How to Wear Soccer Shin Guards Properly: 4 Simple
Are you wondering how to wear soccer shin guards? Shin guards, also known as shin pads, are the most important piece of protective soccer gear regardless of your playing level or position.
If you are new to the game, it might be a bit confusing knowing how to wear this very important piece of training gear. That is why, in this blog, I will cover everything you need to know about how to wear your shin guards correctly.
How do you wear soccer shin guards properly?
Choose the right type of shin guards
Soccer shin guards come in different shapes and styles, and whatever choice you go with is again up to you, but as far as I know, most professional-level and higher-level players will wear the traditional slip-in shin guards.
- Slip-in Shin Guards
- Most shin guards you will see while playing soccer are the traditional slip-in shin guards that slide into your socks and can be held together in various ways, which I will cover next.
- Ankle Shin Guards
- Ankle shin guards are exactly what they sound like, and they come with extra ankle protection. These are the most common type of shin guards among youth soccer players who require more player safety.
- Shin Socks
- Shin socks are a budget-friendly option that combine long socks with shin guards into one, making it easier for youth soccer players to put on their shin guards.
- Sleeve Shin Guards
- Sleeve shin guards are the most convenient because not only are they very useful for official matches, but they can also be worn easily without long socks when playing pick-up games, futsal, or beach soccer.
Choose the right shin Guard Size:
When it comes to safety and comfort, the size of your shin guards plays a huge role, but the size you choose is ultimately a matter of personal preference. There are suggestions for which shin guards players should wear, but there is no right size.
Some players may like the recommendations made by brands that make shin guards, while other players may like smaller shin guards, so it feels like they aren’t wearing anything, or bigger shin guards, for more protection.
Whatever size you choose is up to you and your playing style, but make sure you wear the shin guards properly by measuring from below your knee to an inch above your ankle, then compare the measurement with the manufacturer’s sizing chart to find the perfect fit for your preferences.
Gather your Training Gear and Equipment
Once you have the right type and size shin guards, it is important to grab the rest of your training gear.
- Soccer Shin Guards
- Soccer Shin Guard Sleeves and/or shin guard straps
- Soccer Grip Socks or other high-quality socks
- Soccer Cleats, turf cleats, or indoor soccer shoes
- Pre-cut Soccer Socks
Put on your Shin Guards
To put on your shin guards, no matter what type you are wearing, follow these general steps.
- Put on your shin guards – right in the middle of your shin between your ankle and knee
- Put on your shin guard sleeves over your shin guard- this is optional
- Put on your socks or grip socks along the pre-cut soccer sleeve
- Use straps to help hold everything in place
Summary
To summarize, knowing how to wear shin guards is one of the most important things to know when playing soccer, especially in a competitive environment, to stay safe and injury-free. The right size shin guard comes down to personal preference, but always make sure it provides enough protection and that you wear it securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you hold shin guards in place?
There are three main ways to help add extra support to keep your shin guards in place. The best option would be to invest in high-quality shin guard sleeves and straps so you can reuse them instead of having to use new athletic tape or pre-wrap every time.
– Shin guard sleeves
– athletic tape or pre-wrap
– shin guard straps
How to wear shin guards and how they should fit?
There are right ways and wrong ways to wear socks and shin guards. The right way to wear a shin guard is for it to do its main job: protecting the shin area. To do this, the shin guard should be under your socks and about an inch or two above the ankle and about an inch or two from the knee, right in the middle of the shin.
Do shin guards go over or under socks?
Shin guards are meant to be worn under socks, not over them, whether they’re your team socks, grip socks, or any other type of sock.
How do you wash soccer shin guards?
Shin guards can get really smelly because of the sweat that builds up when you play, which is why it is important to know how to wash your shin guards properly.
