The shin guard can be a soccer player's best friend. The game is one of speed, grace, deception and strategy, but it is also one of power. The offensive player is running with the ball and is about to send a cross to the penalty area when a defender tries to prevent this potential scoring opportunity by sliding in to tackle the ball; at some point, the offensive player's foot comes into contact with the defender's shin. In scenarios like this, having that pad in place can prevent serious injuries from taking place. Shin guards and other protective gear were not always used in soccer but they are common now. Players want protection and they want it from lightweight materials that won't slow them down. Today's shin guards offer those assurances.
What to Look for
Shin guards can be made from fiberglass, plastic, foam rubber and polyurethane. They also have a foam backing that is attached directly to the shin. Different positions require different types of shin guards. While a goaltender regularly faces a barrage of hard shots and will often come into contact with other players when going up to catch a ball, he is not usually involved in serious tackling. As a result, foam rubber pads can suffice. Defenders are constantly tackling and are regularly in harm's way, so they need the strongest and heaviest padding that they can comfortably wear while playing. Fiberglass is good in this situation while polyurethane is even better. Midfielders don't have to tackle as much as defenders but it is still a requirement, so they should wear the stronger pads if it is not too much of a drain on their energy. Forwards can wear the lighter plastic or foam pads so they can move at full speed with ease while still getting some protection.
Common Pitfalls
Soccer players are some of the most competitive athletes in all of sports. They look for any possible edge they can get and some players might be willing to don smaller pads if it means less weight to carry around on the field for a 90-minute game. This should not be done. The proper length of a shin pad should be 1 inch less than the measurement of the distance between your knee and ankle. Using pads that are smaller can invite disaster.
What to Look for
Shin guards can be made from fiberglass, plastic, foam rubber and polyurethane. They also have a foam backing that is attached directly to the shin. Different positions require different types of shin guards. While a goaltender regularly faces a barrage of hard shots and will often come into contact with other players when going up to catch a ball, he is not usually involved in serious tackling. As a result, foam rubber pads can suffice. Defenders are constantly tackling and are regularly in harm's way, so they need the strongest and heaviest padding that they can comfortably wear while playing. Fiberglass is good in this situation while polyurethane is even better. Midfielders don't have to tackle as much as defenders but it is still a requirement, so they should wear the stronger pads if it is not too much of a drain on their energy. Forwards can wear the lighter plastic or foam pads so they can move at full speed with ease while still getting some protection.
Common Pitfalls
Soccer players are some of the most competitive athletes in all of sports. They look for any possible edge they can get and some players might be willing to don smaller pads if it means less weight to carry around on the field for a 90-minute game. This should not be done. The proper length of a shin pad should be 1 inch less than the measurement of the distance between your knee and ankle. Using pads that are smaller can invite disaster.
