Why do footballers cut their socks?
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- Опубліковано 1 бер 2023
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Football and fashion has long been interlinked. Especially during the rise of the Premier League era, players have found creative ways to add a personal touch to their kits in an attempt to look stylish on the pitch.
But a recent phenomenon has seen players starting to cut varying sizing holes into their socks. Is it for performance reasons, or purely to add some further flair to their appearence?
Written by Seb Stafford-Bloor writes and illustrated by Henry Cooke.
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#premierleague #footballkit - Спорт
Jack Grealish’s matchday kit is slowly evolving into a “sexy Halloween costume” version of a football kit. His shorts nearly fit like the cycling variety at this point.
FFS! Bro's got that Alisha Lehman fit 😳🤣
Im here for it, keep on slutty Grealish
Jack definitely got that wagon!
Dude is like if Joe Ferigno borrowed Bill Bixby’s kit.
At this point I’d be more upset if he wore it as intended
I want a video about the knee sliding goal celebration trend
Cool idea
I want to know what the pointing to the head celebration is all about.
@@carnifex2005 brain innit as rashy would say
@@carnifex2005 like for kimmich it’s about being a mentality monster
@@carnifex2005 mentality
Every time I see this it just baffles me that they're not making customised socks for the players who need/think they need them. It's crazy how sportswear brands are spending millions to have their goods appear as unfit for purpose.
Bukayos favorite socks hack 🤣🔥
If the compression socks are too tight (which shouldn't happen at a high level, but it can, and certainly at lower levels if players aren't careful), they can actually REDUCE blood flow to the lower legs and cause extra exhaustion. A wrestler last year had that happen when he bought new compression socks before a big televised match and late on was visibly struggling (and not just acting the part). After the match, the medical team informed him it was due to the excessive tightness of his socks restricting blood flow to his feet and ankles.
Boom boom Charles
@@tomc-d8491 Someone saw the same Whatculture Wrestling list, I see. :P
@@JimTheFlyI didn't, haven't watched WC since Cultaholic formed. But did hear about the Colt Cabana story
@@tomc-d8491 Fair play. I think I had them come up because I watch WC's gaming stuff and occasionally like a bit of Simon.
I wore an Alice band when I played football as a teenager but it wasn't due to David Beckham - I just had shoulder length hair which got in my eyes if it wasn't tied back.
I'm bald now so wearing them doesn't make so much sense.
at the time everyone had long hair, even i, and i'm also (nearly) bald now
Pish posh!! What I wouldn’t have given for a fancy pants Alice band. All we had were elasticated terrycloth sweatband/headband things that had to be knotted to fit tightly enough and we liked it!
Happened to me as kid, I was wearing this socks given by the team, Nike of Nylon and Polyester, and I was getting cramps every match, Doctors said it would be to lack of Magnesium and potasium, I changed my diet to fix this, and cramps were still a thing, until I switched teams, new team kit included the normal cheap cotton socks and cramps were gone.
I wonder if it helps them cool off a bit? a little more air circulation
Anybody who has played football with compression socks will know that, although they significantly reduce the chances of cramp, they make the legs feel heavier and slower.
Can you do a video about Sam Allardyce's one game in charge of England?
Arab blood money cheats
@@ERICSHUN12345 Irrelevant.
@@ERICSHUN12345 City really do live in everyone's heads hahahaha
@@Brandon-nq7ys American be quiet
@@ERICSHUN12345 every single billionaires on the planet has arguably gained blood money, so your point is mute
I noticed that some players have a different color sock on that is no show and just a shin cover to put over there shin guard. Never thought that was allowed to be worn but I guess it's easier to remove.
Oooh I think I know what this is. Some players wear their own socks (because they're used to them/they're comfy/whatever) but obviously they still need to have the team socks so they cut the foot of the team socks off and just wear the part that goes over your shin so they can have both.
Supposed to only have black or white socks that can go up to the ankle. Some get away with it more blatantly than others
yeah this way they avoid the sock sliding down so they dont have to constantly pull them back up
Thanks for this video. I've been trying to work out why they do these things to their kits.
