Ordering Your Team Uniforms

Uniform orders can very quickly become a coach's worst nightmare. This blog is going to be dedicated to helping you  understand what to look for when ordering uniforms. Coach Mike took time to create a  check list of what to look for in your uniforms...

The things to consider are:

1. Brand
2. Quality
3. Ability to size the team from top to bottom
4. Initial availability
5. Player add on availability
6. Price
7. Overall uniqueness of design

1. Brand

First is brand. Gone are the days of only having a few basic brands like Russell, Champion, and Nike to pick from. With options like Teamwork, Alleson Athletic, Augusta, A4 and High Five, There are many brands and options to compete with.

2. Quality

This can result in a drive for companies to have superior quality while not sacrificing a great price. When you take the U A logo or the Swoosh off of the uniform and get down to what really matters, the are endless options.

3. Ability to Size 

What size do you wear?  This is a great question. With Uniform specific companies such as Augusta Sportswear, Badger Sportswear, or Teamwork Athletic, it can be very easy to order a sizing kit to make sure you get it right the first time. Most all of these companies ship same day as order. With larger companies such as Adidas, Nike, or Under Armour, they may take up to 3 to 4 days to ship an order costing you valuable time in the ordering process.

4. Initial Availability

Another thing to consider is Initial availability. Many of the larger companies will intentionally sell out of product in a relatively quick manner. They have no desire to have any inventory left on the shelves after the start of a season.

5. Add on Players

The Add on player....With larger brand names such as Nike, Under Armour and Adidas, their primary focus is to sell a jersey that will in turn help sell there larger brand concept. it is not uncommon for these guys to discontinue a jersey line after one season. This leaves a coach or athletic director with the challenge of trying to find a similar product when it comes to adding a jersey. When you utilize uniform specific companies such as Augusta Sportswear, Badger Sportswear, or Teamwork Athletic, they have lines that will be available for 2 to 3 years at minimum. All they do is sell uniforms!

6. Price

One of the most important aspects of the uniform experience is PRICE. Quite simply, when you loose the swoosh or the UA then for some strange reason the price mysteriously lowers by 15% to 25%.

 

7. Uniqueness of Design

One of the last aspects to consider is uniqueness of the design. All to often I see teams that utilize uniforms from the BIG 3 Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas.. Often times other than a slight color variation it quickly becomes obvious that they are wearing the exact same designs. With smaller uniform specific companies, they are constantly competing for your business so a unique stock design is the best way to make that happen.

Bottom line is this, if you are interested in getting the most out of your uniform dollars then consider moving away from the shoe companies styles to the direction of the guys that make uniforms exclusively for a living. This will give you increased value and quality, as well as fewer headaches.
- Coach Mike

For catalogs featuring all of these brands, check out our Coaches Corner Page!


We've got you covered!  |  2497 Highway 77, Panama City, Florida 32405  |850.215.5151  |  Facebook.com/AlmegaSports

Spring Football Training

                                                             Spring Football Training

American Football is one of the most played sports in the country, especially by young adults.  Spring football is a serious training time for many athletes as it conditions them for their fall season. Since being taken to the ground by a well sized person is inevitable, it is easy to see why football is also one of the most dangerous sports played. However, there are simple ways to prevent simple injuries, from head to toe.

The most important precautionary measure an athlete can take is finding the best football helmet I cannot stress enough the possibility of concussion- so here’s what to do.

- Purchase a helmet that fits well.  Players need a good fit about 2 fingers width from eyebrow to forehead pad, and make sure it doesn’t move freely.

- Check out the safety rating, anything with a low rating is not going to be worth the money.

- If an athlete must use a league provided helmet, make sure it has been certified as safe.

- Do not necessarily seek out the cheapest option. The helmet protects the head which holds the brain; think about it. Don’t risk safety for a lower price tag.

 

Regardless of how long someone has played football, being tackled is a reality. So naturally you have to provide your body some form of protection, that’s where football pads come in.

-  For shoulder pads, make sure to get a good tight fit that will cover the shoulder blades and scapula in the back as well as our sternum in the front.

- For pants pads, athletes need 7 pieces; some come separately or in a girdle set. Though more expensive, a girdle set can save a lot of time getting ready.

- Check for antimicrobial treatment.  Hygiene is important, even in a game where you spend a lot of time in the dirt.

-  If using league issued pads make sure they have been reconditioned and cleaned.

-  Lighter padding can be better. It not only can help a player run faster, but can keep them cooler.

