- Several styles of rib protection are offered, a good option for players with sore ribs or who take constant pounding from tackles
- Many shoulder pad manufacturers sell a rib protector that extends from the bottom of their pads.
- Also available are vests that use hook-and-loop closures to secure the vest, which has padding built-in to the vest to protect the ribs.
- Some models come with suspenders that then have rib protection padding at the bottom.
- Rib pads can be attached to shoulder pads or worn separately with suspenders, the latter typically for light practices.