I never saw Shaqiri put holes in his socks while at Liverpool, and if Xherdan Shaqiri isn't doing it, then surely there's no need for anyone to do it.
What!
Different body's mate so what your saying doesn't stand up 🤣🤣🤣
@@mrmango1322 hes trolling and you took the bait
@@gunshotNrun Thanks mate 🤣🤣🤣
We need UA-cam police like you 🤡
If anyone has struggled with calf cramps before less tight fitting socks help a lot. I’m not saying it helps with blood circulation, but it’s more of if something is squeezing tight against your muscle your muscles will naturally tense up against the resistance, so now your muscle is working more than normally and making it easier to cramp. Of course I’m not a Dr., but I know I experience this when I used to wear shin sleeves under my socks to hold my shin pads in place and would cramp more often, ditched them and never really cramped again
Robbie Fowlers nose plaster was to help him breathe (maybe too many sidelines 😁)
As someone with compartment syndrome, even something as simple as how I set up my knee pads (I'm a keeper) can make a difference for how bad my condition flares up.
I'm looking forward to seeing (or hearing!) your improvement as a voiceover artist in the coming months and years. 🙂
I always thought it helped to prevent cramps. The tension or tightness can create a greater proclivity for cramps, so you cut holes to reduce the tension on the muscles.
Your are right it helps the muscles
If it helped for anything they would produce them like that. It is simply that the football players are not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed
@@mrmango1322 the doctor literally said it doesn't in the video. Your medical training is?
@@gordonkelly once again everyone is different. I'm sure people know their own bodies mate...BUT wait the doctor said!!! 🤣🤣🤣
@@gordonkelly I don't know what you want from me 🤣 it's a youtube video not a hardcore fact. Footballers have said when the socks are new their too tight after all that running their word not mine
The doctor said 🤣🤣🤣
That one has made my day mate 🤣🤣🤣
If it's more comfortable it isn't a placebo.
People perform better when they are more comfortable. That's a fact.
Amen!
I wonder since when the players put their shirts out of their shorts. I remember they would get carded when they did that back in the 90s
Hi,
Can you share a video regarding quick free kicks, incidents happened and the legality of such free kicks?
Great narration Seb 👌
Thank you so much for this
Jordi cruyff I think was underrated for his time at united . We got him cheap for just under £1m. He was a regular player under his father at Barcelona and wanted shut of jordi after his father left under a cloud.
He was decent for Holland and in his first 3 games for united in 1997 he scored 2 goals. Unfortunately for him though he was striving for favour in a team with the class of 92 and was more or less sidelined most of the time: he provided great cover for the treble season and was at the club for 5 years , for a cheap bargain he was absolutely worth it
An interesting add-on to your point: Should Aston Villa get a stadium upgrade? Maybe Sevilla size?
My initial thought was maybe to allow better coverage if a player uses a spray on heat rub? Like reapplying mid game, not sure
respectfully, I'd like to disagree. I am a sunday league player myself with relatively big calfs, but not huge. I noticed how the socks especially after washing them a couple of times get tighter and cramps start to kick in sooner when i wear them. So I came up with the idea of cutting holes, even before I ever saw it on a pro on TV. I actually thought it looks kind of ridiculous and unstylish but I did feel better with holes in the socks. Was really surprised when I saw the first pro player who did the same. I always thought they would just get access to bigger socks
Yeah. That’s exactly what I always believed. It’s to help prevent cramping. Too much tension on the muscles can create a greater proclivity for cramping.
Didn't the video provide an actual professional source saying there's no scientific basis for cutting holes in socks? I'm guessing that perhaps what you experience is in your mind
@@tdb1726 It's like he didn't even watch the video
@@tdb1726 also, when the socks are brand new they are smooth and soft af, and pro teams are definitely not gonna reuse last week's kit.
Theirs no scientific bases for that LOL. Elite teams dont have to re use kit now whats the excuse for them SMH.
