Football players are often spotted with a hanging towel on their hips, serving various purposes throughout the game. So, what exactly is the function of these towels and why do players wear them? In this article, we’ll explore the positions that utilize towels and their significance.
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Staying Dry with a Towel
Just like spatting ankles purely for fashion, players sometimes wear towels for aesthetic reasons rather than for ankle support. Similarly, tape is often used on the back of their arms without any specific purpose. The weather conditions during a football game can greatly impact the players’ performance. Rain or snow can make the ball slippery, affecting a running back’s grip, the quarterback’s throw, and even a wide receiver’s catch. To combat these issues, players must stay dry and efficient. Let’s delve into the positions that rely on towels to stay dry during a game.
Quarterback
Among all positions, the quarterback is most likely to wear a towel. Since they handle the football during exchanges with the center and when passing to receivers, it’s crucial for their hands to stay dry. Quarterbacks often keep the towel on the front right or front left side of their hip, where it’s easily accessible for wiping their hands before snapping the ball. It’s worth noting that quarterbacks shouldn’t excessively wipe their hands before every play, as opponents may notice this tendency and take advantage of it.
Center
As the first person to touch the ball, centers also rely on towels to keep their hands dry. The center-quarterback exchange is often compromised by sweaty hands, making the ball feel slippery. Moreover, when centers assume a 3-point stance, sweat from their face and arms can drip onto the ball, further exacerbating the issue. Having a dry towel on hand is crucial for wiping the sweat and mud accumulated on their hands, ensuring a clean snap to the quarterback.
Running Back
Ball security is of utmost importance for running backs, as it can make the difference between winning and losing a game. Running backs need to ensure a secure grip on the ball, utilizing the five points of contact. Surprisingly, sweaty biceps and forearms are often responsible for defenders successfully stripping the ball. Towels help running backs keep their hands, forearms, and biceps dry, ensuring a firm grip and secure ball control.
Wide Receivers
Wide receivers typically wear gloves to prevent sweat accumulation on their hands. However, they still wear towels, primarily to keep their biceps and forearms dry. Additionally, these towels come in handy when wide receivers dive for low or high throws, allowing them to dry their hands before each snap.
Selecting the Perfect Towel for a Football Game
Not all towels are created equal. Players desire towels that keep their hands dry while also looking good. Here are our top picks for the best wearable towel:
Grip Boost Towel
Our first recommendation is the Grip Boost Towel, known for its exceptional grip. This towel is ideal for hot days, wet weather, and adverse conditions. With just one swipe, your hands will be free of any moisture.
Under Armour Towel
The Under Armour towel is an excellent choice for several reasons. It boasts top-notch quality with soft fabric, and its design perfectly complements UA branded jerseys, cleats, and gloves. Additionally, it conveniently attaches to your belt loop.
Nike Football Towel
Nike’s football towel is another great option. Known for consistently producing high-quality products, Nike offers a towel that effortlessly attaches to your belt loop. For teams with Nike jerseys, this towel allows players to match their team’s logo, ensuring a cohesive and stylish look.
To purchase these towels, refer to the provided links.
Optimal Placement of Towels in Football
The most suitable place for a towel is tucked into the players’ pants. However, the precise location depends on their position. Here’s a breakdown:
- Center: Typically, centers keep the towel on the front or side of their hip. This placement minimizes any interference between the ball and the quarterback during exchanges.
- Quarterback: Quarterbacks should have a towel on their throwing side hip. Alternatively, they can benefit from having a towel on the back hip of the center. This technique is particularly useful for younger players, encouraging them to wipe their hands before taking the center snap.
- Running Back: Running backs can place the towel on either hip. It’s crucial not to tuck the towel in too tightly, as defenders may use it to tackle the player. Keeping it loose enough ensures that the towel will immediately come loose if grabbed by an opponent.
- Wide Receiver: Similar to running backs, wide receivers can wear the towel on either side. The choice of which side to wear it on is entirely up to the player.
Additional Reasons for Wearing Towels in Football
Apart from practical purposes, football players also wear towels for cosmetic reasons. These reasons involve creating an ensemble that looks good and enhances their overall appearance or “swag.” Some players purchase custom towels or cut sports towels in half to achieve their desired look. Wearing a towel has no downsides other than the risk of it being tucked in too tightly, which could potentially allow opponents to tackle the player by grabbing it.
Fortunately, websites now offer powerful tools that enable players to create custom towels according to their preferences. These towels can be personalized with logos, names, or numbers, allowing players to customize every minute detail. When creating a custom towel, it’s recommended to place your logo, name, or number on the left half, as folding the towel over gives it a neater appearance. Folded towels are easier to tuck into pants compared to standard towels.
Related Q&A
Q: How can I make a homemade football towel?
A: Cut a towel into a small 10×18″ shape, fold it over once, and tuck it into your pants. Alternatively, you can purchase a 5×18″ towel and use it without folding. This option is suitable for those on a tight budget. However, if you have some money to spare, consider searching for custom-made towels online. These towels have slicker material and a more eye-catching design.
Q: How should I wash my football towel?
A: Wash your football towel similarly to how you would wash a bath towel. It’s essential to wash your towel after every use. Towels look best when they’re white and appear vibrant under the football field lights.
Q: Why do fans wave towels at football games?
A: Waving white towels or white t-shirts in a circular motion has become a tradition at many colleges. This creates an impressive visual effect, catching the opponents’ attention as they witness thousands of passionate fans twirling their towels.
Q: Why do players wearing gloves also wear towels?
A: Players wearing gloves utilize towels to enhance their overall uniform appearance. Additionally, towels serve as a tool for wiping off sweat from the gloves. During blocks or tackles, sweat can transfer onto the gloves, hindering players’ grip. Towels help dry the gloves between each play.
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