How to Select Shin Guards for Soccer

Have you ever been kicked in the shin? Not a good feeling. A proper fitting shin guard should provides soccer players with much needed protection. Shin bruises hurt and take time to heal. So the best protection for shins are the shin guards

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Most athletic stores have knowledgeable staff that can help you properly fit your kids with shin-guards. But if you want to go it alone here is a practical guide. The shin is located between the knee and ankle. Shin guards sizes run from small to large. There are many brands and price ranges. Other factors that can sometimes influence your shin-guard purchase include level of play, player's position, fit and style.

2. The shin-guard was made to fit the shin area. The player should be able to bend the knee and foot at the ankle freely without interference from the shin-guard. The shin-guard is secured either by Velcro straps or are pulled into place if it is a one piece. Velcro straps should not be too tight in that it cuts off circulation. The soccer socks is then placed over the shin-guard. Adjustments can be made as needed. Although there are many different opinions of how a guard should be fitted, organizations such as the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) is making it easier for players, coaches and officials to differentiate which shin guards are to be worn. They require manufactures to now specify which size is correct for a particular sized player. The committee also requires fitting and positioning instructions or graphics showing proper fit and position.

3. Recommended shin-guards for most players are fiberglass. They are light weight and provide superior protection. Younger players usually start off wearing one piece shin-guards that have attached ankle guards. The ankle guards help to protect the ankle and Achilles tendon from direct kicks. They are flexible and do not hinder movement. Older players prefer two piece shin-guards or the single guard that fits into a special compression sleeves. It gives them more flexibility.

4. Safety should be the first consideration. Many soccer players are injured each year needlessly because they do not use the proper gear. Most soccer leagues will not allow children to practice or play without the proper protection. Another recommendations for parents is to try on shin-guards themselves. This allows them to get firsthand knowledge on how shin-guards feel and help them to understand the restriction in movement if the proper shin-guard is not purchased.

[s1sportusa]

on 9/8/2009 While I certainly agree with most of the information provided by the author; some of the recommendations are not correct or up to date.

For example, the proper size and placement of shin guards should be 2 inches (3 fingers high) above the top of the ankle (not the cleat) and ideally it should cover the shin up to 2 inches (again 3 fingers) from the top of the shin bone. These are the very same recommendations that the NFHS and NCAA require for all U.S. High School and College players.

Our company, S1 Sport, is a soccer specialty company and our only business is making more protective, more comfortable and lighter weight Shin, Ankle & Achilles guards. Our unique Shin Protection System even eliminates the odor and rash issues that other shin guards have. We also make Ankle & Achilles pads that are comfortable to wear and virtually weightless.

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