Suited for Success – 2012 Football Uniforms

Coaches work hard to prepare their players for the big contest on game day. Focus and game planning take shape during the practice week – all for those few precious moments on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon.

Because of what’s riding on those moments, coaches always want to put their best foot forward in execution and appearance. 2012 is offering teams across the nation more selection and performance than at any other point in the history of the game. Game uniforms are becoming vital pieces of equipment, designed to maximize talent.

One thing coaches will notice instantly when looking at uniforms for the 2012 football season is that the designs and materials reflect big-time football, both college and pro. Though it’s part of an ongoing trend that gained major footing in 2011, it will move to another level in 2012 for one major reason: Nike has regained the crown as official apparel supplier to the NFL, winning the bid after Reebok’s contract expired after 2011.

“It’s huge. Nike wants to maximize its impact, so that will mean a lot of the NFL and college designs and fabrics will be available at the high school level this year,” said Eastbay Team Services Marketing Manager Harold Bone. “The uniform style is just the tip of the iceberg. Schools and clubs will see all types of pro-level designs, from polos and jackets to practice gear and sweats.”

“The goal is to elevate the entire football category – cleats, gloves, jerseys, and team apparel,” said a Nike spokesman. “It’s to make all the gear seen on the sideline available to high school kids.”

Nike

    Leading the way is the Nike Pro Combat Speed Jersey ($69.99 SRP), a pro-level piece available to high school programs in June. The “system of dress” stock version of its pinnacle jersey style, the Speed Jersey features a cordura spandex material and four-way stretch mesh panels for a tight yet ventilated fit. Shoulders feature a two-ply build for durability.
    The matching Pro Combat Speed Pant ($74.99 SRP) is made with the same material and comes with a compression-molded integrated knee pad. A padded hip design and stretch fabrication work in conjunction with the Nike Pro Combat hyper-strong hard plate girdle style.
    “Nike takes pride in giving athletes an advantage by providing them with cutting edge innovation,” said Nike’s Creative Director for Football Todd Van Horne in a news release. “The Nike Pro Combat system of dress uniform delivers unparalleled on-field performance benefits while inspiring the team through each uniform’s unique design. It’s a privilege to collaborate with the coaches and student-athletes to develop a look that’s truly distinctive to each university and their teams.”
    Billed as a fully integrated system, the Pro Combat uniform starts with a redesigned lightweight base layer. Pads and seams have been rebuilt to allow movement and offer protection. “Solid padding minus the bulk has been added throughout the hit zone between the knees and shoulders,” Bone said. “The Deflex padding layer is constructed so the material breathes and gives you plenty of ventilation and heat regulation.”
    Nike Pro Combat Deflex padding has also been incorporated in the hip and knee areas of the pants for impact protection. Jerseys are made of four-way stretch woven twill that sheds moisture, and a Flywire collar eliminates two layers of fabric for improved breathability and more stability to keep the jersey in place.
    Nike also has some returning favorites. Introduced in 2011, the Nike Crack Back Jersey ($64.99 adult, $54.99 youth) was one of the key styles worn by major college and high school programs. “We brought in the Crack Back Jersey to take over where the Cowboy Jersey left off in 2010,” said Eastbay Team Services Sales Manager Scott Jordan. “It offers more styling, great breathability and excellent fit.”
    The jersey features a tapered fit and contrast side panels that extend from the underarm to the neck – mirroring many of the top college and pro designs. Like the Pro Combat Jersey, it’s a blend of 86% nylon and 14% spandex. The pro mesh body has a tapered and full length cut to give players a snug fit that still allows for breathability and expansion. Two-ply mesh at the shoulders leads to extended durability.
    The matching Nike Performance Game Pant ($61.99) features a three-piece back and a 2.5” silicone gripper elastic slooted waistband. The pant has a spandex thigh and knee pad pocket system with a zigzag construction designed to hold pads firmly in place. The inseam length is 15” in size large.
    Another returning favorite is the Nike Destroyer Game Jersey ($51.99 adult, $39.99 youth). With a stripped-down look, it’s one of Nike’s best options for teams on a budget. It still features the full-length, tapered style with side panel spandex inserts and two-ply reinforcement at the shoulders, but it’s made of 100% polyester and has a full elasticized collar and spandex inserts that run almost the entire length of the jersey. The spandex creates a looser fit at the shoulders and could alleviate the need for help to get the jersey off. “The Nike Destroyer Jersey has always been a solid seller for us,” said Jordan. “Some of our bigger schools love the look and just keep restocking year after year.”
    One more Nike carryover is the Double Coverage Jersey ($31.99 adult, $24.99 youth), which has the cap-sleeve look seen on a number of professional linebackers and defensive ends. By exposing the arms, it reduces the potential for opponents’ holding opportunities. Unlike the pro mesh build of the Crack Back and Destroyer, the Double Coverage is made with open hole mesh. It’s still tapered for a tight fit, but the open hole mesh offers more ventilation and breathability.
    One of the key Nike football pants is the Stock Combat Pant ($84.99 adult, $54.99 youth). It’s a durable, high-quality piece that has been upgraded with compression-molded integrated kneepads, an integrated belt and a padded hip-belt design. Vented mesh side panels allow for breathability and team customization. “It’s the closest pro-level football pant we carry,” Bone said.

