Due to volleyball nature of playing that involves moves where players could fall in the floor (sometimes brutally), it is very important to consider some protection measures! One of them is the use of elbow pads …
Indeed, Elbow pads are often used by volleyball players to help reduce the impact of landing on hard floors. The latter could cause bruising and other injuries. Usually all team players need using those pads, but there are some positions that need more protection than others because of the nature of their assigned tasks.
In this article I help you understand in-depth the importance of elbow pads and how they should be properly used. I also provide some alternatives that you might find interesting for your elbow protection.
Why do volleyball players wear elbow pads?
Elbow pads are usually used by defensive players. That is because those who operate in the back line, like liberoes, will be spending a lot more time on the floor than blockers or outside hitters.
The actions involved in digs and saves often means sprawling fully length around the court, and the shock this causes will need to be absorbed by the arms , elbows, and shoulders.
Elbow pads help to minimize this!
There are a number of benefits to wearing elbow pads.
Cushioning
The arms and the elbows in particular can take heavy punishment in all the sprawling and sliding that takes place during volleyball games.
Wearing pads will not reduce this but it will help to reduce the physical impact by providing vulnerable parts of the body with cushioning.
Reduces Pain due to Muscle tension
One of the primary advantages to wearing elbow pads is that they offer pain relief. When the muscles are not stressed, they get the rest that they actually need. Having the elbow free from any unnecessary movement gives it a chance to recover.
Prevents Chronis Injury
Playing any sort of sport that involves repetitive actions and overload on some parts of the body can pave the way for chronic injury, both in the short and the longer-term. Wearing elbow pads helps prevent this.
Elbow pad quick recommendation for volleyball …
Lingh elbow pads (Check it Here at Amazon) are suitable for almost all outdoor activities and many sports including volleyball!
They are constructed using honeycomb anti-collision technology which offers advanced protection against scratches, bruises, and other impacts in the elbow area.
They are also designed in such a way that the temperature of the arm muscles is regulated, and the flow of blood and circulation to the arm region increased.
They feature a soft silicon anti-skip strip which prevents the arm from slipping loose during exercise, but which is comfortable to wear at the same time.
Constructed from blended fabrics of polyamide and spandex, they are environmentally friendly, washable, and resistant to high temperatures.
What Elbow pads are made from?
Most important material that those pads are made from include:
Foam: Invariably this is a mixture of base materials like polymers, which are both soft and good for safety. They protect the elbows from injury and abrasions, and help provide better cushioning.
Nylon: known for its durability and is commonly used in elbow pads for covering and, in some cases, as a part of the padding.
Polyester: This synthetic fiber is used commonly in clothes and household furniture, but helps in strengthening support with elbow pads.
Rubber: This is often used for padding, not only because it is durable but it has the added benefit of being cheaper than a number of alternatives as well.
Chiffon: it is comprised of a number of different fabrics such as silk and nylon. One of its main uses is in lightweight clothes that are made up of breathable material. In elbow pads it is used for making sleeves and protective gear and helps both in regulating body temperatures, but also in sweat management.
Spandex: Frequently worn in volleyball practices … it is composed mainly of polyurethane, and is known for its highly elastic properties, making elbow pads stretchable and able to mold to the shape of the arms.
Which volleyball positions should wear elbow pads the most?
Elbow pads are mainly required by defensive players. Those who play in the backline like liberoes, will have the primary responsibility for fielding the serve from the other side.
They will often be required to throw themselves around the court with their arms outstretched, whether:
- To stop the ball hitting the ground
- Or to dig it up for the setter to begin the next attack.
This can cause a great deal of discomfort, leading both to short-term bruising and longer-term injuries like muscle strain. As a consequence, they are the players on a volleyball court who will benefit the most from wearing elbow pads.
That is not to say that players in the front line are immune from having to throw themselves around the court when the situation demands it, but it happens less frequently in their case.
And there are arguments why wearing such pads could be detrimental for both blockers and outside hitters,
That is because wearing them can impede arm and elbow movements. This is particularly true for outside hitters who need to be able to swing their shoulders and arms freely in order to impart the necessary direction and power on the ball when striking it.
What about arm sleeves for volleyball?
Arm sleeves have a different function from elbow pads. They are designed primarily to absorb some of the impact of passing and striking the ball, especially the actions of serving and spiking. They provide a layer of protection to the top surface of the arms, with some extending as far as the hands, with just a hole for the thumb to slide through.
Many players, once they are used to the game, consider them unnecessary because players adapt and get used to the impacts quickly in most circumstances.
That is not to say that they have no benefit – they can help prevent some abrasions from making contact with the floor, reducing the chance of injury, And, for those who have been injured previously, having some sort of compression in the arm area can help speed up recovery.
They tend to be worn by beginners and amateurs, rather than seasoned pros.
Helpful Tip: If you are looking for a model that can play the role of elbow pad a sleeve almost at the same time, then have a look at this quality Elbow sleeve. You can use it even if you are a pro.
Some of the materials used are common to both pieces of equipment.
For example, spandex is used to allow arm sleeves to stretch, whilst they are typically made of man-made fibers like nylon and polyester. Cotton can also be used because it is both comfortable and breathable.
Are arm sleeves a better option than regular elbow pads?
Arm sleeves cover the top of the arms and sometimes the hands, while elbow pads extend either side of the elbow area. Sleeves are worn in the top of the arm, pads below it.
This reflects the fact that their function is not necessarily the same. Sleeves are primarily there to help absorb the impact when striking and passing the ball, whereas elbow pads are there to cushion the impact and the shock of falling on the ground repeatedly in the course of a game.
And while many of the materials used are the same (nylon, spandex, and polyester) – elbow pads will contain foam or rubber to provide that all important protective element.
In terms of comfort, arm sleeves will be a better option because they are stretchable and designed to mold to the arm, whereas elbow pads are bulkier and can be a little constricting for some players.
I highly encourage you to learn more about protective volleyball equipement! This will help ensure more safety for you while playing …
Are elbow pads common for beach volleyball?
Elbow pads are not common for beach volleyball, I don’t even recall anybody using them before from what I’ve seen so far!
This is normal because the court in different. Sands naturally absorb the shocks better than anything else.
However, for your case, if you feel some sort of discomfort while executing volleyball moves like serving & spiking, then I highly invite you to use elbow sleeves to reduce such a discomfort.
Final Thoughts …
Hopefully, I was able to explain clearly what elbow pads and sleeves bring to the table in terms of protection and comfort.
I little advice to you is that even if you play volleyball as a recreational activity with your friends, I still encourage you to protect your elbows to avoid any unnecessary bruises or injuries.