{"id":31510,"date":"2024-10-09T14:31:19","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T13:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/looking-for-soccer.com\/?p=31510"},"modified":"2026-03-11T14:35:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T13:35:25","slug":"how-to-choose-and-use-child-shin-pads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/looking-for-soccer.com\/en-us\/how-to-choose-and-use-child-shin-pads\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose and use child Shin Pads?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re reading this article, it’s not by chance. You’re the parent of a young soccer player, and concerned about the risks of injuries, you’re wondering about the usefulness of child shin pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will explain why you should equip your child, how to choose soccer shin pads, and how to use them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of shin pads in soccer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soccer is a contact sport, and as you’ve probably noticed, the intensity of the matches is constantly increasing<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the field, there’s more commitment, more duels, and consequently, more frequent injuries<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shins are, of course, the most exposed parts of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The website of the “National Center for Biotechnology Information” (an organization within the U.S. National Library of Medicine) publishes a very interesting study on this subject. It’s titled: “Tibial shaft fractures in football players.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers examined tibia fractures in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They analyzed all tibia fractures in a university hospital over a 5-year period (from 1997 to 2001).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the results: in 9.8% of the cases treated, the injury was related to playing soccer<\/strong>. In this study, the researchers also highlight a decrease in this injury since FIFA made shin guards mandatory (in 1990).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another study on the same site, titled “The Effectiveness of Shin Pads Used by Football Players,” assesses the effectiveness of soccer shin guards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to this survey: “Lower limb fractures represent 30 to 33% of all fractures in soccer<\/em>,” while also specifying that “shin pads absorb impacts and aid in energy dissipation, thus reducing the risk of serious injuries<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, as you’ve understood, you should protect your child’s shins if you want them to continue to thrive in their favorite sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be wondering, “Alright, but how do I choose them?<\/em>” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following lines will serve as your guide for an informed choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to choose suitable soccer shin pads ?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For optimal performance, you must find a balance between protection and comfort, meaning the durability<\/strong>, fit<\/strong>, and weight<\/strong> of the shin pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decision depends on several factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shin pads size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, they should be tailored to your child’s size and the length of their shins. Too small, and the protection won’t be comprehensive<\/strong>. Too large, and they might cause falls. Next, ask yourself these questions: do you want to protect only the shins? Or also the ankle (and the malleolus)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For shins only, simple models with Velcro straps work well<\/strong>. Models with sleeves offer better support. Note that simple child shin guards offer more freedom of movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For shin-ankle protection, choose a model with an integrated ankle guard<\/strong>. This provides optimal protection but may sacrifice some comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a useful reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n