In soccer, every outfit worn by players serves a particular purpose. Since the official creation of the game of soccer in the 19th century, some of its rules and regulations concerning physical outfits have changed over time.
For a first-time viewer of the sport, one of the noticeable features of soccer players is the socks. If we look past the fact of seeing grown men in shorts, another striking observable feature is the long socks. Why are soccer socks so long?
We would examine all the notable reasons why players have to wear long socks. To get an unbiased view of these reasons, we’ll also examine the pros and cons of them all.
Quick Navigation
- Why are soccer socks so long?
- 1. Players wear long socks to obey the rules of soccer
- 2. Long socks keep players warm
- 3. Long socks provide players with enough comfort
- 4. Long socks serve as a substitute for tights and leggings
- 5. Long socks protect your feet better
- 6. Long socks provide a perfect match to the teams color
- 7. Longer socks help in identifying the players’ uniqueness
- Conclusion
Why are soccer socks so long?
There are several reasons why soccer players wear long socks. No matter the league, type of soccer competition, or age, soccer players are made to wear long socks.
The reasons for this unique style of dressing are not surprising but the governing body of soccer games made it a necessary outfit for the safety of the players. Soccer players wear longer socks for all competitions because of the following reasons;
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Players wear long socks to obey the rules of soccer
According to Law 4 of the Laws of the Game, The Players’ Equipment, mandates soccer players to wear socks that cover their shin guards properly.
With this rule officially in place, players are mandated to abide by it. Since the shin guards are worn at the shin, soccer players must comply with this rule by wearing long socks.
The long socks usually extend from the players’ toes to their knees or closer to the knee. Since shin guards are a piece of essential equipment for players to protect their legs, the length of the socks became mandatory to ensure the shin guards stay in place.
Soccer players cannot wear short socks as long socks remain the best option to cover the shin properly according to soccer standards.
2. Long socks keep players warm
Unlike some other sports, soccer can be played throughout the seasons. Apart from playing the game in all seasons, soccer players sometimes play under cold weather conditions.
If they are not well protected from the cold, they will be unable to deliver exceptional performance. Most soccer socks worn by professional soccer players are specially designed to keep their legs warm during gameplay.
When they feel warm, their performance and overall output during the game will improve. When the weather is extremely cold, players often request much longer socks to keep warm, than the conventional length worn during warmer seasons.
This is because the same socks may not provide the player with a suitable warm temperature at all times. The design material of the socks changes with the weather.
During hotter seasons, players wear more breathable socks than closely knitted socks that provide warmth during the cold season.
For example, soccer players in areas like Russia during cold weather will need thicker and longer socks to keep them warm.
In Australia’s hot seasons, soccer players will use breathable and lighter material socks to avoid unnecessarily increasing the body’s temperature during gameplay.
3. Long socks provide players with enough comfort
No soccer player will ever feel comfortable wearing cleats without socks. There is a high level of comfort associated with wearing long soccer socks during gameplay.
Modern professional cleats are designed to give players some extra level of comfort when they play. Despite this, long socks not only provide comfort for the toes and feet but also help to keep the feet firm in the cleats.
Long socks provide the feet and the entire legs with some comfort as they walk into the pitch to participate in the game. When players kick the ball so hard, they are less likely to feel the pressure impact on the foot.
The level of comfort that comes with long socks cannot be compared with anything else. Since the legs do most of the jobs, players are mandated to keep their feet as comfortable as possible whenever they participate in the soccer game.
As a soccer player, you can only play exceptionally when you are comfortable with your outfit.
Soccer socks are also worn, although not a primary function, to help make slightly oversized cleats fit better. As a soccer player, there are times when the cleats just don’t fit perfectly. As long as the difference in size is not much, wearing a long sock can help keep the cleat firmly on the feet.
For centuries, manufacturers of soccer socks have changed many features to improve soccer players’ flexibility. As a result of these innovative solutions applied to modern socks, players can perform exceptionally well during gameplay.
