Kick off with Confidence: A Guide to Choosing the Best Shin Guards
Wed, May 24.23
Shin guards are the most important piece of equipment a football player will ever buy. Everyone on the field, regardless of skill level, must wear them. But how can you know they're the right fit?
Shin guards, which were originally manufactured from cricket pads, first appeared in football in 1874. They were designed to protect any region of your shin that may cause injury.
Sam Weller, a notable cricketer, and footballer from 1851 to 1927, cut down a pair of cricket shin pads and fastened them to the outside of his socks using leather straps. He didn't have much support from his teammates at first, but shin guards gained popularity as they grew more practical and injury-preventative. Shin guards were first used in football and soon extended to other sports, becoming mandatory in most contact sports. Although players used to make shin guards out of cardboard, they are now engineered to be both comfortable and protective. Modern shin guards are composed of several synthetic materials, each with its own set of characteristics such as weight, strength, comfort, durability, and impact resistance. Shin guards today are constructed with a strong outer casing and a soft interior layer.
The size of your shin guard should be the first consideration. It's critical to get a pair that fits well and is comfortable for you. Tape or another pair of socks used underneath your team's outfit will give a tight fit that inhibits mobility. Second, think about the materials.
Slip-in shin guards are lightweight shin guards that may be worn simply beneath your socks. Even while some socks are snug enough to keep shin guards in place, some athletes choose to utilise tape, strapping, or compression slip-ins instead. To give you more options, many Nike Mercurial shin guards come with a complimentary slip-in sock. The lighter the shin guard, the less noticeable it is.
Ankle shin guards, on the other hand, are frequently recommended for new football players due to the increased protection they provide. This design features additional padding on both sides of the ankles, making it ideal for athletes who are prone to ankle sprains and strains. As players get older and more skilled, numerous manufacturers provide versions with detachable ankle guards that allow them to be worn with just the shin protection.
To improve your game if you play primarily in one position, seek for specialized characteristics in your shin guard:
- Defenders are subjected to a great deal of abuse and heavy tackles; therefore, they may choose to wear shin guards that are heavier and fully protected.
- For their variety in play, midfielders require a combination of protection and flexibility that won't impede their mobility so they may choose to wear small to medium size shin guards.
- Forwards need shin guards that allow for fast changes in direction and bursts of speed, maybe available in the lightest and smallest shin guard choice.
- On the other side, goalkeepers need the least protection, thus in their case, it simply depends on choice.
However, the main dilemma is whether you like large, full-shin protection sized shin guards or the Naby Keita, little shin guards. Sam Weller designed the shin guard for the sole purpose of protection. With safety comes increased confidence and desire to engage in defensive tackles. Finding a shin guard you can rely on will make all the difference in your game. As shin guards remain the only piece of protective equipment in contemporary football, choosing your shield might be the most important decision you make before going into battle.
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