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How to Keep Soccer Socks From Falling? 5 Useful Ways

How to Keep Soccer Socks From Falling? 5 Useful Ways

Of all the available soccer kits and gear, the one that gives the majority of soccer players the most problem is the pair of socks. Why? Because they often find themselves struggling to keep it from falling.

Key Takeaways

  • Soccer players must keep their socks above their knee or they will lose the full protection that it offers
  • The first step in keeping soccer socks from falling is getting top-quality, right-fitting pair of socks
  • Tapes and rubber bands are popular add-ons soccer players use to keep their socks from falling
  • Improved socks care will ensure the socks don’t lose their elasticity which will make them fall when worn

Kid wear AG soccer cleat on Firm Ground

While match officials frown at having the socks down to the point that the shin guard is exposed, soccer players need to keep their socks up or they will lose the protection that it offers.

Since most players rely on soccer socks to hold the shin guards, when the socks fall, the shin guards will either shift from the shin to the ankle or even fall off.

Another important reason why soccer socks should always stay above the knee is that they prevent turf burns when soccer players slide to tackle their opponent or to celebrate a goal.

Also, since most professional soccer leagues run around the calendar, players often have to play in the winter months. Keeping the socks above the knee help to keep the lower leg warm in cold temperatures.

The most common answer on how to keep soccer socks from falling is through the use of tape and rubber bands. If that is what you are looking for, you are free to leave.

However, if you want to know all the reasons why your socks fall as well as a step-by-step guide on how to stop that from happening, keep reading as we unveil all of that.

Read more: How To Keep Soccer Socks Above The Knee?

kid wearing orange socks and new soccer cleats

Why do your soccer socks fall down?

Myriad reasons may lead to soccer socks falling. When your socks fall, they can affect your performance on the pitch.

Regardless of the reason, when your soccer socks fall, it increases your chance of getting injured. Being injured as a player is a dreadful experience. Some injuries can lead to the early termination of a soccer player’s career.

One practical example was the case of Ben Collett, a rising star that joined Manchester United at the age of 9 as a trainee. He rose quickly to win the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

However, an ill-timed tackle from Gary Smith of Middlesborough left Collett with a broken leg in two places bringing his career to an early end. That injury did not happen because his socks were down. This is just an illustration to show why soccer players must do their best to avoid injuries.

The reason why armature soccer players are often unconcerned when their soccer socks fall is that they are not aware that socks can also function like compression sleeves. The function of compression sleeves is to enhance the proper flow of blood which can help to minimize muscle cramps during games.

Imagine trying to strike the winning shot and suddenly a bolt of leg cramp hit you on your calf muscle leading to missing the target. That is one instance you will wish you had your socks above your knee.

Also, when your socks keep falling, it will usually pull the shin guard down with it. You will find yourself in an awkward situation where you have to bend down frequently to pull it up and adjust your shin guard.

That will momentarily take your attention away from the game. As a defender, that short moment of distraction may be enough to give your opponent a scoring chance.

Some of the reasons why your socks will fall include;

  • They are low-quality
  • The socks have lost their elasticity
  • They are bigger than your legs
  • The socks are not pulled up high enough

a soccer player wears black socks and cleats running on the pitch

Proven techniques to keep soccer socks from falling

Socks that keep sliding down can be embarrassing and inconvenient, as well as costly too. To solve this problem, you need to address the root cause.

While we mentioned earlier that athletic tape and rubber bands can do the trick, if your socks are falling because they are low quality, just slapping tape around the top of the socks may not be enough to stop the problem.

You will soon realize that your shin guards will move around a lot and may rest on your instep which can impede walking and running.

So, instead of just telling you what you should do to stop the socks from falling, we will tell you how to tackle the problem that causes the falling. This should provide a more permanent solution.

Problem 1: Low-quality socks (Replace them)

We understand that not all soccer players have the privilege of playing in elite leagues where they are supplied with kits regularly. Kids and teens in poor neighborhoods often have to scrap up whatever gear they find to stay in the game.

