Playing a fun, casual game at the beach doesn't really need volleyball knee pads. However, if you’re into some serious play or just playing on a hard, rough surface then you definitely need to invest in some good quality knee pads to minimize the risk of any knee injuries. Now, we know what you’re thinking, won’t people make fun of you for being the only one to wear knee pads to a volleyball game? The answer is, maybe. But wearing protection and protecting something as delicate as knees is more important than caring about what unintelligent people think. Here’s why wearing a volleyball kneepad is important.
Why Should I Wear A Volleyball Kneepad?
Although all professional volleyball players don’t wear a kneepad, many who care about their knees still wear them and that is because you can never be too careful when protecting yourself from the inevitable scratches and bruises you sustain from a simple game of volleyball. Since the sport requires you to dive in front of the ball, it can cause great harm to your knees.
Depending on your needs and the position you play, there are different types of volleyball knee pads that you can decide according to what fits you best.
Now, we know wearing a volleyball knee pad is not completely necessary, not even in professional tournaments but in order to avoid any unfortunate accidents, it is always better to be prepared. Wearing knee pads can protect you from many serious injuries such as:
Torn ACL
The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is the most fragile while also being the most significant ligament found in your knee and we’re sure you don’t want to tear it down just because you care about how wearing a knee pad may look and accidentally twisting or bending your knee too far out. This injury is very serious and can keep you unable to walk for a long time. In severe cases, you might even need surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Meniscus Tears
Another gruesome knee injury that can occur is the meniscus tears that happen from twisting your knee during squatting or by a direct blow to it which usually happens in games of volleyball. This is a super painful injury that can easily be prevented by a knee pad.
Jumper’s Knee
The Jumper’s Knee, known as the Patellar Tendonitis, occurs when you rupture the patella tendon which can cause aching and stiffness, something you can easily prevent with the use of a kneepad.
Chondromalacia Patella
And lastly, we have this injury that occurs from overuse of your knee and can even lead to surgery and rendering you unable to play volleyball for the rest of your life. Yes, it CAN get as serious as that which is why you shouldn’t wait around for an injury to happen and regret afterwards when you can protect your knees now and spend the rest of your life playing a sport that you love.
How To Choose The Best Volleyball Kneepad?
Size
When choosing the best knee pad, make sure you pay special attention to the size of it. The knee pad should fit you perfectly otherwise it will be like wearing nothing at all. A knee pad that is either too tight or too loose will leave you making adjustments to the pad during the game, making you unfocused and overall uncomfortable. The best way to make sure your knee pad is the perfect size is to measure the circumference of your knee and map it onto the size chart so you can opt for the right fit for you.
Padding
The main objective of a knee pad is to protect your knees so getting one that does not have adequate padding won’t make a lot of sense. The padding on your knee pad should be enough to keep you nice and protected while also not being too much that it restricts your movement.
Position
Depending on the position you play in your volleyball team, you may require a specific sort of pad. If you are prone to diving then you need something with extra padding.
Durability
Your knee pads shouldn’t just last you for the duration of the practice games and then fall apart when the big game rolls around. It should be durable enough for long term use otherwise you will have to keep replacing your knee pads every month which is a huge waste of time, money and even energy.
Breathability
Knee pads, much like other padding safetywear, should have ample ventilation and breathability so that you don’t have to suffer from rashes while protecting yourself from a different kind of pain. And of course, in any kind of sport, sweating is inevitable but that doesn’t mean you let the bad odour consume you when you can opt for knee pads with enough room for the air to pass through.
FAQs
How tight should my volleyball knee pads be?
Your volleyball knee pads should always fit the shape of your leg. They should fit you snugly but not be too tight that they cut your circulation off. You want something that is fitted onto your knees’ shape but doesn’t come loose when you’re hopping around playing the game.
How can I prevent my knee pads from slipping?
Even with the right fit knee pads, you can sometimes find your knee pads to slip. One way to prevent this from happening is to wear a regular pair of long socks or just a normal pad below your knee pad so everything is snug there and your knee pad has enough friction to prevent them from slipping.
Can I use regular pads instead of volleyball knee pads?
Knee pads are designed for various uses which is why you need a pair that is suitable for your particular needs. So while regular knee pads can adequately get the job done, it will be much more beneficial and comfortable for your knees to have something that has been specifically designed for that purpose. Hence, volleyball knee pads are recommended for volleyball players.