You know, on the way to the field players had to face dragons,tigers and fashion dilemma 😂
I used to the think the tears occur due to tackles and the rough and tumble that occur during the course of a game as I had never noticed them (i.e. I never looked out for them) at the beginning of a game and only noticed when a player is down injured or when they are walking off at half time / full time
Anyone who knows what footballers are often like, would surmise that there is almost definitely an element of superstition involved in the choice of some in cutting the holes. If they cut a hole, then score a goal, or get a clean sheet etc, there's a fair chance theyll do the same thing next week to reproduce the 'conditions' that have seemed lucky for them previously
Top comment!
I can see this being banned soon, with Nike/Adidas etc providing ultralight sock options.
I want a video with the previous VO man
@tifo, can you make a video on why (mostly younger) footballers pull their socks over their knees
TIFO literally makes a video on every single topic
I needed this video soooo bad😅
Never got the short shin protectors. I want those ankle protectors.
The one thing we know about footballers, a myth doesn't have to be true, as long as its widely believed, it becomes the gospel truth to every player. Even if said myth can easily be debunked later.
Yup. It doesn't need to be true, as long as the players are not 100% believers in the truth.
Letting them do as they please allows them to have mental comfort. They can't blame the socks for their performance, even if the socks had nothing to do with it
The video I’ve been waiting for
“It won’t do anything other than added comfort”
Sounds like a pretty good reason to do it…
Can you review the ISL incident that happened between KBFC and BFC. Can quick free kicks be taken when the game has been paused.
It's all about comfort some socks are unnecessary super tight.
Holes in socks is to prevent over heating on calves the socks and to show how broke you are😢..... but science says otherwise 🙄 🤔 pesky science
I just noticed the sock cutting thing for the first time during the Arsenal vs Everton game a few days ago.
"...And will provide nothing but added comfort.". You say that like it's a bad or unnecessary thing, as if the holes serve no purpose. But the comfort is kinda the point. I can distinctly remember times my calves would cramp up if my socks were too tight. I don't care if it's not "medically proven"... It's proven on the field. You think Jack Grealish can actually fit into those things?!? He has to wear them sideways. It's not just "a fad"... It's legit. I WISH I would have been able to cut holes in my socks!!!
Never even knew they did this 😂
Me too
@@Hafris33 Never saw/recognized it either...
_(I want the old narrator back)_
I always thought the holes had been caused by a crunching tackle in game
This is a ridiculous trend and clubs should start a more ecological approach on the sports equipment they waste and allow wasting. If I was club owner I'd fine players for purposefully damaging the equipment and would encourage a more frequent re-use of the uniforms, other equipment and water. Sometimes you just see a player opening a bottle just to water their mouths and then throw it to the ground without lid letting the water go to waste. It's absurd.
When I worded at 1.FC Kaiserslautern _(Bundesliga Champions in 91 and 98)_ the 90's, they still washed the jerseys after matchday.
I really don't know why they need to wear a brand new jersey every match...
Polyester football socks are horrendous. They slide around inside your boot, even when it's tied up tight and give you bad blisters and even potential ankle injuries. I've had both from wearing these socks and just won't wear them anymore, unless I cut the feet off and wear some cotton socks underneath them, and I know a lot of pro players do the same.
These socks are not some high-tech kit engineered for peak performance. They are worse than your typical cotton sock, and are pretty much made the way they are in order to be cheap to mass produce and sell for profit. The pro's get given the same standard socks that anybody can buy in a sports shop, and they're clearly not too happy with them. Sportswear brands have dropped the ball on their football socks and need to do better, but I don't think they care that much as long as they are maximising profits.
Clubs should ideally focus more on getting the players the equipment that they want, rather than forcing them to wear the kit that the sponsor pays them to wear. The clubs and kit makers are more at fault than the players.
Daniel Sturridge used to wear a tru-sox sock and cut his team sock and tape it over his trusox. They always used to fall down during the game, it drove me mad all the time.
Polyester football socks are horrendous. They slide around inside your boot, even when it's tied up tight and give you bad blisters and even potential ankle injuries. I've had both from wearing these socks and just won't wear them anymore, unless I cut the feet off and wear some cotton socks or trusox underneath them, and I know a lot of pro players do the same. Personally, I'm glad that Sturridge wore trusox, as with his injury record, he doesn't need any extra issues from his socks sliding about inside his boots and putting extra pressure on his glass ankles.
