|
Shinguards must fit properly to ensure sufficient protection and comfort. They should cover most of the area from your ankle to your knee. To make sure they fit properly, measure your shin from just below where the knee bends: two finger widths from the knee and three from the ankle.
Choosing the Right Shinguard
Shinguards are made to either deflect or absorb the impact of a kick, but are still comfortable and do not interfere with your game. Shinguards are made from a variety of materials:
Foam rubber is light and mouldable but offers less protection.
Polyurethane is slightly heavier and less mouldable but offers extreme protection.
Plastic is generally a less-expensive shinguard.
EVA foam or lycra backing is found on the backside of all guards for comfort.
Components
Many shinguards include padded ankle protectors, which attach to the bottom of the guard.
These protect the ankles and Achilles tendon against direct kicks but are soft and flexible enough to not interfere with movement.
Ankle protectors are strongly recommended for players ages 12 and under.
Closures
Most shinguards come with hook-and-loop, Velcro-type straps that wrap around the back of the leg for adjustable closure.
Others have no closures and are designed to be worn inside the sock.
|