Football is all about running the ball right? So you have to make sure you have the proper cleat, sprained ankles and sore feet won’t help win the game.

-   Make sure the shoes are a good fit. Don’t feel compelled to buy a specific brand, shop around to be sure the shoe fits snugly but not tightly. Stay away from looser shoes for older kids, this can help avoid blisters.

-  Stay off of concrete. Cleats are meant to be in grass for a reason. They are unstable on concrete and can cause heel pain as well as a possible ankle injury.

-  Again, cheaper is not always the better way to go, especially when taking into account durability and fit. Find a comfortable shoe that can last a season or two.

 

So, there are some simple ways to stay safe this or any spring football season.  Almega Sports carries several brands of helmets and pads such as All-Star that is affordable and well-reviewed. We’re excited for the start of spring football and as always, Almega Sports has got you covered!

Top 10 List for Travel/Tournament Ball

It's tournament season!  This is the season of smelly cleats, clay in the car mats, and weekend road trips. The question is, do you have everything you need for tournament weekends?  Almega Sports has the top 10 must have items for the season.

1. Carry Wagon - this will be the best money you spend.
2. Folding Chairs - save your back, long days are ahead.                                 
3. Dryer Sheets and Bug Repellent - dryer sheets work wonders to keep gnats away!
4. Umbrella - better to be prepared than soaking wet.
5. Cash - no cash, no entry at the gate!
6. Tent (carry bag with wheels is best) - the summer sun is intense!
7. Sunscreen - second degree sunburns are no laughing matter.
8. Mini Fan - it's going to be HOT!
9. Extension Cord - it's a given that someone will need it.
10. Towels and Wet Wipes- sanitation at the ball field is well, compromised.

Almega Sports has you covered with all things sporting goods.  We are the only locally owned and operated full sports store in Panama City, Florida.  Almega carries lines such as Akadema, Mizuno, Worth, 3N2, and Easton.  One stop, one shop, done. 

What Are Team Mom Responsibilities?

Congratulations, you have been "elected" to be the team mom of your squad!  Do you know the responsibilities and obligations that accompany this title?  Don't worry, many don't.  Unfortunately, sports teams simply assign the team mom duties to a parent without consideration of their work, family, or other life obligations.  Almega Sports has put together a few tips to help you enjoy the position of team mom, rather than being stretched and stressed.

9 Common Duties of Team Mom:

1. Team registration and organization of birth certificates
2. Uniform sizing
3. Organization of fundraising opportunities
4. Publishing game schedules and practice times
5. Organization of post game snacks for the players
6. Recruiting volunteers (assigning tasks)
7. Travel packets to include:  driving directions, hotel accommodations, meeting, and meal times
8. Collecting of team money
9. Liaison between parents and coaches

Remember, just because you have been selected to be the team mom, doesn't mean that you are required to wear a cape and perform the impossible.  Our advice is to recruit, assign, organize, and accomplish the demand and needs, of the team, with your fellow team parents.  This will be an excellent teaching opportunity for the parents to show the true meaning of sportsmanship to their players. 

Custom Uniforms

There are so many choices when it comes to custom team uniforms.  Screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, and tackle twill are all great choices, but what is the difference between them?  Which choice is the best fit for my team and my budget?  Almega Sports has you covered.  We are specialist in custom team uniforms and we will explain the different options that are out there.

Screen printing is a very popular and affordable option for team uniforms.  Screens can be placed on virtually any fabric and come in multitude of colors and designs.  Screens can also be customized to any logo and transferred easily to jerseys and fan apparel.  This provides the most cost effective and versatile option while not sacrificing on your design and desired style for your team. 

Embroidery is often reserved to corporate team shirts, coaching shirts, and small logo designs.  This option is more expensive than screen printing.  However, embroidery offers a very professional and clean look for polo style coaching shirts, team bags, and even fan apparel and traditionally offers a longer life on the design.

Sublimation is a great choice for custom team uniforms.   It is the latest concept in uniform design.  Sublimation takes a blank white uniform and chemically injects colored dyes deep into the fabric.  While this option is more expensive then screen printing, it provides a long lasting product with greater versatility when it comes to unique designs. 

Tackle twill is most often seen in baseball, basketball and football jerseys.  This is a great option when the uniform is required to be used for multiple seasons.  This type of uniform offers a professional look and lengthy durability.  It is the choice of all professional sports uniforms.  Tackle twill is the customized stitching of machine cut fabric in multiple layers onto the surface of a uniform.  While tackle twill is the most expensive uniform available, the durability of the product proves to be most cost effective in the long run.