Long socks provide players with enough comfort during the soccer game. They also help reduce the chances of players sustaining an injury during a game, no matter how little. Soccer players are less likely to feel the impact of the ball on their feet when in hard contact with the ball.
4. Long socks serve as a substitute for tights and leggings
Sometimes, soccer players prefer to enjoy the soccer games while putting on tights. Soccer rules under certain conditions permit players to wear leggings or tights during play.
This is especially common during cold seasons. This is because long socks give them the same benefits as tight pants. However, this rule mandates players to put on tights that have the same color as their jersey.
Despite the functionality of tights in helping to keep players warm during cold weather, not all players are accepting of them. Since they do not always offer comfort, many resorts to wearing long socks instead.
Players are already used to wearing long socks, so putting on a longer one that extends above the knee seems to be a much more comfortable option when looking for an alternative to soccer tights or leggings.
Most players are already used to wearing pants for their daily activities. Whenever they dress up to play the soccer game, the long socks will make them feel like they are still in their regular pants.
5. Long socks protect your feet better
Every soccer player is expected to wear a shin guard when getting into the field of play. As a matter of fact, without shin guards, players are exposed to higher risks of sustaining leg injuries during soccer gameplays.
Most shin guards are made with a thick piece of plastic on the outside and a smoother material on the inside. The essence of this design is to provide players with some comfort during competition.
Players are required to sit these shin guards comfortably on the front part of their legs. During the soccer game, this shin guard will protect the high ankle and the tibia or shin from any contact made by other players.
However, if the shin guard is not firmly fixed, it falls off from its sitting position. How do soccer players hold it in place? Soccer socks are the recommended equipment to keep it firmly in position.
The rules of soccer do not expressly mandate players to wear a certain length of socks. All it states is that socks must cover the shin guards to firmly hold them in place. Since it extends to the upper part of the leg, there is a need to cover the entire shin guard with long socks.
Most shin guards are designed with extended material to attach them firmly to the leg. Hence, there is still a need for longer socks.
With players’ safety and protection a major concern during gameplay, the game’s governing body ensures that players adopt the culture of playing with shin guards right from the start.
Despite the importance of shin guards, they will still be less effective if used without socks to keep them in place.
Another level of protection that long socks offer is protecting the skin area from bruises and abrasions. It also acts as a cushion layer to protect the toes from direct contact with the insides of cleats.
6. Long socks provide a perfect match to the teams color
As soccer players line up for the start of a game, the long socks offer unique beauty to their overall outfit. Long socks offer an additional aesthetic appeal to the game.
As stipulated by the Laws of the Game, there must be uniformity in the color of the socks. If any tape or other material is included in the socks, it must be of the same color as the surrounding area.
The use of long socks by all players creates a form of uniformity and standard to the dress code of the sport. Soccer players are known for their incredible long socks, Irrespective of the continent in which the sport is being played.
They display the movement of legs much better for the audience. Apart from providing additional beauty, soccer socks help fans in observing the beauty of soccer closely.
Like most sports, uniforms play an important role in the easy identification of players. Wearing long socks is one of such identifiers that make the game of soccer unique.
7. Longer socks help in identifying the players’ uniqueness
Soccer is one of the biggest sports in the world. Every player that participates in the game tries to create a distinctive trademark for himself.
For example, Thierry Henry was one of the many players that wore socks above their knees. Henry stuck to this habit because longer socks actually served as his trademark.
Henry was one of the greatest soccer players of all time. His playing style actually attracted several people to develop an interest in the sport. His style of wearing long socks above his knee made it easy for fans to spot in during gameplays.
Conclusion
Every sport has a unique outfit to give participants protection and comfort during the game. In soccer, long socks are considered one of the most mandatory outfits for all players.
They also add an aesthetic appeal to the game, making soccer players stand out on the pitch as well as from other sports.
One great benefit of soccer socks is that they are the cheapest soccer outfit to buy. You do not have to break the bank to purchase a quality soccer outfit.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!