Overview
Soccer shin guards are designed to protect your shins by either deflecting or absorbing the impact of a kick from another player. Some shin guards cover only the shin, while others include padding around the ankle to give additional protection against accidental kicks. Models with ankle padding are especially recommended for forwards and young or beginner soccer players. Defensemen should typically choose heavier shin guards with better padding, while midfielders will try to balance protection and light weight.
Step 1
Put on your soccer shoes, sit down and bend one knee. Measure from just below where the knee bends to one inch above the top of your shoe. This is your appropriate shin guard length. If you find doing the measuring process by yourself awkward, ask a friend to help.
Step 2
Measure your height as well. Again, you may need a friend to help you. Some shin guards are sized according to age and height; if you're under 5 feet 4 inches in height, try on shin guards that are designated as medium or junior. Individuals over 5 feet 4 inches in height will want senior or large size shin guards.
Step 3
Try on the shin guards along with your soccer socks and shoes. In most cases, you'll find it easier to put the shin guards on before your soccer socks; pull the guard up over your ankle, if it has ankle protection, then fasten the closures behind your calf. Pull the socks up over the guards and put your soccer shoes on. The exception to this is shin guards without closures, which are meant to be held in place by your sock. You'll have to put the sock on first in this case.
Step 4
Bend your knee and examine the shin guards---they should cover your entire shin from an inch above the shoe to just below where your knee bends. Walk around in the shin guards, soccer socks and soccer shoes for a few minutes. If you don't feel any pressure points or rubbing from the shin guards, you are good to go.
Soccer shin guards are designed to protect your shins by either deflecting or absorbing the impact of a kick from another player. Some shin guards cover only the shin, while others include padding around the ankle to give additional protection against accidental kicks. Models with ankle padding are especially recommended for forwards and young or beginner soccer players. Defensemen should typically choose heavier shin guards with better padding, while midfielders will try to balance protection and light weight.
Step 1
Put on your soccer shoes, sit down and bend one knee. Measure from just below where the knee bends to one inch above the top of your shoe. This is your appropriate shin guard length. If you find doing the measuring process by yourself awkward, ask a friend to help.
Step 2
Measure your height as well. Again, you may need a friend to help you. Some shin guards are sized according to age and height; if you're under 5 feet 4 inches in height, try on shin guards that are designated as medium or junior. Individuals over 5 feet 4 inches in height will want senior or large size shin guards.
Step 3
Try on the shin guards along with your soccer socks and shoes. In most cases, you'll find it easier to put the shin guards on before your soccer socks; pull the guard up over your ankle, if it has ankle protection, then fasten the closures behind your calf. Pull the socks up over the guards and put your soccer shoes on. The exception to this is shin guards without closures, which are meant to be held in place by your sock. You'll have to put the sock on first in this case.
Step 4
Bend your knee and examine the shin guards---they should cover your entire shin from an inch above the shoe to just below where your knee bends. Walk around in the shin guards, soccer socks and soccer shoes for a few minutes. If you don't feel any pressure points or rubbing from the shin guards, you are good to go.