Almega Sports is your custom uniform team specialist.  We offer screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, and tackle twill team uniforms.  Our team of designers will assist you in every step of the uniform process from logo design to fan apparel. 

Almega Sports has team uniforms covered!

Team Uniforms

There is now more pressure than ever to save money in every area possible.  Unfortunately, extracurricular activities such as, school athletics often fall victim to necessary budget cuts.  Recreational leagues and travel ball clubs are also feeling the pinch when it comes to securing sponsors for their teams.  However, where there is a will there is a way and ball is being played on fields and courts across the country. 

Now that athletic directors, coaches, and team sponsors are required to be more creative than ever with  budget dollars, the question on where to purchase team uniforms will be a top priority.  Internet team dealers are sometimes chosen to provide uniforms at an inexpensive price.  However, buyers beware.  There are often downfalls to purchasing team uniforms at 
                                                   a bargain basement price. 

In a recent interview with Coach Mike Walker, co-owner of Almega Sports, he addresses the benefit of choosing a locally owned and operated uniform supplier over Internet sales.

We are experts in the area of team sales and custom uniforms.  Our dedicated and experienced team sales department will help you customize your team uniforms and have your players stand out on every field while keeping your team budget in bounds.  We have you covered!

How to Install Football Pant Pads

Are you ready for some football?  More importantly, are you ready to gear up your football player?  We know that getting a young football player ready for practice can be a frustrating experience, especially if you are new to the game.  No worries.  We have created a short video to demonstrate how to properly install football pant pads. Just one more way Almega Sports has football season COVERED!

TIP:  Use a fine tip marker to mark the pant pads and the corresponding position in the pants.  For example, on the right knee pad simply mark the pad "R Knee" or use and arrow to indicate which way the pad should be installed.  This may alleviate some frustration when getting ready to hit the field.

Almega Sports has everything you need to get your players ready for the football field.  We are the only full line football store in Panama City, Florida with a wide selection of helmets, shoulder pads, cleats, and practice attire.  We also special order custom equipment such as helmet, shoulder pads, and the full line of McDavid Sports Medicine athletic braces. 

Almega Sports has you covered! 



Football Safety Part Two: What is Football Personal Protection Equipment

Part two of our football blog series will dive into personal protection equipment.  We have compiled a list of protective equipment for football players as well as the part of the body it protects, injuries it may prevent, common brands to look for, and the proper fit for the equipment.  Remember, the key to proper fit for you player is to actually take the player with you and try on the equipment.

1. Helmet
• Protection:  Head, brain, neck, and spine
• Prevention:  Concussions, neck, and spinal cord injury  
• Brands:  Xenith, Schutt, All Star, Adams, Rawlings, Riddell      
• Fit:  Football helmet fit is crucial and must fit properly to avoid serious or fatal injury.
          *see our how to video on properly fitting youth football helmets.
2. Neck Rolls
• Protection:  Neck and spine 
• Prevention:  Spinal cord injury 
• Brands:  McDavid (Cowboy Collar), Schutt, and Adams     
• Fit:  Allow one of our football specialist to assist you with fitting neck rolls on your player 
3. Mouth Guards
• Protection:  Teeth, tongue, and jaw
• Prevention:  Tooth, tongue injury and jaw concussion                
• Brands:  Sock Doctor, Adams, Tap Out, and Under Armour
• Fit:  Mouth guards will vary in price and composition.  Fit will vary.
4. Rib and Back Protection
• Protection:  Ribs and Spine
• Prevention:  Rib fractures and spinal cord injury
• Brands:  Nike Pro Combat, McDavid Hexalite, and All Star
• Fit:  Rib protection equipment should fit snugly against the ribs and stay in position.   Back protection can be independent of the shoulder pads or connected to the should pads.  Both types attempt to provide protection from direct impact to the spine. 
5. Shoulder Pads
• Protection:  Direct impact to the shoulders, chest, and upper back
• Prevention:  Fractures, separated shoulders, and spinal cord injury
• Brands:  Schutt, Adams, and All Star
• Fit:  Shoulder pads should fit snugly about the chest and shoulders while still offering the player mobility.
6. Arm and Elbow Pads
• Protection:  Hands, forearms, and elbows
• Prevention:  Contusions and fractures to the hands, forearms, and elbows
• Brands:  Nike, McDavid, and Adams
7. Pant Pads
• Protection:  Spine, pelvis, legs, and  knees
• Prevention:  The seven pads that make up the "pant pads" have similar duties. 
  

