Best Youth Shin Guards Of 2024
Brandon Forder Apr 20, 2024 2:52 PM
Soccer shin guards aren't as much of a hindrance as you may assume. Shin guards are an important piece of equipment in soccer, as they shield you from the hard tackles of defenders who are charging at you and the ball. Protect your shins from being kicked in the face while still being able to move freely and enjoy the game by donning a pair of shin guards. Players are on the lookout for products that balance safety and performance, and the industry is working hard to deliver. Some athletes choose to tuck their guards into their sleeves, while others opt to wear them over their regular footwear. Although there are a plethora of shin guards to choose from, finding the right combination of lightweight construction, an anatomically shaped shell, and a snug fitting sleeve can be difficult. For your convenience, we've included a few of the best 2022 soccer shin guards below.
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Types
Slip-in shin guards
These soccer shin guards are the most fundamental kind available and are aimed at more advanced players and professionals who value convenience. Because of their lightweight and flexible construction, these guards provide excellent protection without limiting your movement.
You can wear these soccer shin guards underneath your shin guard sleeves or socks and they are thin shields composed of light, abrasion-resistant material. Wearing shin guard sleeves is recommended to prevent your guards from slipping off your shins during quick movements common on the soccer pitch.
Ankle shin guards
When playing soccer, the ankle is the most likely place to get hurt. Some soccer shin guards have extra padding to protect both sides of the ankle from impact; this is why it is important to have such protection. Protecting your ankles with these guards is a great way to avoid painful muscle spasms. The stirrups on most ankle guards are designed to slide under your feet, and they either include an elastic closure or velcro straps around the calf to ensure a secure fit.
Some brands include a two-in-one design in which the ankle guards are detachable so that you can wear just the shin guards if you choose. Ankle shin guards are a good idea for younger and intermediate players because of the extra protection they provide; once the player is comfortable with the game and has developed their skills, they can remove the guards.
Sleeve shin guards
These soccer shin guards are designed for increased convenience by being stitched into sleeves or socks, as the name suggests. These shin guards are rather flexible and contour to the calf, making them ideal for novice and intermediate players. In doing so, they reduce the likelihood of leg cramps and fatigue by increasing blood flow to the lower leg region via increased compression. The one drawback of this design is that it may not be sturdy enough to withstand powerful kicks and punches in a game of soccer.
Protection
This is the groundwork for selecting a shin guard and should always be the primary focus. They serve a protective function, so pick wisely to ensure that your belongings are safe. All shin guards are not created equal, but they all serve the same purpose: to protect the user's legs from harm.
Now, choosing a shin guard comes down to personal preference, and as was previously noted, some people don't give shin guards much thought at all.
An earlier example I gave was Jack Grealish, who uses protective gear designed for children. It's also not a fluke that he's been fouled more than any other Premier League player this year. As a matter of thumb, though, choose a set that provides enough defense to make YOU feel safe the moment you put them on.
Shin Guards For Adults And Experienced Players
Over the years, I've noticed a trend in my soccer playing experiences. Adults are more likely to purchase shin guards that appear to have little to no safety value the higher the level of play. That being said, I do have some grasp of this idea, and I'll explain why.
The faster the tempo of the game, the higher the level at which a player is playing. Therefore, the best way to protect one's shins is to use shin guards that are small, light, and allow for more range of movement so that the player can run as fast as possible without being hindered by pain or the shin guards' appearance.
Now, I'm not claiming that by buying smaller and lighter guards you will suddenly become Lionel Messi, but I do agree that it will help allow more freedom of movement at speed. You should watch out for the Roy Keane-types in the other team. Yes, I mentioned his name once more.
Shin Guards For Junior And Less Experienced Players
There are now shin guards designed specifically for children, as an alternative to the shin guards designed for adults. You may be wondering, "What's the big deal?" They're essentially the same as shin guards for adults, but, you know, smaller. All right, maybe it's not just the size, but because of the demographic, they naturally have to be more compact.
In any case, I've seen kids wearing adult shin guards before, and they look like they should be wielding cricket bats, too. The safeguards are in place, but they're completely impractical.
Juniors, whose bodies are still developing, need to wear guards that provide a greater amount of robustness to protect them from damage so they may continue to play the game they love without fear of getting hurt.
If you're a young athlete in need of shin guards, take my advise and opt for those with a hard shell on the front, thick cushioned foam on the back for comfort and impact absorption, good coverage of the shin, and possibly even ankle straps.
Ankle straps provide stability and some protection against injuries to the ankle, an often affected area, but I never liked the way they felt and so I often ignored them. The goal is to protect the growth and well-being of young players, so making an informed decision can go a long way.
You should avoid using cricket pads, though. It is useless, it has never been useful, and it never will be. So long as we're on the subject, that's all. I'm sorry I had to add that at the end, but I want to be very clear.
Field Position
Assuming you only ever play in one position, there are some characteristics you may find useful. If you're a defender, for instance, you should wear a shin guard that's thicker and more protective, down to the ankle if necessary. The ideal gear for a midfielder will provide adequate protection while still allowing for plenty of freedom of movement. The best shin guards for a striker are those that are lightweight, compact, and don't restrict movement. Finally, goalkeepers are the players that need the least protection, thus lightweight gear with minimal padding is ideal.
Size
Check the manufacturer's sizing chart for the brand of shin guards you intend to purchase to make sure they will fit you properly. The Adidas sizing chart, for instance, ranges from XS to XL and is height-based. When shopping online, you can find sizing information in the item description. A larger shin guard size will have a longer and wider design to fit a player's increased leg circumference.
Can I play soccer without shin guards?
You can, but it increases the risk of injury to your ankles and knees. Shin guards are required for competitive soccer play and will not be allowed in most games.
How long should my shin guards be?
It may seem like common sense, but shin guards for soccer should actually protect the shins. They need to fall two inches below the kneecap at the very least.
How Big Should My Shin Guards Be?
This depends on the person and the skill level they play at. I think it's prudent to err on the side of caution and make sure they don't go any longer than the knee and rest no more than a few inches above the ankle.
How Do You Keep Shin Guards In Place?
It is important that shin guards fit properly so that the straps or sleeve can keep them in place. External shin guard straps give the wearer more options for securing the shin guard to the leg. They typically come in thicker and contribute significantly to stability.
We've reached the last destination. It's been a harrowing ride. Nonetheless, I'm hoping the data presented here will be useful for making an informed decision while shopping for shin guards.
There is a wide selection available online, but it is important for both performance and injury prevention to know which ones are ideal for your particular sport, age range, and/or skill level. Keep in mind that safety is of paramount importance.
Remember that this is the principle that shin guards are meant to protect against. Don't interact with Roy Keane, either. Please. As I'm sure you can tell, this is crucial.