Top-quality socks are made from cotton—and sometimes with a bit of polyester to increase their stretchability. Low-quality socks are usually made from other materials that exclude cotton.

For example, socks made from silicone alone will be slippery and you will find it hard to keep them from falling. Such socks are usually less durable compared to cotton.

If you happen to own low-quality socks, the best solution would be to replace them. Taping alone may not be enough to keep them up.

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Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Problem 2: Socks lost their elasticity (Use athletic tape or rubber band)

When you overstretch your socks too frequently, they will lose their elasticity and ability to stay tight. The firmness of the knitting will start to relax and the effectiveness of the elastic material used in the socks will start to weaken.

This can also happen over time as the socks get old. Bleach will erode the elastic material in the socks when you wash them often with bleach.

When this affects the elastic band around the top of the socks, you will notice that the socks will fall freely soon after you pull them up. However, you can easily fix this using athletic tape or a rubber band. Follow the steps below to fix this problem.

  • Step 1

Get your preferred athletic tape online or from a reputable soccer store.

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  • Step 2

Wear the soccer socks with the elastic band issue. Pull the socks up to the length you want them to be.

  • Step 3

Tear out a thin strip of athletic tape. You can achieve this by pulling out the right tape length that will go around the top of your socks—depending on whether the socks will rest under or above your knee.

  • Step 4

Use a pair of scissors to split it into three strips. Use one of the strips to tape around the weak elastic band of your socks. You can fold over the top of your socks to cover the tape.

Use the other two strips to tape below and above the shin guard. This prevents the movement of the shin guard which will pull the socks down.

Make sure the tape is not too tight to the point that it starts to cut off circulation. If the tape is too loose, it will not perform its role either.

soccer player wears shin guards inside red socks

Use rubber band

Amazon Basics Assorted Size and Color Rubber Bands, 0.5 lb.
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Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Rubber band functions in a similar way as athletic tape. However, there is a slight difference in the application.

  • Step 1

Purchase a rubber band of your choice. Make sure they are not too tight. The circumference of the right rubber band should only be about 2 cm smaller than the circumference of the leg area it would sit.

Getting the right measurement is crucial so that it is neither too tight nor too loose when you wear it.

  • Step 2

Wear the socks with the elastic band issue and pull them up to where you want them to be.

  • Step 3

Slip your foot through the hole on the rubber band and pull it up until it sits around the elastic band of the socks. Fold over the top of the socks to cover the rubber band.

Problem 3: The socks are bigger than your legs (Get a new pair)

When the socks are far bigger than your legs, it will almost be impossible to stop them from falling. Imagine a 10-year-old child wearing soccer socks designed for adults.

Even when you tape such socks, they will end up bunching up in your cleats which can cause severe discomfort—and injuries. The best solution in this situation will be to change the socks altogether and go for a fitting pair.

If the socks are only slightly bigger than your legs, wearing a shin guard sleeve before wearing your socks can make the difference. The shin guard sleeve will increase the size of your legs so that the socks can fit.

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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Problem 4: Socks are not pulled up high enough (Pull them up)

If you look at the design of soccer socks, they mimic the shape of human legs. The ankle area is smaller but it becomes wider as you go up.

When you don’t pull up the socks high enough, the top will rest on a thinner part of the legs. Therefore, the elastic of the socks will not grip properly on your legs.

The result is that the socks will keep falling. Pulling up the socks to the thicker part of your legs can easily solve this problem.

soccer player pinches his soccer socks

Conclusion

A weakened elastic at the opening of the socks and movement of the shin guards are the two main factors that will cause your soccer socks to keep falling. The others are not wearing the socks properly, using poor-quality socks, or wearing wrong-fitting socks.

Pulling up the socks above the knee and securing the shin guard properly are two important steps that will help to prevent your soccer socks from falling. However, there are times when you will have to combine more than one technique to keep the soccer socks from falling.

Stopping your socks from falling is one less distraction that will allow you to focus on putting out your best on the field. Also, it will help you to stay properly protected on the pitch.