Every sport that is played professionally must have a standard dress code. Rugby, for instance, requires each player to have a rip-proof, well-fitting rugby jersey, short pair of shorts, a pair of knee-high socks and studded sports shoes. Other rugby gear include, shoulder pads, mouth guards, body armor and tights. Having the right gear not only ensures safety, but also increases each player’s comfort level on the pitch, making it possible for them to perform optimally. The following are some important factors to consider when buying rugby uniforms.
i) Size
When buying uniforms for a team, the sizing matters. Jerseys should be well-fitting and made from a material that can stretch a little bit. They should never be too tight or loose-fitting. The sleeves should also be short and elastic. Ideally, the chest and arm-size of each player should be measured before a jersey is selected. Rugby shorts should be short and well fitting, but not too short or too tight. The waistline should be made from elastic material and come with a string to secure it in place. Cotton is the favorite material for making rugby uniforms, but other materials can also be used, provided they meet the minimum requirements. Rugby socks should be knee-high and just tight enough to hold onto the legs during the game. They should also be comfortable enough to be worn inside a pair of studded rugby boots.
ii) Seams
Rugby is a rough sport. During a game, there are many instances where both the jersey and shorts of a player can be torn. For instance, line-outs and scrum-downs require players to hold the shorts of other players when binding and engaging the opponents. When playing the game, opponents can hold onto the ball-carrier’s clothing to execute a tackle. If the seams of the rugby uniform are not reinforced with extra lining inside, they will be torn into pieces.
iii) Buttons
Most rugby uniform manufacturers nowadays make jerseys without collars and buttons. However, if you intend to buy a jersey design that comes with buttons, make sure the buttons are made of rubber for safety reasons. Hard buttons can injure a player after an odd tackle. They will also need to be replaced after almost every game since the button will pop off every time an opponent holds a player’s jersey to execute a tackle.
A rugby uniform should also be brightly coloured and numbered to indicate the player’s playing position.
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