Under Armour

    Leading the way for UA is the Texas Tech Jersey ($79.99 adult, $69.99 youth) and Pant ($79.99 adult, $75.99 youth), which returns for a third year. The main feature is spandex inserts that run from the upper shoulder (front and back) down the entire jersey. These flex areas, combined with the open hole mesh body, create a tight but comfortable fit.
    The jersey is full-length and extended, with double-ply build at the shoulders and elastic sleeve cuffs. The road jersey is almost solid white, while the colored home version has contrasting spike insets on the shoulder area. “This jersey takes ventilation to the extreme,” Jordan said. “The coaches like the sleek look, too.”
    The UA Stock Battle Football Jersey ($59.99 adult, $49.99 youth) was introduced in 2011. “The teams who tried it absolutely loved it,” Jordan said. The jersey has a tricot mesh front and mini-porthole mesh back for increased breathability and ventilation while allowing for customization options. A double layer of dazzle mesh on the shoulder yoke adds longevity. The styling of the Battle Jersey is much different than the Texas Tech Jersey. Contrast piping runs from the neck around the shoulder pad and extends down to the contrasting skill-cut elasticized sleeves.
    It’s built of 100% polyester (compared to the 91% nylon/9% elastane construction of the Tech jersey) and has piping along the jersey as part of its design. “There are 16 colors available, so it has probably the widest selection of any of the 2012 Under Armour line,” said Bone.
    The Under Armour Signature Football Jersey ($34.99 adult, $29.99 youth) is UA’s entry into a low-cost game day option for schools on a tight budget or as a practice jersey. It’s made of 100% port hole mesh polyester with HeatGear construction and a loose fit.


Eastbay

    The Eastbay Ball Hawk Game Jersey ($19.99 adult and youth) returns for a second year and is the most inexpensive jersey in the 2012 lineup. It’s a 100% polyester pro mesh piece with stretch side inserts and arm openings. The matching Eastbay Zone Blitz Pant ($29.99 adult and youth) has integrated pads at the hips, knees, thighs and tailbone.

    There you have it, the rundown of today’s top uniform options. Uniforms are evolving with the game and becoming as vital a part as any other piece of equipment. Make your selections with the knowledge that uniforms have become something more. If 2012 is any indicator as to where this trend is heading, the time to suit up for success is now! 

Jim Douville, a copywriter for Eastbay/Footlocker.com, was an assistant football coach at Newman Catholic High School, WI, for five years. He was also an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

For more information:
Eastbay Team Services
800-841-5748 • www.eastbayteamservices.com