The 4 “Do’s” And “Don’ts” Of Team Gear And Apparel

Imagine a team bus pulling up to your stadium or arena. As the players and coaches get off the bus, you notice that everyone is dressed differently, in their own individual style of clothing. What’s your first impression of that team? 

Now imagine another team bus pulling up to your stadium or arena. As the players and coaches get off the bus, you notice that everyone is dressed in matching suits or team track jackets. What’s your first impression of that team?

You may not realize it, but your team’s athletic gear and apparel says a lot about who you and your players are.

While helmets and jerseys might match, you shouldn’t overlook the athletic “accessories” players wear — like mouthguards, gloves and headbands on the field, and hoodies, hats and warm-ups off the field. When a team doesn’t match, they give off an air of unpreparedness and unprofessionalism, and that translates to a lack of cohesiveness, as well as a lack of respect from opponents.

It’s simple to change how others view you and your team, as well as how you and your players feel about yourselves. Here are four “Do’s” and “Don’ts” you need to know when considering your team’s appearance:

1. Do… make sure your players match. 

There is unity in uniformity. Whether every player and coach wears a shirt and tie or warm-ups while traveling, it’s important that your team looks like a team on and off the field. Even if it’s not in the budget to buy all of your players equipment, set rules on acceptable colors and other athletic apparel, such as mouthguards, headbands and sneakers, cleats or skates. This goes a long way to helping your players feel like a cohesive unit — as well as putting your opponents on notice.

2. Don’t… let your team look unprepared. 

When a team shows up to a competitor’s house wearing mismatched clothing and different styles, they appear unready and detached from each other. Does that strike fear into the hearts of opponents? When players look the part, they act the part. Set the tone for the game the second you arrive at your opponent’s facility and let your players carry that attitude on to the field, court or ice.

3. Do… give your team a competitive advantage. 

Self-esteem is a major factor when it comes to performance and a boost in confidence is an easy way to get the most out of your players. Matching, custom team apparel helps to effectively increase the confidence of your players, improve your team’s moral and psychologically enhance athletic performance. When your team wears matching colors and logos, they won’t just look like champions, they’ll feel like champions.

4. Don’t… ignore the details. 

Even something as small as the color of the laces on cleats or skates has the ability to make one player seem out of place. While minute details may be easy to overlook, it’s these details that unify your team. When every player has your team’s logo on their cleats, gloves and mouthguards, they make a significant impression on the opposing team.

Show your opponents that your team means business.

Give your team the identity of a champion and strike fear into your opponents with custom team apparel from Gladiator Custom Mouthguards, the industry-leader in custom mouthguards.

Author Bio

Bobbie Quinn, co-founder of Gladiator Custom Mouthguards, played both lacrosse and field hockey as a youth and went on to play Division 1 women’s lacrosse in college. Bobbie continues to play women’s league field hockey and enjoys watching her son play various sports.