I have done this before, for two main reasons:
1.) I have hairy legs. Generally polyester clothing has a tighter weave than cotton garments, meaning that much more chance of my leg hairs catching in the material and basically being pulled out painfully while playing. Clumps of hair goes missing so I cut holes in the socks to reduce that chance in the worst areas.
2.) My legs get sticky after profusely sweating during a game. The holes around the sock helps wick away excess sweat and air blows through them when I run, keeping my legs cool.
I honestly think that kit manufacturers would have solved this problem by now if it was genuinely a hindrance to footballers, I think it has more to do with wanting to standout and be unique, other than colourful boots and hairstyle's, there isn't much left that footballers can do to look unique on the pitch. Look at Grealish as the perfect example, he's so desperate to be noticed with his alice band and socks round his ankles. It's never players like Chris Wood or James Milner is it
Nope. New socks are the worst. I wish I could have cut holes in my socks. It's just with new anything, there's only so much you can do until you break it in. Same with a baseball glove, or new shoes, new jeans, etc.
BTW, have you seen Grealish's calves?!! Those things are GINORMOUS. He's one player I completely understand doing it
@@therealking6202 I mean everyone's different but I don't think it's that bad of a problem, otherwise they would have started designing socks differently, like I said you never see "proper" players doing it, always the pretty boys
@@therealking6202 Grealish doesn't do it. Instead he wears short socks or folds them below the calves.
@@afckajjansi Exactly.
1:52 I really like how there’s a reverse version of this in the NBA, players think compression sleeves help increase blood flow and help with shooting, after a player did really well after wearing one. I mean which one is it? The forearms are the calves of the arms.
I wonder which one is correct tho, the video says compression on your legs decreases blood flow, even though they don’t since visceral veins on the legs can be prevented from compression socks. So I think people just don’t like the restrictiveness of the socks, but the decrease of blood flow is whack.
1:59 damn I literally just stopped the video and then played the next three seconds and it says basically what I said.
If players have to poke holes in their socks, then the socks aren't working. Let's get these guys some decent equipment. Doesn't seem too much to ask for the most popular sport in the world!
Compression-socks are gold though. I used to always get tired in my ankles and it reduced my ability to have a high work rate. Tried compression-socks, and my workrate almost doubled instantly, and no more tired ankles.
"everyone has seen this" I literally have never seen this. When I say the thumbnail I thought it was about spotted colored socks.
Well, now you're going to see it all the time. Once someone points it out to you, you can't help but see it.
a dr. raj cameo?!!! love that guy
I would like a video on why some players dont wear shin guards anymore
Ooooo a new animator !
I don't cut holes in my socks. They generally form near the toe part after I wear them for a bit
Have to remember these are teenagers and very young men. Your look is everything to half of them
I always wondered why athletes wear polyester socks.For me cotton socks are miles better because polyester gave me constant athletes foot for some reason.
Well, they play on a very wet surface and in the rain a lot. Wet poly blend > Wet cotton
Polyester wicks sweat away, cotton doesn't. Cotton absorbs up to 25 times it's own weight in water, this is why in the old days footballers would have ties at the top of their socks because when wet they wouldn't stay up.
My guess was that the socks get hot and they did that to keep their legs cool
Same as Alice bands, socks over the knees, Vik's vapour rub on the shirt's chest, etc..... They've seen another player do it and thought it's cool.
In fact, they just look like big girl's blouses !
*Heh, the more you know!*
*Cheers.*
Polyester football socks are horrendous. They slide around inside your boot, even when it's tied up tight and give you bad blisters and even potential ankle injuries. I've had both from wearing these socks and just won't wear them anymore, unless I cut the feet off and wear some cotton socks underneath them.
Under Armour make compression tights that have different bands of material for air flow and compression which are comfortable. I do not understand why a sock manufacturer cannot do the same thing for comfort if not for science. Weird.
