PRACTICE 2 - April 1: Shinguards and Drills

Lions, please come to practice. Bring your shoes/cleats, and your shinguards. We'll go through how to wear your shinguards, and why it's important! Please read before pratice:

Put your shinguards on first

Shinguards must be worn inside your shocks. Put your shinguards on first, make sure all the Velcro ends are attached properly. There are shinguards (example below) that are meant to slip into to your socks. If you have this type, put your socks on first and then insert your shinguards.

Socks over shoes (cleats)

Wear your socks over your shinguards 

Wear your socks over your shinguards and make sure they are fully covered. This will prevent your socks from slipping, and prevent severe injuries. Always remember - shinguards first, socks second. For slip on shinguards, socks first and then slip your shinguards in.

Proper way 

When you are done putting your shinguards and shoes on, this is how you look - ready to run. 

Types of Shinguards 

There are special shinguards. Picking shinguards is all about personal preference, but here are tips to get yourself better shinguards.

Common type

These shinguards are effective in protecting not only your shins, but also your ankles and the back of your foot, just above your heel. These areas are prone to be kicked by your opponents, and you may end up with very bad injuries. Soccer injuries among kids and even professional players are very high. 

So shinguards are extremely important. Some soccer players find these shinguards (above pictures) quite uncomfortable and heavy, but many players preferred these shinguards for protection. 

Built-in Shinguards 

This type comes is its own sock. It's convenient. Just put it on, and put your socks over it. There you have it: it is simple. Many professional players use this. 

One-piece 

These shinguards are inside the socks, so you don't have to put them on separately. These built in shinguards are okay, but some may find them a little annoying sometimes. Heavy and may affect your movement. 

Slip-on Shinguards 

The slip-on shinguards are extremely popular with soccer players today. They only protect your shins though, but they are light and easy to put on and are really comfortable. Pick what ever is convenient for you.