# How does a cloth Jockstrap protect you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 4, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486 "2003-10-04T03:05:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carver42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@carver42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carver42)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/1 "2003-10-04T03:05:01Z")
I’ve seen the plastic cups, but in high school, we wore cloth jockstraps. Just elastic cloth holding them against the body - not that much protection.:eek: :eek: :eek: Does anybody know how they are supposed to work? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Obvious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@Mr.Obvious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Obvious)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/2 "2003-10-04T03:14:16Z")
I think the rationale was the closer the jewels, the less likely they are to get hit by the projectile (e.g., baseball). Guess what…they didn’t work…my right one can speak to this fact…fastball in the dirt, bounced of the plate…score…a direct hit…worst pain I’ve ever had…until I got kidneystones…but that’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/3 "2003-10-04T03:16:23Z")
By holding in place the polypropelene cup that does the actual protection. I’m not sure why one would be told to wear a strap without the cup, although I guess that holding the scrotum closer to the body would reduce its size as a target and reduce movement in which it might incur injury. ---
**Author:** ![Siegfried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Siegfried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siegfried)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/4 "2003-10-04T03:17:07Z")
My cousin played lots of sports when we were growing up. I asked him that question once. He told me that the cloth jockstraps weren’t so much about protecting the genitals as it was holding them close to the body and hold them in position. All that jumping, bouncing, running, squatting, etc., can get uncomfortable and sometimes painful with the lads banging around. I’ll see if I can find a cite, since I hate posting in General Questions without backup. ---
**Author:** ![carver42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc8723/32.png) [@carver42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carver42)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/5 "2003-10-04T03:21:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > \*\*I’m not sure why one would be told to wear a strap without the cup, \*\* The guys that played baseball wore cups. But everyone in our class didn’t. I kind of doubt that this one class got it wrong. But then again, that is why I asked. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/6 "2003-10-04T03:30:49Z")
Ok, I’m going to reveal my ignorance here (and this as a baseball catcher who always had a sneaking suspicion he was doing it the wrong way): Does the cup go in the little pocket on the front of the jock? Or is it supposed to just go inside the entire jock, like I was putting the cup on inside a pair of briefs? ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/7 "2003-10-04T03:42:21Z")
Well, at MY high school the jock was to keep one’s goodies from twisting up. I saw it happen to a guy once, it was awful (tennis player - up at the net and then down in agony). The cup goes in the pocket in front if you’re playing (US) football or catching in baseball. Didn’t need a cup for track or playing 1st base. ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/8 "2003-10-04T12:06:19Z")
I remember that there was some explanation to the effect that the jockstrap prevented hernia, but [this extensive article](http://jckftsh.tripod.com/main/id4.html) seems to say that may have been advertising hype by Sears. It says the jock strap was developed originally for jockeys (natch) and bike riders–and even mentions frostbite of the penis. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/9 "2003-10-04T13:35:49Z")
I always thought of it as a bra for balls. My boys can get sore with running and jostling, and can rub in just the wrong way at times, causing rash. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/10 "2003-10-04T14:11:56Z")
frostbite of the penis?? That must be why mine is always looking for a warm place. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/11 "2003-10-04T15:09:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\*Ok, I’m going to reveal my ignorance here (and this as a baseball catcher who always had a sneaking suspicion he was doing it the wrong way): > > Does the cup go in the little pocket on the front of the jock? Or is it supposed to just go inside the entire jock, like I was putting the cup on inside a pair of briefs? \*\* I told my son to put the cup in the pocket. What other use could the pocket have? ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/12 "2003-10-04T15:18:49Z")
Never even seen one of these things, but my WAG is that surely in the pocket? Then you can wash the cloth jock that has been in contact with yer sweaty bollox, and re-use the cup? ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/13 "2003-10-04T16:00:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KRM \* > \*\*What other use could the pocket have? \*\* Wallet, watch, spectacles…? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/14 "2003-10-04T16:43:46Z")
About 5% of males have testicles which really do hang low. And I’m talking mid-thigh here. These benefit from a cloth jock. The rest of us guys should definitely add a cup to the cloth part if we’re doing contact sports. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/15 "2003-10-04T16:55:57Z")
sailor: Thank you. I laughed for a solid five minutes after reading your post. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/16 "2003-10-04T16:58:57Z")
KRM: I used to use the pocket to hold my key, same as I did with the pocket in my daily underwear then. Yes, I realize that’s good fodder for jokes. Go for it! ---
**Author:** ![doctordoowop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@doctordoowop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctordoowop)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/17 "2003-10-04T21:27:57Z")
UncleBill is correct- a bra for huevos-as simple as that-“athletic shorts” if you will. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/18 "2003-10-04T23:45:36Z")
Keeps you from treading upon your johnson. ---
**Author:** ![bojon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bojon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bojon)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/19 "2003-10-04T23:56:36Z")
If you are rjfa and you “catch a nut”, you remember why some do not wear boxers. ---
**Author:** ![doctordoowop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@doctordoowop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctordoowop)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486/20 "2003-10-05T01:20:14Z")
DocQ -testicles to mid thigh? In someone w/o a hernia? Are you a doctor for humans or horses? Oh yeah,just remembered you work in prisons - you see everything there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-cloth-jockstrap-protect-you/205486.md?page=2)