Captain Armbands

Captain armbands in youth and adult sizes for soccer and field hockey, in elastic slip-on and hook-and-loop styles. Bright, reflective and printed "C" options make the captain easy for officials and teammates to spot.

When a captain armband is required

In soccer, the armband is part of the rules, not just tradition. Under the Laws of the Game, each team must have a captain on the field who wears an identifying armband. High school soccer under NFHS rules requires the team captain to wear an armband on the upper arm. Field hockey has the same expectation: international and USA Field Hockey rules say captains must wear a distinctive armband or similar marker on the upper arm, shoulder, or over the sock. Officials use it to know who they're talking to on a call or at the coin toss.

Choosing an armband

  • Size. Youth armbands fit roughly 5th grade and younger. Adult sizes fit middle school players and up.
  • Closure. Elastic slip-on bands are simple and stay put. Hook-and-loop bands adjust to any arm and slip on over a long sleeve or base layer, which helps when the armband moves between players at halftime or when a captain subs off.
  • Width and visibility. Wider bands, around 3.5 inches, are easier to see from across the field than narrow 2-inch bands. Hi-vis colors and reflective strips stand out against any jersey and under lights.
  • Color. Pick a color that contrasts with the team's jersey. A yellow band disappears on a yellow kit. Teams with home and away colors often keep one armband for each.

For coaches and team managers

Armbands are small and easy to lose, so keep a spare in the team bag. In youth programs that rotate captains game to game, a single adjustable armband is easier to pass around than fitted sizes.

Captain Armbands FAQs

The rules only say the upper arm. By convention, most captains wear it on the left arm. Make sure it sits above the elbow and stays visible, not tucked under a sleeve.

The Laws of the Game and NFHS high school rules require it. Many youth leagues follow the same rule, though recreational leagues vary. Referees often check for it at the coin toss, so it's worth having one in the bag even if your league is relaxed about it.

No. In ice hockey, the captain wears a "C" and alternate captains wear an "A" sewn or attached to the front of the jersey, usually on the left chest or shoulder. Captain armbands are used in soccer, field hockey and other field sports.

Some can. Reversible armbands have a captain side and a plain black side. Teams wear the black side to honor someone who has died or to mark a moment of remembrance, so the team doesn't need a separate set of bands.

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