Do all our OL automatically wear

[SpokaneCY]

knee braces? Seems like every single one has had them on but I don't see many DL wearing them.

[Transient]

its mandatory in college now for along time I believe.

[IStateFisherman]

I did not know that. It makes sense I guess.

[isuarch80]

it's not "mandatory", but yes, they all wear them on the advice of the medical staff and coaches. OL put so much weight and torque on their knees, plus, most of the time, they're legs/feet aren't in a natural position. Look at a long time OL and you'll see they walk with their toes pointing outwards because of the sleds and chutes that they train on make them keep their base so low. the knee braces help with the serious injuries, and hopefully they won't have serious walking problems when they're in their 40's.

[bhoodjer]

Originally Posted by isuarch80

it's not "mandatory", but yes, they all wear them on the advice of the medical staff and coaches. OL put so much weight and torque on their knees, plus, most of the time, they're legs/feet aren't in a natural position. Look at a long time OL and you'll see they walk with their toes pointing outwards because of the sleds and chutes that they train on make them keep their base so low. the knee braces help with the serious injuries, and hopefully they won't have serious walking problems when they're in their 40's.

I know that it was mandatory during the Mac era. My buddy graduated 5 years ago and he still talks about how much he used to hate wearing those things. But I am sure about the current regime.

[kingcy]

Originally Posted by isuarch80

it's not "mandatory", but yes, they all wear them on the advice of the medical staff and coaches. OL put so much weight and torque on their knees, plus, most of the time, they're legs/feet aren't in a natural position. Look at a long time OL and you'll see they walk with their toes pointing outwards because of the sleds and chutes that they train on make them keep their base so low. the knee braces help with the serious injuries, and hopefully they won't have serious walking problems when they're in their 40's.

Dont forget there are always players falling down around and on them, legs getting twisted up, and those piles.

[dinger]

i saw a few if not all of the DL wearing them as well

[clone2011]

It's generally not mandatory by the coaches--it's mandatory by the athletic training staffs, and therefore comes across as imposed by the coach.

[ajk4st8]

Often times these are worn in practice for sure... but sometimes during games.


I do know research was done a few years ago on Big 10 offensive lineman post ACL reconstruction and there was no conclusive evidence that the brace actually helps to prevent future reinjury.

But any chance of preventing a freak injury to a lineman in practice is well worth the prevention.

[ISUFan22]

Originally Posted by clone2011

It's generally not mandatory by the coaches--it's mandatory by the athletic training staffs, and therefore comes across as imposed by the coach.

Right. Each staff decides that.

Those are rather nice, and expensive, braces. I have one of 'em myself...not for the same reasons they do though.