Sports are fun to play—that is, until you get injured. Before entering a sport, we are well aware of the risks of playing it. That’s why it’s important to invest in the right gear to protect us from injury.
If you play soccer, you might find your shins susceptible to injury. To prevent this, it is essential to wear soccer shin guards that fit you. And one way to ensure that your shin guard can do its job correctly is to know how to wear it properly.
What Are Shin Guards?
From the name alone, you probably already have an idea of the shin guard’s purpose. A shin guard is typically made of plastic sculpted to fit the curve of the lower leg.
Typically, soccer shin guards will have two parts: a front plate and a backing portion. Think of the front plate as a shield. It is made from a polypropylene shell or hard plastic, which can withstand the force of impact.
On the other hand, the backing cushions the blow by absorbing some of the contact. It also helps you feel more comfortable while wearing the shin guard, as it can prevent the front plate from creating friction on your skin.
Sometimes, shin guards will have closures that keep them securely attached to your leg. However, some soccer shin guards are designed to fit the inside of soccer leggings, thus the absence of closures.
Why Are Shin Guards Important?
One of the most common injuries you can get when playing soccer are shin splints. Shin splints can happen when the shins experience repeated impact on rough surfaces. They can cause inflammation within the tibia’s outer lining, which can be pretty painful. Some symptoms include tenderness, numbness and pain.
The lack of shin guards while playing contact sports can also result in shin bruising. Not only is shin bruising painful, but it can also cause swelling, joint inflammation, skin discolouration, joint stiffness and tenderness. In some types of shin bruising, bleeding can also happen.
How to Wear Your Shin Guards With Socks
To prevent injuries in your shins, it’s crucial to wear your soccer shin guards properly. Make sure you wear your shin guards under your socks so they can be tucked in securely.
Get the Right Shin Guards
To avoid discomfort and prevent your shin guards from moving around, you must get the right fit of soccer shin guards. If you get ones that are too big, they will likely slide down as you play. On the other hand, if you get shin guards that are too small, they could squeeze and restrict your legs. Get the right fit of soccer shin guards to get maximum protection for your shins.
Additionally, you should also consider the style of shin guards. For soccer players, slip-in shin guards are preferred as they are more lightweight and allow for more movement.
Wear the Right Socks
If you’re opting for slip-in soccer shin guards, it’s best to pair them with the right socks. Go for full-length compression socks to ensure your shin guards are secured into place. Quality compression socks also give you an added layer of protection and enhance your circulation.
Secure the Shin Guards
As a rule of thumb, never go into the field when your soccer shin guards aren’t secured. You’ll be doing a lot of running, so without properly securing them, they could slip down and get in your way. Plus, they won’t be able to protect your shins as intended if they’re not securely attached to your lower legs.
If you have shin guards with straps, make sure the closures are secure. But if you have slip-in shin guards, you can try wrapping shin guard tape around your legs to secure them into place.
Final Thoughts
Soccer shin guards are there to protect your shins from injuries. But they can only do so when you wear them correctly. Make sure to get the right fit and secure them into place before heading out into the field.
Protect your shins with the best soccer shin guards from Grassroots Sports Group. We aim to provide professional quality products to grassroots players across Australia and New Zealand. Browse through our collections now!
