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Post by fasterthanthefly on Apr 7, 2015 11:55:07 GMT -6
Coaches,
In the Equipment thread started recently it turned to the idea of using wrestling/volleyball knee pads with integrated girdles and shorts for practices and not using practice pants anymore. This idea intrigues me as some stated that since they have gone to this they will never go back to practice pants. I thought it was worth creating a thread on this in case others that were doing this didn't see this in the Equipment thread. Any other input??
-What brand/kind of knee pads work best? Cost for a good set??
-**What if kids need to wear knee braces/side impact...does this work?
-Have you experienced kids feeling "slow" once they put on full game pants on game night?
-How have you best utilized the knee pads?
Any other thoughts good or bad??
Thanks!
FTTF
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Post by coachbdud on Apr 7, 2015 12:24:31 GMT -6
My thoughts This season I want everyone one integrated girdles and shorts
Knee pads are basically useless We never go live In practice We stay up on all tackles and form work
We don't need knee pads Id rather them be comfortable and have more energy
Girdles shorts and shells every day is what I want for our every day practice dress code
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Post by fasterthanthefly on Apr 7, 2015 13:06:41 GMT -6
Guess I should have clarified that I was looking for feedback from those that do find knee pads useful and can speak to this idea from their experience with the utilization of knee pads!!
FTTF
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Post by larrymoe on Apr 7, 2015 13:52:07 GMT -6
In college we wore these kind of kneepads and as a wrestler, I really liked it. I could put them down around my ankles and feel cooler during certain times and pull them up when we went full go. Haven't done it as a HC because I just don't have the money, and honestly, I forgot about it.
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Post by coachbdud on Apr 7, 2015 15:32:57 GMT -6
Guess I should have clarified that I was looking for feedback from those that do find knee pads useful and can speak to this idea from their experience with the utilization of knee pads!! FTTF sorry, realized after i posted i was less than helpful
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Post by keysersoze on Apr 7, 2015 19:43:04 GMT -6
We use a simple McDavid volleball kneepad. They pretty much get destroyed after two years. We've gotten more expensive versions but they don't seem to last any longer. We have used the Asics knee pads as well but the McDavid is a little better price and pretty much the same thing. I have had a few kids with the 7 point integrated girdle but it seems a bit expensive to get lots of kids buying them. I'm curious what others use as well.
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Post by coachwoodall on Apr 7, 2015 20:20:14 GMT -6
We use the girdle that is everything but the knee pad. Kid only have to put a knee pad in their pants.
I don't get the whole, ''we're not going.....'' thing. The entire season has a hot/non-pant period of about about 4 weeks if you're at my latitude or below. Plus, the kids have to wear them in the game anyway, why not get them acclimated to condition of the game; isn't that what practice is for?
Also, I've never seen a thud/non-contact/light day/etc.... where a kid didn't do to the ground; intentional or not.
If you want to have a Don Ho practice then just say so.
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Post by coachdawhip on Apr 9, 2015 8:31:57 GMT -6
We use the girdle that is everything but the knee pad. Kid only have to put a knee pad in their pants. I don't get the whole, ''we're not going.....'' thing. The entire season has a hot/non-pant period of about about 4 weeks if you're at my latitude or below. Plus, the kids have to wear them in the game anyway, why not get them acclimated to condition of the game; isn't that what practice is for? Also, I've never seen a thud/non-contact/light day/etc.... where a kid didn't do to the ground; intentional or not. If you want to have a Don Ho practice then just say so. Not to hijack the thread, but because I don't want 2? I mean if it's not for you cool. But we don't wear knee pads period, I would love to wear the volleyball pads, but haven't gotten around to it. I think it worked fine for us not wearing knee pads, guess I need to try it again and see.
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Post by holmesbend on Apr 9, 2015 17:01:15 GMT -6
Guess I should have clarified that I was looking for feedback from those that do find knee pads useful and can speak to this idea from their experience with the utilization of knee pads!! FTTF Used them the last three years, coach! Loved them and so did the boys. I cant exactly remember the brand(s), we used. I know it was an assortment. We got ours on overstock from a Play It Again Sports in our area that my uncle owns.
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Post by holmesbend on Apr 9, 2015 17:04:05 GMT -6
To add onto what Key said, it didn't really matter what brand. After the initial 50 or so we're bought, I maybe had to replace 10-12 a year and those were mostly for all of the linemen.
