Some professional footballers don’t like the feeling of wearing shin guards and so choose to wear small shin guards as this is the closest thing to wearing shin guards and just to follow the rules.

However, FIFA requires that shin guards provide an adequate level of protection. The referees clearly do not enforce this rule on a professional level as many players get away with it and now only wear minimal shin guards.

This is a risky approach as players rely on their health and freedom from injury to carry out their role as professional footballers.

How Do the Shin Guards Stay in Place?

During a soccer game, having to keep adjusting your shin guards can be very frustrating because they keep sliding down during the game. This is usually because you don’t have the right accessories to properly clip your shin guards on before the game. To prevent this from happening, consider wearing shin guard accessories.

Shin Guard Accessories

There are several accessories available to help secure your shin guards and enable a comfortable soccer game.

1. SHIN GUARDS SLEEVES

Shin guards are like compression sleeves that are worn over the shin guards to keep the guard in place and prevent any movement during the soccer game. The shin guards are worn under the soccer sock.

Some players prefer the feeling of wearing shin guards due to the compression that keeps the shin guards firmly in place. However, other players do not want to wear compression sleeves as this can restrict the expansion of the calf muscle and lead to cramps.

2. SHIN GUARD BARS

Shin guards are worn around the ankles and are intended to prevent the shin guards from sliding down. Shin guards are worn over socks, wrapped around the ankles, and fastened with Velcro or similar.

The great thing about wearing muay thai shin guards is that you can get them in a variety of different colours, and they can be easily removed without leaving any residue.

3. SOCK STRAP

Tape can be used in several ways to hold your shin guards in place. This can be done by wrapping the socks around the ankle, around the shin guard itself, or around the leg above the shin guard.

A big advantage of the tape is the fact that you can decide how firmly you want to attach the tape. However, if the sock tape is attached too tightly it can restrict movement and cut into the skin during play. Some tapes leave residues on the sock even after they have been peeled off. There are a variety of colours and different types of tape that can be used, but electrical tape is the most common because of its elasticity.

Does The Price Matter?

When you buy shin guards, you have a relatively large price range. Of course, as an occasional athlete, you can buy cheap models for around 10 to 20 euros. But if you do the sport professionally, it is better to invest a little more money and start with models in a price range of 50 euros or more.

If you do a sport like martial arts or hockey, it doesn’t matter whether you do it occasionally or professionally. You should always spend a little more money here. Just weigh how much your shins are at risk.

But also keep calm to the manufacturer’s instructions. Because not all shin guards are created equal. There are also special models for special sports and of course that makes sense so that you have optimal protection for your shins.

Schweinsteiger And Podolski Initiate the Trend

As a player, you still have a lot of leeway when it comes to the shin guards. Of course, some footballers take this to extremes. At least since Schweinsteiger and Podolski were shown at the 2006 World Cup with a touch of nothing under their socks. A small plastic plate of maximum 6 × 6 cm in size. It remains questionable whether this can still be called shin guards.

We have also seen it in the amateur field that players simply put a couple of handkerchiefs under their necks. This is of course unwise, because even if 1 – 2 games go well, at the latest with the next major foul you expose yourself to a serious injury.

The Right Fit

Ideally, you buy the shin guards in a shop or at least try them on there. When you have found a pair that fits well, you can of course also buy them on the Internet and even save a little money.

A good fit means that the shin guards completely cover your shin. That means they should end just below the knee and just above the instep. The shin must also be completely embedded on the side. The shin guards must not slip while running. So, give it a try, kick your foot, and make movements typical of your sport to see how well you sit. Of course, you can also fix the shin guards with tape, but this is usually only necessary for martial arts. By the way, there are also great elastic socks that you can pull over the mma shin guards. They are very thin and ensure a good hold of the schooner. These are not only popular with footballers.

As Small as Possible, As Big as Necessary

The general rule for shin guards is to be as small as possible and as large as necessary. So, they should be big enough to offer enough protection when the going gets tough.

The big manufacturers like Nike or Adidas naturally try to take up this motto as well. The latest shin guards are getting lighter and thinner. As a player, you no longer have the feeling of having a large, clunky piece of plastic stuck to your shin. They sit comfortably on the shinbone and are still adequately padded.

It looked different 15 years ago. Most shin guards still had standard ankle protection for the ankle and were felt to be almost twice as large as they are today. As a little boy, the shin guards went almost up to the kneecap, because of course the parents were not familiar with the different sizes either. Of course, this is anything but ideal. Sometimes the scissors only helped to cut away the annoying ankle protection.

James Montano