If you are wondering how to wear soccer shin guards, continue reading this fast and simple guide. One thing that does not make the beautiful game so beautiful are kicks to the shin bone.

That is why knowing how to wear shin guards,or shin pads, is important. To help protect you as best as possible from potential injuries.

Shin guards are one of the most important pieces of soccer equipment, regardless of your playing level or position, and in this blog we will be covering everything you need to about how to wear you shin guards.

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How to Choose the Right Shin Guards

Shin Guard Size:

When it comes to safety and comfort, the size of your shin guards plays a huge role, but the size you wear is going to come down to personal preference. There are suggestions for which shin guards players should wear, but there is no right-size shin guard.

Some players may like the recommendations made by brands that make shin guards while other players may like smaller shin guards, so it feels like they aren’t wearing anything, or bigger shin guards, for more protection.

Whatever size you choose is up to you and your playing style, but make sure you wear shin guards properly by measuring from below your knee to an inch above your ankle, then compare with the manufacturer’s sizing chart to find the perfect fit based on your preferences.

Types of Soccer Shin Guards:

Soccer shin guards come in different shapes and styles and whatever choice you go with is again up to you, but as far as I know most advanced players will wear the traditional slip-in shin guards.

Slip-in Shin Guards

Most shin guards you will see while playing soccer are the traditional slip in shin guards that slide into your socks and can be held together in various ways which I will cover next.

Ankle Shin Guards

Ankle shin guards are exactly what they sound like and they come with extra ankle protection. These are most common among youth soccer players who require more player safety.

Shin Socks

Shin socks are a budget-friendly option. They combine long socks with shin guards into one, making it easier for youth soccer players to put on their shin guards.

Sleeve Shin Guards

Sleeve shin guards are the most convenient shin guards because they are very useful for official matches, but they can also be worn very easily without the need of long socks when playing pick up games or futsal. Image by Pixabay

How to Wear Soccer Shin Guards Correctly

Once you have found the right shin guards for you, it’s time to learn how to wear them correctly. However, it is important to know that not all shin guards are created equally and different types of shin guards will have to be worn differently.

This is a list of the equipment that you will need.

• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Shin Guard Sleeves
• Soccer Grip Socks or other high quality socks
• Soccer Cleats
• Pre cut Soccer Socks

How to wear Slip-in Shin Guards

Slip-in shin guards are the most common types of shin guards and they are the easiest to wear.

• Start by positioning the shin guard between your ankle and your knee.
• Make sure it is not too low or too high.It should be right in the middle, which is where you will find the most comfort.
• If you have shin guard sleeves, straps, pre-wrap, or athletic tape you can use that to keep the shin guards in place.
• Slide on your socks
• Use extra straps pre-wrap, or athletic tape if you have to over the socks

How to wear Slip-in Shin Guards (like professional soccer players)

Oftentimes, you may see professional soccer players cut their socks that use grip socks instead of their team socks, which requires cutting your socks.

• Use scissors to cut the foot part of the soccer sock, right where the foot and ankle meet best, so that you are left with the long part and the foot part
• Put on the grip socks
• Position the shin guard between your ankle and your knee under the grip socks
• Make sure it is not too low or too high. It should be right in the middle, which is where you will find the most comfort.
• If you have shin guard sleeves, straps, pre-wrap, or athletic tape you can use that to keep the shin guards in place.
• Slide on your cut soccer socks, or you can even buy pre-cut socks so that you don’t have to deal with the loose threads of your cut socks.
• Use extra straps, pre-wrap, or athletic tape if you have to over the socks.
• Put your cleats on

How to wear ankle-type Shinguards

Ankle shin guards are very common among youth soccer players.

• Put on the ankle shin guards around your ankle and tighten any straps that come with the shin guard.
• Pull your long socks over your shin guards, or follow the same steps as above if you have grip socks.
• Put your cleats on.
• Use tape or the shinguard’s strap to make sure the shin guard stays in place.

How to wear Shin Socks

To wear shin socks simply slide them on and you are ready to go.

• Use extra straps or sleeves if you have to
• Put your cleats on

How to wear Sleeve Shin Guards

Sleeve shin guards are also really easy to put on.

• Simply slide them on.
• Pull your long socks over your shin guards, or follow the same steps as above if you have grip socks.
• Use extra straps or sleeves if you have to
• Put your cleats on

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How do you hold shin guards in place?

There are three main ways to help add extra support and keep your shin guards more secure if you have to.

• Shin guard sleeves
• athletic tape or pre-wrap to help keep your shin guard in place
• shin guard straps

Frequently Asked Questions

Do soccer shin pads go over or under socks?

Soccer shin pads go under your socks and then you use extra support over it if you have to.

What is the best soccer shin guard to wear?

Although there is no “best” soccer shin guard because it all comes down to preference, most high-level soccer players prefer smaller shin guards that get the job done of providing enough safety, but that do not feel too heavy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to wear shin guards is one of the most important things to know how to correlate when playing soccer, especially in a competitive environment. The right size shin guard is going to come down to personal preference but always make sure they provide enough protection and that they fit properly to help prevent injuries.