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Post by coachwoodall on Apr 11, 2015 20:13:55 GMT -6
We use the girdle that is everything but the knee pad. Kid only have to put a knee pad in their pants. I don't get the whole, ''we're not going.....'' thing. The entire season has a hot/non-pant period of about about 4 weeks if you're at my latitude or below. Plus, the kids have to wear them in the game anyway, why not get them acclimated to condition of the game; isn't that what practice is for? Also, I've never seen a thud/non-contact/light day/etc.... where a kid didn't do to the ground; intentional or not. If you want to have a Don Ho practice then just say so. Not to hijack the thread, but because I don't want 2? I mean if it's not for you cool. But we don't wear knee pads period, I would love to wear the volleyball pads, but haven't gotten around to it. I think it worked fine for us not wearing knee pads, guess I need to try it again and see. Coach Whip, I apologize if I came off in an offensive manner. I was not attacking you and this choice specifically. I was attempting to make a general statement about thud speed/no contact/conditioning players in general. I often forget that tone is not reflected in this setting.
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Post by coachbliz on Apr 12, 2015 12:14:34 GMT -6
I'm going into my 4th yr w a JV program that allowed these knee pads. I've move up the chain now and we no longer use them at my request. Just found that kids complained too much for be being allowed to wear them during a game or would forget to put knee pads in game day. So it avoided that hassle and created creatures of habit this year. Also we have maybe 2 weeks of shorts weather (Canada) so its of little use..
Not sure of our brand, but I do know it was a heavy cloth and in the previous years they did hold up quite well. We had our best season last year in a long time. Can't say its directly linked to NOT wearing these of course. But i'm my view, I seen limited difference in having them or not.
And for people saying they dont take their kids to the ground etc. We do, just limit it as much as we can. Or drills that start on knees etc. I like the idea of having protection due to field conditions. We are on grass. Never know if you will find rocks or glass etc in areas. Rather have the knee covered for that reason alone.
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 13, 2015 13:49:34 GMT -6
I got the idea after watching spring ball at Arizona State. Their OL-DL were HUGE and they practiced in girdles/shorts and pull up knee pads. We adopted it and I'll never go back. Their practice was full speed and so is ours. We do take care of our players and we will wrap and drive but we do not dump our players. Sure kids fall down, but I'll still argue the pullup knee pads are safer than the practice pants I used to checkout that had rips/holes etc.
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Post by fantom on Apr 13, 2015 16:24:47 GMT -6
I'm not trying to convince anybody either way. The only thing that I'll say is that it seems like an unnecessary expense.
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Post by IronmanFootball on Apr 13, 2015 17:00:23 GMT -6
I'm not trying to convince anybody either way. The only thing that I'll say is that it seems like an unnecessary expense. We're making the kids provide their cleats, shorts, vb knee pads, and girdle. We provide helmet, shoulder pads, practice jersey, mouthpiece. Our kids lose more knee pads than any program I've ever been apart of. Now they are their's to lose unless it's game day, and on game day I will collect them all in a bucket.
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Post by hsrose on Apr 13, 2015 19:26:09 GMT -6
Expense - Starting out with a new team, with no equipment, so everything has to be purchased. Per our school regulations we have to provide everything that is required to play, 1 time only, to each player.
Volleyball approach: $40, per player cost at my school. Probably 25 per year, $1000 per year. 5-pad girdle - $30 Knee pad (for game pants) $2 each Volleyball-type knee pad for practice - $8 pair Inventory carried - Minimal, a few extra for forgetters. No turn in, no storage, no replacement.
Practice pant approach: $46 initial/startup cost Practice pants - $20 (white, nylon, lasts just a couple of seasons) Thigh pad, pair - $12 Knee pads - $2 Hip & tail pads, slotted, 3-pieces - $12 Inventory - pants, thigh, hip, knee, tail. Some recurring expense as things wear out, Based on expected new player cost for volleyball style that $1000 would replace 21 complete sets each year.
Not trying to go overboard on this, it was an analysis that I needed to do myself and this was the opportunity. Interesting results.
