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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Isabelle Aron

Should you cut holes in your football socks or wear an ice vest while cycling? Experts on the truth behind 11 sports hacks

Football Tennis Alex Dowsett Amit Lennon Chris Jones Team GB Olympics United States
Woman in football socks with round holes cut in them
New socks are often tight, which is why footballers take the scissors to them. Photographs by Amit Lennon/The Guardian. Styling: Andie Redman Photograph: Amit Lennon/The Guardian

The football sock snip

One of the questions on everyone’s lips during Euro 2024 was, why were Jude Bellingham, Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka cutting holes in the back of their socks. Chris Hattersley from The Football Physio, who works with Premier League players, says it’s because top-level footballers are given a new pair of socks for every game, which are often very tight and can feel even tighter during a match due to increased blood flow: “It can lead to cramp or numbness, and holes can relieve a bit of pressure.”

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