←Back to Wiki
jockstrap
📅 Updated:2026-02-24
🕒 Created:2013-11-22
🆔 ID:4438
Description
A type of underwear designed to support the male genitalia, traditionally used during sports.
The Jockstrap was originally invented by C.F. Bennet Sharp & Smith sporting company in 1874 as an "Athletic Supporter", meant primarily for bicycle riders. In the late 19th early 20th century they started being referred to a "Jockstraps", a contraction of "Jockey Strap". Jockey being a slang term for athletic riders such a horse jockey or bike jockey (cyclist). It was originally designed as a pouch that supported the male scrotum connected to an elastic waistband and a single strap that went from the middle through the intergluteal crease.
The Jockstrap was originally invented by C.F. Bennet Sharp & Smith sporting company in 1874 as an "Athletic Supporter", meant primarily for bicycle riders. In the late 19th early 20th century they started being referred to a "Jockstraps", a contraction of "Jockey Strap". Jockey being a slang term for athletic riders such a horse jockey or bike jockey (cyclist). It was originally designed as a pouch that supported the male scrotum connected to an elastic waistband and a single strap that went from the middle through the intergluteal crease.
The modern Jockstrap typically consists of a waistband with a front pouch containing the penis and balls, and two connecting straps in the back which leave the butt exposed. Many modern Jockstraps also contain a protective codpiece or cup that goes over the genitals and is secured by the pouch. This is useful for protecting the genitals from low blows in high contact sports like wrestling, football, boxing, and martial arts; as well as sports that feature small fast moving projectiles like hockey, baseball, paintball, or tennis. Jockstraps can be worn under other underwear and shorts.
They are also frequently worn to help with medical recovery and physical therapy following medical procedures related to the male genitals such as inguinal hernias, vasectomies, and testicular torsion.
The design of the Jockstrap uses diverging force from the two connecting straps against the glutes to increase the support using a similar principle to the "Triangle of Forces" and "Vector Equilibrium", to help increase the force used to pull the pouch securely against the body to minimize risk of swinging and by extension the genitals being struck.
In the mid 20th century, Jockstraps became increasingly popular among Gay Men in the LGBT+ Community especially in the Leather and BDSM subculture, due to how it accentuates the bulge and exposes the buttocks and potentially the anus.