I always thought that the players did a sliding tackle or something like that
been a football fan my whole life and i've never seen this before... complete news to me lol
It’s not just socks. I’ve seen the holes cut in elbows and that of under shirts, too.
Make a video on the controversial goal of Sunil Chhetri in the match between Bengaluru FC v Kerala Blasters FC on 3rd March, 2023.
I don't understand if it should've been a goal or not. And also, what should be the punishment for a team walking away from the match midway.
Alice band was not popularised by David beckham, he took that style from Spanish players when we went to Real Madrid
What about Karel Poborsky and Patrick Berger. If my memory serves at all, it was their arrival following Euro 96 that really introduced the band to English football
Dang i really don't know english are they saying that the doctor is suggesting there isn't any benefit to reducing the pressure of the socks? Cause during training I even will take off my socks which does give relief
I want a video on who started the finger on head celebration first...
stan wawrinka
a lame and pointless video
I just assumed the changing rooms were infested with angry stray cats
Have you done one on grip socks?
Grip socks have to be the single best item you can wear to improve comfort. If I play without my feet get destroyed and I constantly slip 🤣
Yeah, I wear them too, and they are so much better than the typical football socks in terms of reducing blisters and ankle problems by stopping your feet from sliding around in your boot so much.
Great subject, but I didn't see anything where a footballer or football coach was asked why the holes exist......
I've never noticed this.
It's actually more to do with them tightening over time after being washed and dried
Patrick Berger wore an Alice band years before Beckham
Trend & completely new levels of human discontent ... in addition to the almost annihilation of respect and shyness
this is in my opinion why
we can also see that in almost every aspect of the modern era
for example, nowadays even normal clothes - brand new - are showcased with holes
20 years ago, we used to be ashamed if our trousers got holes and our mothers did their best to cover them somehow
now, with the explosion of alleged freedom calls, some humans are overdoing things just for the sake of showing themselves ,,, no matter how absurd and even rejected that is for Man's nature
You made a video acknowledging that players cut holes in their socks but the reasoning is there is no reason
Ha. They've just called out those Sunday league types with all the gear and no idea.
Foot blurs?
I have never ever seen or even heard about this untill now.
Quiet day at the Tifo Football office I guess!🤣
Reduce drag for straight line speed.
If the socks are too tight just size up. Holes in the socks should not be allowed.
Gonna be a pain in the arse for parents when kids start doing this without even knowing why! 🤣
Nah, holes in my sock definitely help out, I always ran about more labored during my games when I had tight socks
And there's me thinking it was just vanity.
I too would rather wear ankle high football socks if shin pads aren't required for the circumstances
I deadass thought they were just cuts from tackles
Have never seen players with holes cut in their socks
Where is joes voice? This is strange
What happened to the old narrator?
He's a great voice for the channel. He's still around though, at least I hope he is
He's moved to The Great British Bake Off...
@@abuibu I miss the old narrator desperately! His voice was iconic...
I want the other narrator🥲🥲🥲
you want Joe 😅😅
@@moletsanepencilart Joe mama
@@moletsanepencilart I want the old narrator back desperately!
Is his name Joe?
I always hated wearing football socks, very uncomfortable on my calf muscles.
I literally have never seen or heard.of this, been watching football 30 years lol
Curious about players rolling their shorts legs up too I saw ronaldo do this in training a few years back now it seems to be a trend and notice it more n more also players these days go mad with tape on wrists and hands like Benzema who does this for purpose from a previous broken finger is this just players trying to start trends or stand out against the grain?
Taping is done to reduce the chance for sprains and injuries. When you fall and have to brace yourself, it helps prevent a wrist injuries and such. That is usually the reason.
Rolling shorts felt nice tbh when training in hot conditions or when you just train everyday.
What's common between _Khvicha Kvaratskhelia & Jack Grealish?_
Not only both are left wingers, they both wear very short socks at alarming rates!!!
At times i wonder how does *shin pads* fit in those very short socks, apparently it does 😐😐
To think there are people who get angry at this stuff. We truly live in a tabloidocracy.
I thought Saka was the only one who did this lool