Have you ever wondered why some people are good at playing sports? Well, they possess the right stuff needed to play sports. For example, they have developed the right abilities and skills, such as strength, endurance, coordination, agility, and accuracy. They must also have the right attitude toward sports; they’re determined, disciplined, patient, diligent, dedicated, and competitive.
But of course, it takes more than having the right attitude, abilities, and skills to be good at sports. The right gear is also needed to play a sport. For those of you who are new to sports, here are three common types of gear needed in sports:
Protective devices
As many sports involve heavy physical contact, players suffer from injuries at any given time, highlighting the need for protective gear. For contact team sports, for example, hockey, football, or basketball mouthguards prevent injuries to their teeth, lips, and gums in the event of light or heavy contact near the mouth.
Wearing protective gear is even more important in combat sports like boxing, taekwondo, and kendo where a single blow to the body or head can result in serious injuries. Accordingly, combat athletes often wear headgear or helmets, body armor, and mouth, arm, shin and groin guards to protect themselves while in action.
Specialized activewear
When training for or playing sports, specifically designed clothes, footwear, and accessories are worn by athletes to aid in their performance. Many sport shirts or jerseys, shorts, and pants nowadays are designed to dry quickly to keep athletes’ bodies cool. There’s also compression apparel (usually worn as undergarments), which facilitates better blood flow and muscle oxygenation to reduce muscle fatigue during physical activities.
When it comes to footwear, many sports have dedicated sneakers or cleats that enhance the abilities and skills—say jumping higher in basketball—needed to play a particular sport. Athletes use accessories like headbands and wristbands to keep their faces and eyes free from sweat and knee or ankle braces to support vulnerable body parts.
Dedicated equipment
Many sports also require dedicated tools, supplies, and facilities to be played. Unlike protective gear and activewear, these are stuff not worn by athletes but are still important in training and playing. Take ice hockey as an example. Players will need a stick, a couple of pucks, a goal, and an ice rink to develop their skills for the game.
It’s a bit easier for basketball, as a ball, a hoop, and enough hard surface will already do when practicing shooting and dribbling. But just the same, a basketball court will eventually be needed if a person wants to be truly good at the sport.
Get the Right Stuff
In the end, if you want to be good at sports, you need to have not only the right attitude, abilities, and skills but also the right protective devices, activewear, and equipment. Remember that these items will protect you, aid in your performance, and develop your skills when training for the sport of your choice. If you feel unsure, you can consult a professional athlete.