Gifts For The Contact Crowd

Hanukkah is past, but there is still Christmas, Kwanzaa, certainly a few birthdays and New Year's Eve. Somewhere there is room for a couple of rugby related gifts for the rugby player in your life.  Besides, the kids needs these things anyway if they are playing tackle, so just pretend they are gifts and you have two gifts crossed off you list this holiday season.

A Mouthguard - These are essential for protecting your teeth.  Everyone needs to be wearing a mouthguard if we are to have a tackle scrimmage or a match with another club. Go ahead, get one now and wear it during practice so you can get used to it.  Read the instructions.  You usually have to boil them and then bite them to get the fit right. Dick's Sporting Goods have a huge selection but other places will have them as well. Unfortunately, getting the right size is a bit of trial and error. You might want to try an inexpensive one first.  Most of the Middle School kids can probably wear an adult small.

Compression Shorts - You gotta keep everything in place, ya know?  Also, rugby shorts are very durable making them a bit uncomforatable. Compressions shorts help.  If someone pulls your shorts off while tackling you, you will be glad you have compression shorts underneath (see video below).  Target and Old Navy have compression shorts for under $20.