We are required to wear jockstraps in our PE class at school. I’ve heard of wearing a cup for protection in some sports, but what is the purpose of wearing a regular jockstrap without a cup?

Thanks for your question. A jock strap and cups can be helpful protective gear for sports, just like a helmet. A jock strap helps keep the penis and testicles close to your body during movement, and so may help prevent injury. For non-contact sports (such as track) a jock strap may provide enough protection. For contact sports (such as basketball and football) we recommend wearing a jock strap and a cup, which will provide extra protection.​