Football socks and grip socks
Football socks used to be simple: one long sock in the team colours, pulled up over the shin pad. Today many players wear two socks on each leg: a cut-down team sock over the shin and a short grip sock on the foot. Here is why, how the combination works, and what the rules say.
What team socks are for
Team socks do three jobs. They are part of the team’s colours, which referees use to tell the sides apart. They cover and hold the shin pads, which the Laws of the Game require to be worn under the socks. And they give a layer between the boot and the skin. The first two are the reason team socks are not optional, even for players who prefer to wear something else on their feet.
Why players cut their team socks
Traditional team socks are thick, long and made for appearance as much as performance. They have no grip on the sole, and the foot can move inside the boot, especially in a tight-fitting boot or on a quick change of direction. Players began cutting the foot off the team sock so they could wear a thinner sock, usually a grip sock, inside the boot while keeping the team colours on the leg.
Cutting is usually done just above the ankle. The remaining tube is pulled up over the shin pad and the bottom edge sits over the top of the grip sock, often held in place with tape.
How grip socks work with cut socks
A grip sock is a short sock, usually ankle or crew length, with rubber or silicone pads on the sole and sometimes inside the heel. The pads hold the foot still against the boot’s inner sole, which many players feel gives a more direct connection to the ball and the ground.
The usual setup is:
- Grip socks on first.
- Shin pads in place, with a sleeve or strap if you use one.
- The cut team sock pulled over the shin pad, with its lower edge covering the top of the grip sock.
- Tape around the join if needed, in the same colour as that part of the team sock.
- Boots on last.
Colours, tape and competition rules
Law 4 of the Laws of the Game requires any tape or material applied or worn on the outside of a sock to be the same colour as the part of the sock it covers. That is why a white tape band on a black sock can get a player sent back to change. The Laws do not specify the colour of a grip sock worn inside the boot, but where a grip sock shows between the team sock and the boot, some competitions and referees expect it to match the team sock as closely as possible. Many grip sock makers sell their socks in club colours for this reason. If in doubt, ask your league or match officials.
Socks, shin pads and sleeves
Once the team sock is a cut tube rather than a full sock, it no longer anchors at the foot, so it can slide down. Players handle this in different ways: a compression sleeve under the shin pad, a strap, or tape around the top of the sock below the knee. Our guide to wearing shin pads covers the options.
Common setup mistakes
- Tape that does not match the sock. The single most common reason referees ask players to change before kick-off.
- Cutting too low. If the team sock stops above the ankle bone it can leave a visible gap and slide; cut a little longer than you think and trim later.
- Grip socks that are too big. Excess material bunches inside the boot and causes blisters. Grip socks should fit snugly.
- Doubling up without checking boot fit. Two layers can make a tight boot tighter. Try boots on with the socks you will play in.
- Forgetting the team colour. Some competitions want visible grip socks to match the team sock. Check before match day.
Choosing grip socks
Grip socks vary in pad layout, thickness, material and how far the grip extends up the heel, and the differences are noticeable in a match. FootballBoots.co.uk reviews the main brands individually, so for a detailed comparison of the best football grip socks, that is the place to go next.