Injury & Recovery

Most players keep three types of products on hand: braces and supports to stabilize the ankles, knees, elbows and wrists, athletic and kinesiology tape for targeted support, and recovery tools like foam rollers, massage balls and cold therapy sleeves. A first aid kit in the team bag completes the setup. These products help support and protect the body, but they don't replace a diagnosis: see a health professional for any injury.

A compression sleeve, like the Nike Pro Knee Sleeve or EC3D Sports Med Compression Knee Sleeve, adds light support, warmth and compression. A brace, like the McDavid Level 3 Ankle Brace or Zamst A2-DX Ankle Support, uses straps and stays for firmer stability. Tape, like KT Tape kinesiology tape or Renfrew athletic tape, gives targeted support to a specific area. Many players combine them, for example taping an ankle under a sleeve.

McDavid rates its supports by protection level. Level 1 products, like the Level 1 Ankle Sleeve and Elbow Sleeve, are elastic sleeves for light support and compression. Level 2 adds straps, stays or pads for moderate support, like the Level 2 Knee Support with Stays and Cross Straps. Level 3 offers maximum support, like the Level 3 Ankle Brace with Straps or the lace-up brace with stays, often chosen by players returning from a sprain or with recurring injuries. Shop all McDavid supports in our braces and supports collection.

A good team first aid kit covers the basics: bandages and gauze, athletic tape, instant cold packs, antiseptic wipes and disposable gloves. The Sidelines Sports Doctor 2 First Aid Kit is a ready-made option for the dugout. Add Renfrew Pro Grade Medical Tape and a Freeze Sleeve for cold therapy, and keep everything together in your team bag. Check and restock the kit at the start of each season.

Topical analgesics, like the Trudz Analgesic Cream and Analgesic Spray, are made for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches after games and training. Always follow the directions on the label, don't apply them to broken or irritated skin, and stop using them if irritation occurs. If pain lasts or gets worse, see a health professional. For recovery after games, also try a foam roller or massage ball from our recovery collection.

See a doctor, physiotherapist or athletic therapist if pain lasts more than a few days, if there's significant swelling or bruising, if a player can't put weight on a limb or move a joint normally, or after any blow to the head. Young pitchers with elbow or shoulder pain should stop throwing and get checked before returning to the mound. Braces, tape and recovery tools work best as part of a return-to-play plan from a health professional.