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Post by coachdawhip on Apr 14, 2015 4:08:47 GMT -6
Not to hijack the thread, but because I don't want 2? I mean if it's not for you cool. But we don't wear knee pads period, I would love to wear the volleyball pads, but haven't gotten around to it. I think it worked fine for us not wearing knee pads, guess I need to try it again and see. Coach Whip, I apologize if I came off in an offensive manner. I was not attacking you and this choice specifically. I was attempting to make a general statement about thud speed/no contact/conditioning players in general. I often forget that tone is not reflected in this setting. Coach I understand. Another reason why I am glad I did it was highschoolsports.blog.ajc.com/2015/04/13/ghsa-restricts-full-contact-in-football-practice-puts-basketball-qf-back-to-neutral-courts/GA just restricted the amount of full pad contact during the week. And we are a football state
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Post by joris85 on Apr 14, 2015 4:50:01 GMT -6
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jeremiahd86
Freshmen Member
Poise Gentlemen... Champs Dont Choke
Posts: 40
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Post by jeremiahd86 on Apr 14, 2015 9:08:51 GMT -6
we've done away with practice pants. our kids wear shorts and volleyball knee pads for everything except games including our scrimmages. We've done it for the past 3 years and the guys love it... Its never full gear and always full gear at the same time.
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Post by CoachHess on Apr 14, 2015 9:30:01 GMT -6
Used them when I was an assistant. Most of the coaches and the players disliked them.
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Post by coachbliz on Apr 14, 2015 11:22:23 GMT -6
For the guys that like the idea of allowing these pads - what do you do in cold weather (I'm Canadian, so at the end of the season we can be close to the freezing point out there. And do you find you repeat yourself way too many times for the pads to be pulled up during contact periods. As in, do you feel its one more thing to have to check that really shouldn't be taking up your time?
I was really against this idea as stated above. Went so far as being able to change our team back to practice pants. But after reading these thoughts, I'm starting to change my view. Who knew such a simple thing could lead to a decent discussion like this.
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Post by joris85 on Apr 14, 2015 11:41:37 GMT -6
I feel that on contact periods, there even is no need to mention it. When they forget after the first time, they'll pull it up soon after they hit the ground, especially if the ground's frozen. It's not like it will injure them, at worst they'll have a dirty knee or a scar.
Big difference from "forgetting" to wear a mouthpiece, where the negative impact can be much more devastating. I hate having to reply THAT!
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jeremiahd86
Freshmen Member
Poise Gentlemen... Champs Dont Choke
Posts: 40
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Post by jeremiahd86 on Apr 15, 2015 10:28:47 GMT -6
i was totally against it as a head coach until i saw:
-it was cost efficient -it raised team morale -changed the pace of practice
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red
Freshmen Member
Posts: 71
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Post by red on Apr 15, 2015 11:35:28 GMT -6
Have worn integrated girdle and shorts for 5 years, no knee pads at all. Never have had a single injury because of it.. Practice full speed in as many practice sessions as possible. However we practice on turf and dont have a frozen field to worry about. Practice pants are a great "motivator" for us if we have a bad practice. The players hate them.
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Post by CoachHess on Apr 15, 2015 21:34:33 GMT -6
Real simple rule we use....we win, you wear shorts/girdles next week. We lose, full gear. You practice in shorts and half @$$ it 1 time, we go full regardless.
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Post by Coach Bennett on Apr 27, 2015 11:57:49 GMT -6
Have worn integrated girdle and shorts for 5 years, no knee pads at all. Never have had a single injury because of it.. Practice full speed in as many practice sessions as possible. However we practice on turf and dont have a frozen field to worry about. Practice pants are a great "motivator" for us if we have a bad practice. The players hate them. No "knee knocks"? That's my fear...it's not the ground, it's knee to knee contact.
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Post by Coach Bennett on Apr 27, 2015 12:06:04 GMT -6
How about sizing? Did you basically just go all L/XL?
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Post by coachplaa on Apr 27, 2015 13:57:49 GMT -6
We order about 60% S/M, and 40% L/X. That is why I wear them, just for the knee to knee contact.
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Post by utchuckd on Jul 30, 2015 20:04:05 GMT -6
Quick update if anybody cares. We went to the volleyball knee pads/girdles/shorts for practice with my middle school team this year. One week into practice and getting very positive feedback from the kids. Most seem to really like it. I just have 5 pocket girdles now, they were more cost effective with buying knee pads too. Hopefully will move to integrated girdles at some point.
Thoughts at this point:
-I have to wash girdles daily now. When they were taking them home I would have one or two a day forget them then we had to check out a spare girdle to them for the day. Also I'm instituting a policy of if you don't have your girdle I'm not breaking out another one for you, you get to wear practice pants that day.
-Do you do anything to mark or number the knee pads? I got black ones and took them to a local print shop and had them press some numbers on. Waiting to see if they stay on. But I need some way to track who got which pair because they have to turn them in at the end of the year.
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Post by joris85 on Jul 31, 2015 0:50:05 GMT -6
I have played volleyball for years and used permanent marker to put a name on the inside. That seemed to work for me, although my knee pads were blue.
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