  The tail or spine pad is designed to prevent injury to the tailbone.  The hip pads protect damage to the pelvis.  The thigh pads offer protection to the muscles and bones in the upper leg or femur.  Last but certainly not least are the knee pads that protect the most frequently injured part of the body.
• Brands:  Schutt, Adams, and All Star
8. Cleats
• Protection:  Ankles and feet
• Prevention:  Protects the ankle against rolling preventing ankle sprain and fracture.
• Brands:  Nike, Rawlings, and Under Armour
• Fit:  Mid cleats are designed for athletes that have a history of ankle injury.  Low cleats offer more mobility.  The cleat should fit the player properly and not be too big or too tight.

Don't allow the multitude of accessories, brands, and variations overwhelm you on your quest to outfit your player.  Almega Sports has you covered and has trained staff members to help you properly fit your player for the field.  We have the brands, equipment, and accessories you want at prices that will keep your budget in bounds. 

                                                                         
                     

Do You Know the Signs of a Concussion?

There has been much media attention about concussions in the NFL.  The same is true in youth football programs.  Estimates are that 85% of concussions in youth programs go undiagnosed and untreated.  Much of the reason for the high statistic is due to the lack of funding for athletic trainers on the fields to identify the issue. 

So what is a concussion?  A concussion is any injury that forces the brain to shake violently against the inside of the skull causing injury.  The injury is dangerous and there is much research on the long term effects on chronic brain injury.  The bottom line with any head injury is that if a player is knocked unconscious the damage can be serious.  Even a minor hit may take a long time to recover. 

The signs of a concussion:  loss of consciousness or drowsiness, dizzy feeling, confusion, headache, ringing in ears, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech, and loss of memory of events regarding the injury.

*The player does not have to demonstrate all of these symptoms to have a concussion.

The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not be immediately apparent. Symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even longer.

Do you need further information on prevention of serious injury on the field?  Almega Sports has you covered and will continue with our blog series on football protection equipment.

Almega Sports takes player protection up a notch and provides everything you will need to get your football player ready for the season.  We are your local sporting goods store specializing in all the major brands such as Schutt, McDavid, Adams, Rawlings, All Star and more at prices that will keep you on the field.   

Football Safety: How to fit a football helmet

 

Football is a serious game of skill, intensity, reading your opponent, and of shear brute force.  All of the proceeding should be taken very seriously.  The physical force of the game could literally mean the difference between life or death.  Personal protection gear should be given the utmost attention and taken to the highest degree of seriousness because your child's very life depends on it.  This two part series will dive into football personal protection gear and the important roll they play in the game.

The key to optimal helmet safety is proper fit.  Premier helmets such as the Xenith X1, Schutt Ion 4D, Schutt DNA Recruit, and the All Star Catalyst offer inflatable air pads that conform to the players head for optimal protection and comfort.  Air pads offer superior performance against constant collisions versus traditional foam padding.   However, traditional foam pad football helmets have evolved greatly to provide optimal head protection and are the most likely issued helmet in recreational football.  Elite dual density foam helmets such as the Adams Y4, Schutt Recruit, and the Schutt Air Standard will provide your player critical head protection.

The key to safety equipment performing optimally is the proper fit.  The following are the essentials to properly fitting a football helmet.

 

 

1. First, you must take your player to try on the helmet.  Improper helmet size can lead to injury. The helmet should fit snug to the players head and move with the player.  The helmet should not be loose, wobble, or slide up on the head.  This would indicate improper fit.
2. Chin straps should be in the center of the players chin and the strap needs to be adjusted to fit snug to the player.
3. Face mask should be properly installed and not obscure the players vision in any way.  Have the player put the helmet on and move around to ensure that he can see in all directions.
4. The players eyebrows should not be more than 1 inch below the edge of the front of the helmet. 
5. The players ear openings and the helmets side holes should be centered.
6. The helmet must properly protect the base of the players skull with out interfering with the back of the neck.
7. Jaw pads need to follow the players cheeks.

The bottom line is that your players safety should be your top priority.  Prevention is the key to long term brain and physical safety.  The key to purchasing a football helmet is to get the helmet on the player and move around as if on the football field.  The helmet is the most important piece of equipment in this sport and the proper helmet is crucial to preventing potential life threatening or permanent injury. 

  

Almega Sports takes player protection up a notch and provides you everything you need to get your football player ready for the season.  We specialize in all the major brands such as Schutt, McDavid, Adams, Rawlings, All Star and more at prices that will keep you on the field.