The soccer shin guard is the main piece of protective gear for a soccer player. Unlike some sports, there is minimal protective gear required for a soccer player, however should the [tag-tec]soccer shin guard[/tag-tec] be worn at soccer training or is it only a requirement for soccer games? Why should you have to wear them at practice, no-one gets hurt at training, do they? In this article, I want to address these questions and also provide some tips on buying the right soccer shin guard for your child.

Current soccer training practices involve a strong emphasis on small sided games at training and rightly so. This creates more of a game like situation at training, resulting in a more competitive approach to soccer drills by the players, which in turn provides the soccer coach an opportunity to view players’ reactions in certain game like conditions. The emphasis is on mirroring a game situation and the player is encouraged to train as though it is a real game .

When I was playing soccer, (many, many moons ago), it was compulsory to wear soccer shin guards at soccer training. No [tag-tec]soccer shin guard[/tag-tec], no training and start the game on the bench the next weekend. A strict rule that was applied by all my coaches at the time but a rule that every soccer player and soccer parent was well aware of. However, from my observations recently, there seems to be a growing trend for our youth players to not wear their soccer shin guard while training.

Question – Why is that kids don’t want want to wear shin guards at soccer training?

Answer – Don’t Know. However, I can offer some possible reasons:

• Not cool – Maybe the kids don’t think they are fashionable enough?

• Too lazy – Can’t be bothered putting them on

• Feel uncomfortable – Some players complain that they feel restricted with the soccer shin guard on.

• Prefer to wear short socks to soccer training with boots.

Whatever the reason, if the player does not have a soccer shin guard on at soccer training the chances of injury are increased dramatically. As a player grows and develops, they become more skilled and knowledgeable of the game. They also play the game more competitively and aggressively. This flows over to training as well. If you are coaching youth soccer, I encourage you to insist that all players bring the[tag-tec]soccer shin guard[/tag-tec] to training and if you are going to be undertaking [tag-tec]soccer drills[/tag-tec] that could result in contact, ensure they put the shin guards on. I would welcome your thoughts and views on this and if you have noticed this trend as well.

Soccer Shin Guard – Buying Tips

Shin guards are very important to the player and getting the right fit is just as important. Here are some helpful hints that will help you find just the right fit for shin guards whether you are buying them for yourself or your child.

• As mentioned earlier, the soccer shin guard is very important during a soccer game because they are there to protect the lower leg. When you think about soccer, you know that most of the blows are from kicks. Many soccer players wear cleated shoes, so if you get kicked in an unprotected area, it can be quite painful. Shin guards are worn below the knee and usually under knee-length socks. These pads can be almost any price and are made out of a wide range of material. For most amateur players, such as children, rubber or plastic shin guards will suffice. You will find more expensive soccer shin guard made out of fiberglass and Kevlar, which quite interestingly enough is the same material that bullet proof vests are made from. Younger players can get away with wearing the lighter version of the [tag-tec]soccer shin guard[/tag-tec] but as the playing gets more serous, consider spending the extra money for something that is better made and offers a greater amount of protection.
  

• When you are ready to buy the soccer shin guard, the first thing you will want to do is to look at the size. The shin guards should fit over the front part of the shin snugly, but not too tight. They should fit about one inch above the foot and right under your knee. If the shin guard is too long, they will be uncomfortable to wear. If they are too short, they will not give the right amount of protection during a game. If you are buying them for a child, then you might want to take them shopping with you to try out the various brands. Alternatively, you can look through my[tag-tec]soccer store[/tag-tec] as I have a great range of quality soccer shin guards on display. You can access my store by clicking here. Once you are in the soccer store, just click on ‘Kids Protective Gear’ and view the shin guards on display.

• All soccer shin guards are designed to do the same job. Brands vary from one to another. Also, you will want to look at how the guards stay fastened in place. Some have strips of Velcro that attached closed to the back of the leg. These are easy to get on and off; however, many people dislike the way the Velcro feels during a game. This is especially true with children who seem to be more sensitive to that feeling. Look for guards that slip on over the foot and stay in place that way.
  

• Another thing you want to consider when buying a new soccer shin guard is the durability. You need to find a pair that is easily washed. Believe it or not, bacteria can spread if shin guards are not cared for properly. If you have unwashed shin guards on your leg and have a small cut, the bacteria can enter the blood stream and cause multiple problems. It is recommended that you wash shin guards regularly and allow them to dry in the sun. It might also not be a bad idea to use spray disinfectant on the guards after each use.

I hope these tips assist you to find a good soccer shin guard for either yourself or your child. Additionally, I would love to hear your thoughts on wearing soccer shin guard at soccer training and what experiences or observations you may have had.