HOW TO FIT A HOCKEY JOCK OR JILL
How to fit a jock (boys) or jill (girls) for your kid. Covers the difference between jock and jill, waist measurement, sock tabs, sizing, and when to size up.
JOCK VS. JILL
The jock (boys) and jill (girls) protect the pelvic region. The two pieces are different in design and construction — a jill is not a jock with the cup removed.
Jock (boys)
A hard protective cup held in place by a jock strap (traditional) or integrated compression short (modern). The cup is centered over the pelvic area. Most youth hockey today uses the integrated compression short style — easier to put on, less shifting during play.
Jill (girls)
A pelvic shield designed for female anatomy, with different protective geometry than a cup. Modern jills are integrated into compression shorts that fit over the hips and contour to the body. Brands like Bauer, Sher-Wood, and McDavid make jill-specific designs.
THE FIT TEST
Four checks. The jock/jill fails if any of them don't pass.
1
Waistband: sits comfortably at the natural waist without digging in or sagging. The compression short should be snug — the goal is to keep the protective element in place during play, not to provide support.
2
Cup or shield position: centered over the pelvic area with no gaps in coverage. For boys, the cup is held by the jock strap or compression short. For girls, the pelvic shield should fully cover the lower abdomen and pelvic floor.
3
Sock tabs: most compression shorts have small Velcro tabs inside the leg openings. These attach to the hockey socks and hold them up during play. If the shorts don't have tabs, the socks will fall down.
4
Movement test: have the kid skate a few strides and get into a hockey stance. The cup/shield should not shift, the compression short should not ride up or slide down, and the sock tabs should hold the socks in place.
SIZING (YOUTH)
Measure the waist just above the hips. Match the measurement to the brand-specific youth chart. Brand sizing varies: Bauer, CCM, and Shock Doctor all size differently. The chart below is a typical youth size range; always check the actual product page.
Youth Small
22" – 24"
Ages 7-9
Youth Medium
24" – 26"
Ages 9-11
Youth Large
26" – 28"
Ages 11-13
Junior Small
28" – 30"
Ages 13+
Cup sizing (boys): the cup is usually separate from the short. If a cup is included, it's typically a "Youth" size. If a replacement is needed, most youth players wear a standard youth cup sized by waist (not by the short size). Check the cup packaging for the sizing chart.
WHEN TO SIZE UP
Size up when:
- • The compression short is too tight at the waist or hips.
- • The cup or shield has shifted during play.
- • The sock tabs are stretched out and no longer hold the socks.
- • The kid has visibly grown between seasons.
Most parents replace jocks/jills every 1-2 seasons for kids 8-13. They're also one of the most common items to buy used, since the protective element rarely wears out and the fit is what matters.
USED JOCKS AND JILLS
Safe to buy used. For boys, replace the cup if it shows any cracks or has been heavily used. For girls, replace the pelvic shield if it has been compressed. The compression short itself is rarely the problem — it's the protective element that wears out.
Used jocks/jills are a great way for new hockey families to save money, especially during the first season when a kid is still deciding whether they'll stick with the sport.
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