A jockstrap, also known as a jock, jill, strap, cup, groin guard, pelvic protector, or athletic supporter, is an undergarment designed to protect the testes and penis or vulva during contact sports or other vigorous physical activity. It consists of a waistband, usually elastic, with a support pouch for the genitalia and two elastic straps affixed to the base of the pouch and to the left and right sides of the waistband at the hip. The pouch, in some varieties, may be fitted with a pocket to hold an abdominal guard (impact-resistant cup, box) to protect the testicles and the penis from injury. Jockstraps are fairly consistent in design, with variations appearing in details like the width of the waistband and fabrics. Some jockstraps are designed for specific sports, such as swim jocks, which have a narrow waistband, and hockey jocks, which sometimes have adjustable elastic straps and garter clips that hold hockey socks in place while the bulky goalie protector has genital and abdominal foam padding.
Jockstraps are not only used for sports but also for medical purposes and for recovery from injury or surgery for such conditions as hematocele, inguinal hernia, hydrocele, or spermatocele. They are also worn as an everyday replacement for more traditional underwear. Jockstraps are designed to keep the genitalia in place and minimize shifting when running, jumping, stretching, and bending. They maximize leg movement, and their lift and flexibility also reduce groin strains and keep genital slip-outs from turning into painful injuries. Jockstraps are recommended for any sport that requires running, such as track and field or basketball. For contact sports or sports involving fast-moving balls, a cup is also recommended.
