Play It Safe - Wear The Right Soccer Shinguards!
A mandatory
requirement in soccer is for every player to wear soccer shinguards, in fact,
referees will not allow players to play without proper shin guards. Their
primary purpose is to protect various bones in the leg, primarily the shin, from
injury and hence the term shin guard. It is important to understand different
criteria when selecting shinguards as there is quite a variety from which to
choose.
There are a
number of popular brands of shinguards such as Adidas, Nike, Lotto, Brine, and
Mizuno Tsunami. Some manufacturers even design shinguards to custom to fit your
leg!
Although the
primary purpose of a shin guard is to protect your shin from the force of a
kick, it must be comfortable enough so as to not hinder your movement and
interfere with your play. Shinguards are made from various different types of
materials including: -
-
Fiberglass. Fiberglass
is lightweight and offers very good protection, and is therefore ideally
suited to younger soccer players. Midfielders and forwards would also
benefit from lightweight shinguards.
-
Foam rubber. Shinguards
made from foam rubber though very moldable, offers less protection.
-
Plastic. Plastic
shinguards are the least expensive.
-
Polyurethane. Shinguards
made from this material are heavier and also offer very good protection.
These shinguards would be a good choice for defenders.
Most shinguards
come with Velcro closures or fasteners, though some are designed to be simply
worn inside the soccer sock. Most players prefer the Velcro system to prevent
the shin guard from slipping out of place. Some shinguards come with ankle
protectors for additional protection against Achilles injuries - these types of
shinguards are particularly suited for younger players. Unfortunately ankle
injuries are quite common when playing soccer.
Selecting the
correct size for shinguards is of paramount importance because you want maximum
protection, comfort, and freedom of movement. Shinguards should cover the shin
in its entirety, just below the knee to about an inch above the top of the
soccer shoe. Some merchants label the shinguards according to the player’s
height; so a large would be for soccer players taller than about 5 feet, and a
small for players below 5 feet.
There are many
online vendors that provide high quality shinguards and other protective
soccer gear.
Sometimes deals can be had by searching for discounted items and specials.
|
