense how the girls would strategize a perfect lowblow, that without a backup guys are more dominant at protecting that weakspot, etc. Wouldn’t want to lose focus either. Have you ever been kicked in the nuts by girls in that setting or witnessed a well placed kick?

[Opinion Owner]

Oh, it’s fine, I enjoy talking about the sport. Yeah, that’s it, they use the ‘low blow’ when they know it’s going to land hard, but guys are extra cautious because when they get kicked there they lose, badly! Losing focus could be tiredness, or simply a distraction if the girl is wearing a certain top or outfit, so it can be hard, especially the longer the fight goes on. Yes, I’ve been kneed and kicked full contact in the balls by girls a good number of times now… I’ve seen it happen many times too… it’s the worst way to lose, it never gets any less painful!

[Asker]

Well I enjoy hearing you explain the sport. Yeah honestly, distraction from a girl’s outfit definitely would be me lmao.
Ouch, sorry about your experience with girls… That is definitely the worst way to lose since it is one of the worst pains you can experience as a guy especially if sadly well placed. Sorry for the guys you saw get nailed too, yikes.
My follow up question is, do the girls at least apologize after seeing your reactions? Also have you ever seen a guy land a well placed knee/kick to a woman’s groin region?

[Opinion Owner]

Oh, thanks. Obviously in sparring tight gear is worn, and when moving and bouncing around the mat it’s kind of natural the guy is going to become distracted sometimes. When that kind of distraction loses you the fight you get pretty annoyed with yourself! Yeah, thanks, it’s happened many times though. It’s a terrible way to lose. When the other guys get nailed as you put it, I just feel thankful it wasn’t me, but watch them and think that’s how I must look and sound when that happens to me. The girls don’t apologise because they’re there to fight and to win, so they don’t really care at all. Guys tend not to kick to the women’s groin area, I never have, but the girls will kick each other there given the chance. Guys tend not to go for the groin unless absolutely necessary, like if it’s the last round or they’re getting well beaten, then it’s ok, yes, that’s fine. The groin strike is more of a girl move though, it’s quite brutal when it happens, I mean they go in full contact as hard as they can, but they know it’s an easy win so I guess that’s fair enough.

[Asker]

I actually figured it was a girl thing since boys are born with testicles and are more likely to empathize with fellow boys and also girls since a kick to the between the legs can be a chain reaction to all men (including myself) to grab our balls and go “Ouch”. At least I’m not alone in the distraction thing I guess, yeah if you put me against a hot girl in tight revealing clothing where her ”chest” goes bouncy bounce I’d be out in the first 10 seconds lmao (I’m a hormonal weakling I know). However if I were out I’d have a friend go, “It was beauty that killed the beast” haha. I’m honestly surprised the girls don’t apologize or show some remorse, I’ve met women who show sympathy/kindness to guys struck in the nuts… Just expected the same is all.

When sparring is there a special uniform/attire the boys n girls have to put on instead of average clothing / a place to change into those proper uniforms too?

I know a cup isn’t allowed, however curious if there is like “no shoes”, “must wear this special shirt” or something…. I don't know maybe I’m weird.

[Opinion Owner]

Yes, that’s it, guys only go for the balls in desperation, and if absolutely necessary, whereas for girls it’s always a legitimate target. The distraction thing is just nature, I think the girls realise that too, so it’s easy for them to take advantage of that, like you say in things like low tank tops when they bounce their chest around as they move around the mat. It’s impossible not to notice that and look. Nah, the girls don’t care, they’re more likely to laugh, I mean it’s kind of funny to them beating a guy that way, but mostly they’re just happy to win. There’s no special uniform, just no baggy clothing, so guys tend to wear shorts and a vest, and girls leggings and a tank top. Yes, there are changing rooms there. It’s all bare foot too, as most martial arts are.

[Asker]

Distracting is 100% just nature lol. I guess my nature is stronger than other guys…

Well thank you for you answering all my questions, if I have any in the future I’ll be more than happy to ask you. Have a lovely week ahead and best luck in your future sparrings. Take care, wish you all the best. Bye

[spartan55]

I never skated without a hard plastic cup when I played rec hockey 🏒 I knew plenty of guys who didn't wear one though, and thought they were out of their minds. In low level rec hockey stick discipline is practically non-existent, so protecting yourself is in your best interest.

[Asker]

I’ve never played hockey, although I can definitely see why you would need to wear a hard cup for that. Those dudes refusing to wear it weren’t very bright, guess they wanted to take their chance with karma hitting them where it hurts the most.

Just glad you were born with a brain, I bet you were a very skillful player especially from a username like “Spartan”.

[spartan55]

Sticks can get you anywhere on your body, and it's worse when it's malicious. I had a dude try to pitchfork me in the nuts from behind me. I took a major for that... I stopped playing about two years later when I took 12 stitches in the nose and above the eye.

