Exploring the History of Volleyball Shorts
Volleyball shorts are a bit of an anomaly when it comes to sports apparel. While most athletic wear is designed to provide comfort and flexibility, volleyball shorts have always been known for their short length. So why are volleyball shorts so short? Let’s take a look at the history of these unique-looking garments and explore how they became such an iconic part of volleyball culture.
The Beginning: The 1970s
It all started in the 1970s when American beachwear companies began producing brightly colored nylon tricot swimsuits that were popular among teenage boys and girls alike. These beachwear outfits resembled what we now know as modern day volleyball shorts – tight-fitting, bright, colorful bottoms with drawstrings at the waistband – but they weren’t specifically marketed towards volleybal players just yet.
The Rise in Popularity: The 1980s
By the mid-1980s, beachwear had become more popular than ever before, especially among athletes looking for stylish clothing to play their sport in. At this time several major brands began designing specialized versions of these beachwear styles specifically made for playing volleyball on sand courts or indoor courts. It was during this decade that many manufacturers started making shorter lengths for men’s bottoms because it provided them with more freedom to jump high and move quickly around the court without having excess fabric getting in their way. This trend caught on fast amongst other athletes who wanted similar advantages from wearing shorter pants or shorts while playing different sports like basketball or soccer too!
Modern Day Volleyball Shorts
Today, most men’s volleyball shorts remain relatively short; usually falling between four inches above the knee (or higher) up to mid thigh length depending on personal preference and team uniform rules set by individual leagues/teams/coaches etc.. The majority of women’s teams still prefer longer lengths which extend below knee level due to tradition but some exceptions can be found where certain schools allow female players wear whatever style they feel comfortable in regardless if it’s considered “in fashion” or not! Overall though both genders typically opt out for tighter fitting options that offer better range motion while jumping around on court surfaces as well as providing maximum breathability during strenuous matches!
Conclusion
Volleyball shorts may seem like a strange choice given today’s fashion trends but there is actually a lot of history behind why these types of attire have become so popular amongst athletes over time – from its roots stretching back nearly 50 years ago down through present day where teams continue favoring them due their functional benefits during competitive games! Regardless if you’re looking into getting a pair yourself or just curious about why others choose them; hopefully this article has helped shed light onto why exactly those famous “volleyballs” continues being prominent within sporting circles even after all these years.