The knee is one of the most important joints in the human body. It’s also one of the most commonly injured joints. As a result, many athletes take measures to protect their knees, including knee savers for baseball or softball. This leads us to wonder, are knee savers good for catchers?
Knee savers are devices you attach to your legs above and below the knee. They help take the strain off your joints and can prevent injuries. There are a lot of different opinions out there about whether knee savers are effective.
In this post, I’ll look at the pros and cons of using knee savers as a catcher. I’ll also give you some tips on choosing the right catcher’s knee savers.
The Physics of Catchers’ Knees:
A common question is how knee saver pads could help protect catcher’s knees. After all, the human knee is a tough joint. It’s designed to withstand upward force associated with the typical actions associated with baseball catchers. The key to understanding how knee savers work is understanding the physics of best catchers’ knees.
The knee joint is a hinge joint. This means that it only allows for movement in one plane. The knee can bend and straighten, but it can’t rotate or twist. The bones of the knee joint are held together by ligaments. These ligaments provide stability to the joint and prevent it from moving too much.
When you squat down in a catcher’s stance, most of your upper body weight is borne by your knees. In addition, the force of impact from a pitched ball can be significant. This combination of body weight and force can put a lot of strain on the knee causing various knee conditions.
Knee savers work by taking some of the strain off the back side of the knee joint for any baseball catcher position. Over time, this strain can lead to knee injuries like ligament tears or cartilage damage. By redistributing the weight-bearing load, knee savers can help reduce the risk of injury.
Are Knee Savers Good for Catchers?
Knee savers work by attaching to your legs above and below the knee. This creates a triangle of support that helps to distribute the weight-bearing load. The knee savers are usually made from a lightweight yet strong material like fabric or foam.
Unlike chest protectors and other catcher’s gear, knee savers don’t offer any padding or protection from impact. Their sole purpose is to take the strain off of the knee joint at a different angle.
There are a few different ways to attach knee savers. Some models use straps that go around the thigh and calf. Others have pads that rest on the outside of the leg. A lazy catcher might be tempted to leave the knee savers attached all the time during competition. However, most models are designed to be removed after each play in a game or practice.
The type of attachment will vary depending on the brand and model of the knee saver. It’s important to choose a comfortable and easy model to use. You don’t want something that will be a distraction when you’re trying to catch a game.
Pros and Cons of Using Knee Savers:
There are a few pros and cons to using knee savers as a catcher. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones.
PROS:
● They help reduce the wear and tear on young knees and younger players.
● They can help you stay in a crouched position for longer periods of time without getting tired.
● They can help you stay low to the ground when you are catching.
CONS:
● They can be difficult to get used to wearing.
● They can make movement while standing difficult.
● They may not work for everyone
How to Choose the Right Knee Savers?
Now that you know a little bit about how knee savers work, you might be wondering how to choose the right pair for you. There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting knee savers.
Comfort:
The comfort of the knee savers is one of the most important factors to consider. You want to make sure that you select a pair that will not be too uncomfortable to wear. If you are not comfortable, you will not be able to use them properly.
When trying on knee savers, crouch down in them and walk around a bit. This will help you determine if they are comfortable for you.
Size:
Knee savers come in different sizes. You want to make sure that you select a size that will fit your knees properly. If they are too big, they will not stay in place and will be uncomfortable. If they are too small, they will be difficult to put on and take off.
Material:
Knee savers are usually made from a variety of materials. The most popular material is foam, but there are also knee savers made from gel or plastic. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.
Foam:
Foam knee savers are the most popular type. They are usually more comfortable than other types of knee savers. They can also be cut to fit your knees better.
Memory foam is a type of foam that is becoming more popular. It conforms to your knees and provides extra support. However, foam knee savers can tear easily and might need to be replaced more often than other types.
Gel:
Gel knee savers are becoming more popular. They are often more comfortable than foam knee savers. They might also last longer than foam knee savers. However, gel knee savers can be more expensive than foam knee savers.
Plastic:
Knee savers with plastic shells are the least popular type. They are not as comfortable as foam or gel knee savers. They can also be more difficult to put on and take off. Plastic knee savers can also get worn out easily, just like batting gloves.
Cost and free shipping:
Knee savers can range in price from $10 to $100. The price usually depends on the materials and the brand. You can often find discounts and free shipping when you purchase knee savers online.
Tips for Using Knee Savers:
Now that you know how to choose the right knee savers, here are a few tips for using them.
1. Make sure to break them in before using them in a game. Wear them around the house for a few days to get used to them.
2. Crouch down in them often to make sure they are comfortable.
3. Practice putting them on and taking them off so you can do it quickly in a game.
4. Check the size and often fit to make sure they are still comfortable.
5. Replace them annually to make sure they are still providing support.
Do Knee Savers Make Catchers Lazy?
One of the biggest criticisms of knee savers is that they make softball catchers lazy. A lot of people say that young catchers who use knee savers are less likely to stand up and not properly move throughout the game.
There is no evidence to support this claim. Many major league catchers use knee savers. If anything, this is a personal preference choice since knee savers make older players more efficient. They allow young players to stay in a crouched position for longer periods of time without getting tired.
In a high school or college game, every out counts. If using knee savers helps a young kid stay in a catcher’s position longer and make more outs, it is a good thing.
Knee savers are a helpful tool for youth players, but they are not right for everyone. You need to decide if they are right for you based on your comfort and preferences. If you decide to use knee pads, make sure to follow the tips above to ensure that you are using them properly. Not only youth catchers but also professional catchers can use these exercises to stay healthy and prevent injuries.
How to Strengthen Your Knees as a Catcher?
As a catcher, you put a lot of strain and stress on your knees. Over time, this can lead to eventual knee damage. To avoid knee problems or knee surgery, it is important to strengthen your leg muscles. Lots of catchers, including long time catchers work out specifically to strengthen their legs.
Here are a few exercises recommended by a physical therapist that you can do to strengthen your knees as a former catcher.
1. Leg lifts: Lie on your back with your legs straight. Slowly lift one leg off the ground and hold it in the air for a few seconds. Lower the leg back down and repeat with the other leg.
2. Squats: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly lower yourself down into a squat position. Make sure to keep your knees behind your toes. Hold the squat for a few seconds and then slowly stand back up.
3. Calf raises: Place your feet shoulder-width apart and raise onto your toes. Hold this position for a few seconds and lower your heels back down to the ground.
4. Leg curls: Lie on your stomach with your legs straight. Using a resistance band, curl your legs up towards your butt. Hold this position for a few seconds, and slowly lower your legs back down.
5. Toe raises: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your back against the wall, and raise your toes toward the ceiling. Hold this position for a few seconds and lower your toes back down to the ground.
Doing these exercises regularly will help to strengthen your strong leg muscles and stabilize your knees. This will reduce your risk of knee problems and allow you to play catcher for many years to come.
Conclusion:
There is a lot of debate surrounding knee savers, but ultimately it is up to the catcher to decide if they are right for them. If you choose to use knee savers, make sure to follow the tips above to ensure that you are using them properly. Strengthening your leg muscles will also help to reduce your risk of knee problems.