[Asker]

Pitchfork you in the nuts from behind? That player should’ve been banned from the sport for such evil, could’ve seriously damaged your testicles! Awful!

Also sorry about what happened with the face injury, I don’t blame you for quitting. I’d quit too if I were you.

In my gym days in Middle School, one of my opponents kept ramming his floor hockey stick into my hands in an attempt to get the orange ball from me and it hurt like a sucker then one idiot was messing around on the floor and accidentally hit me right over the head which made me cry from pain. Luckily no severe damage or injuries which I know aren’t comparable to what you had to deal with, just wanted to say it as yeah those sticks can be hit anywhere even when rules are in place…

[spartan55]

My cup did it's job when that dude speared me. I instantly dropped the gloves and fought him, which wasn't too smart because he was big. Got a couple shots in and then we fell. I was ready to fight him all the way to the parking lot.

[Asker]

Good that you fought back, I would’ve done the same tbh. As a fellow man, you don’t aim for the testicles especially not pitchfork could’ve seriously harmed you (permanently) That guy was definitely a bastard, you stood your ground and I’m proud.

[spartan55]

@asker
Intimidation is a big factor in hockey. If you don't handle that type of stuff you get targeted. Thanks for the MHO!

[Asker]

You’re welcome

[exitseven]

I wore a cup and jock strap when I played Rugby. I did not have a good outcome.

When you gotta go...

[Asker]

@exitseven I actually saw your post before in the past few months, sorry that happened to you man.

[exitseven]

I am much better thank you.

[Asker]

Happy to hear it! You’re welcome! 👍

[John_Cobretti]

I wear a groin guard always, so that nobody has a chance against me unless they're better than me in fighting which only some men are

[Asker]

Smart guy, some aren’t smart to protect their most vulnerable spot. From your tone, you sound tough enough to beat anyone. What type of groin guard do you wear?

[John_Cobretti]

I don't know the type but we use it in the gym everytime while sparring so that we don't accidentally get his there. The image you used for "other" is quite close to it
Well not "Anyone" , but I've been into fighting since a very young age and with God's grace I am quite big so I am just a bit confident that most people can beat be and the man has to be a trained professional to do so

[Asker]

Okay okay, honestly OTHER just meant anyother method outside Thai Cup, Jockstrap Cup, Compression Shorts Cup… So you could’ve voted on the poll OTHER if you really wanted to.

Yeah I’ve seen those big foam pads.

Fighting since a young age, quite big, and confident yeah I’d say that makes you a person with fighter spirit.

[John_Cobretti]

Yeah there are other good ways to protect too , I agree that men should protect this part almost always
And , uh, I would feel like a loser if I am not fighting you know

[Asker]

Well yeah if I did sports, I’d wear a jockstrap and cup to protect my boys any day. Fellow men should realize you only get two, any accident can lead to permanent damage so protection is a must!

Yeah I feel ya, fighting is really awesome! I don’t have anyone to fight with…. However I know it is awesome.

[AviatorTom]

When I played competitive sports, I wore an athletic supporter, sometimes with a cup. In less competitive sports, like intramural volleyball, I wore no protection.

[Asker]

Jockstrap and sometimes a cup, okay.
Yeah with volleyball that makes sense, rare if not impossible for a player to get hit in the groin especially hard enough to cause damage.

With the competitive sports where you would still wear an athletic supporter just not a cup, which sports would you participate?

[handsomelad70]

I don't presently play sports, but if I did, it'd be Thai Cup protecting Brady's Boulevard !!!

[Asker]

“Brady’s Boulevard”, never heard that expression before when referring to one’s testicles. Very creative.
I don’t wear sports either, although I’d go with the traditional Jockstrap & Protective Cup myself.

[handsomelad70]

I could have typed "Cowboy's Corner" but went with "Brady's Boulevard."

[Asker]

Can’t imagine saying either. “She kicked me right in cowboy’s corner for teasing her”, “Yesterday I took a football right in the Brady’s Boulevard, should’ve wore a cup” lmao

[handsomelad70]

You likely aren't called Cowboy and/or Brady.

[Asker]

I was called Cowboy once in the south, Brady never.

[handsomelad70]

So you're half simpatico with me.

[Asker]

Thank you

[NathanDavis]

nope, unless it is required

[Asker]

Alright

[Asker]

Well can’t argue with you there, support of the balls is definitely a must. Though I would definitely want protection too if the sport is physical, if there is a lot of running than anything else then support without a cup is very good.

[BarryLiverstone]

Always have had to playing sports, yes

[Asker]

Good

[BarryLiverstone]

The rules were we had to wear a cup. They checked and if we had no cup we could not participate.