Soccer shin guards are designed to absorb or deflect the impact of a kick or of the ball hitting the shin to prevent fractures and other injuries. In most cases, soccer players are required to wear shin guards. Guards that are sized too small will not provide adequate protection, while shin guards that are too loose will feel uncomfortable and may move out of place on the leg. Choosing the right size guard is important to ensure protection without interfering with movement while playing the game. Shin guards are made of various materials, including fiberglass, foam rubber, plastic and polyurethane.
Step 1
Measure your shin starting just below your bent knee to approximately 1 inch above the top of your cleat. It is easiest to do this with a fabric measuring tape, but a standard ruler is also adequate. The resulting number is the length of your shin guard. The My Youth Soccer Guide website recommends using a shin guard that covers about 3/4 of your shin.
Step 2
Put the shin guard on to make certain it is long enough to protect your shin but short enough to allow full mobility of your knee and ankle. The guard should cover most of your skin between your knee and ankle and be tight enough to prevent slipping.
Step 3
Tighten the straps that reach around the back of your leg or put on a sock over the shin guard. Walk around and check to see that the shin guard has not fallen lower on your leg or turned sideways. If movement of the shin guard occurs, you likely need to choose a different style or size.
Step 4
Attach the ankle protectors, if applicable, and walk around to make certain they fit and do not interfere with movement. The ankle protectors should not be so tight as to pull the shin guard down lower on your leg.
Tips and Warnings
- According to official FIFA rules, there are no size limitations for shin guards. Shin guards must be covered completely by stockings, be made of plastic, rubber or another appropriate material, and provide reasonable protection to the shin area.
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