Football: Purpose of those rubber band thingies they wear on their elbows and sometimes knees?

[Analog]

pic: http://i133.photobucket.com/al...8/Alamando/Imagex1.jpg

 

[Cuda1447]

To look badass.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Sweat stopper.

 

[Farang]

Uniformity of movement.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I always thought they were to prevent turf burn.

 

[Epic Fail]

:camera:'s?

 

[OdiN]

While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

they can help reduce tendonitis.

 

[PatrickBateman]

I believe they are worn on their elbows to help "grip " the ball when running with it.

 

[Nitemare]

never noticed this before

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

it holds the microphone switch in their palm or some refs use a small mechanical device to keep track of time and/or downs

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

it holds the microphone switch in their palm

Huh?

Every time that I see them come on the microphone, they adjust something on their belt.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

It's a down marker.

They put the loop around their finger for whatever down it is.

To be more clear - index finger = 1st down. middle finger = 2nd down, etc.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

it holds the microphone switch in their palm

Huh?

Every time that I see them come on the microphone, they adjust something on their belt.

you might be right on that. I remembered after my post that a buddy that refs high school ball told me that he has a clicker that he uses to track downs, I suppose like a mechaincal golf stroke tracker

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
To look badass.

Yup. Adds six horse power and cuts their 40 times by .1 seconds too.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

it holds the microphone switch in their palm

Huh?

Every time that I see them come on the microphone, they adjust something on their belt.

you might be right on that. I remembered after my post that a buddy that refs high school ball told me that he has a clicker that he uses to track downs, I suppose like a mechaincal golf stroke tracker

It's similar to baseball umpires that have a small clicker to track balls/strikes/outs.

 

[spidey07]

Given the position of the bands my guess is something to prevent tendon injuries. Or possibly to keep the blood closer to the core.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

It's a down marker.

They put the loop around their finger for whatever down it is.

To be more clear - index finger = 1st down. middle finger = 2nd down, etc.

Kinda odd...they have huge signs on the sidelines...but at least that makes some sense.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

It's a down marker.

They put the loop around their finger for whatever down it is.

To be more clear - index finger = 1st down. middle finger = 2nd down, etc.

Kinda odd...they have huge signs on the sidelines...but at least that makes some sense.

The referee is the one responsible for the downs. The guys with the markers just do what he tells them to. Above all, the ref (there is only one) is in charge of the downs.

 

[Injury]

I've always thought that maybe they restrict blood flow to prevent cramps or something.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Google...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What...tball_players_arms_for

Makes sense I guess... I guess.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: OdiN
While were on the topic of things like this....what is that loop thing that the refs have around one of their fingers and what's it used for? I've never seen it used for anything.

It's a down marker.

They put the loop around their finger for whatever down it is.

To be more clear - index finger = 1st down. middle finger = 2nd down, etc.

Kinda odd...they have huge signs on the sidelines...but at least that makes some sense.

The referee is the one responsible for the downs. The guys with the markers just do what he tells them to. Above all, the ref (there is only one) is in charge of the downs.

Not exactly 100% fool proof either: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Down

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Google...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What...tball_players_arms_for

Makes sense I guess... I guess.

Yep. They're basically like knee braces in the 90s like Jordan wore. They start out as something useful/beneficial and end up as a fashion accessory.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Google...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What...tball_players_arms_for

Makes sense I guess... I guess.

Yep. They're basically like knee braces in the 90s like Jordan wore. They start out as something useful/beneficial and end up as a fashion accessory.

I would think something beneficial would be good fashion, no?

It's not like everyone's out there wearing an eyepatch or something cause one player had to and everyone else can't benefit but boy did that eyepatch look cool.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: oogabooga

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Google...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What...tball_players_arms_for

Makes sense I guess... I guess.

Yep. They're basically like knee braces in the 90s like Jordan wore. They start out as something useful/beneficial and end up as a fashion accessory.

I would think something beneficial would be good fashion, no?

It's not like everyone's out there wearing an eyepatch or something cause one player had to and everyone else can't benefit but boy did that eyepatch look cool.

You're not getting what I'm saying and coming up with a nonsensical comparison. There will be some that really need it but there will likely be many who don't need it but wear it anyway as a fashion accessory. I saw it all through high school and college with the compression knee braces like Jordan wore (worn like Jordan wore it), black visors, the neck guards for shoulder pads, etc etc.

It is usually divided between those who need it, those who wear it for a placebo effect (makes them feel better), and those who wear it as a fashion accessory. There are also a few outliers who won't wear anything at all unless absolutely necessary.