Shin Guard Regulations

The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford reports that each year that are approximately 3.5 injuries every year sustained by sports participants. A shin guard is worn during competitive sports such as football, soccer, rugby and hockey and helps protect players from sustaining serious leg injuries. The shin guard is always worn on the front of a player's shins and must pass certain manufacturing regulations in order to be deemed safe for use during a game. Remember that shin guard regulations may differ from the sport that is being played. Different sports have different governing bodies that overlook shin guard requirements.

  1. National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment

    • All players that are participating in soccer games are required to wear shin guards. All soccer shin guards are required to meet the standards of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). The NOCSAE is an athletic equipment safety committee that acts as one of the few governing bodies for many soccer leagues. Soccer referees are required to inspect the shin guards of all players and ensure that they have the NOCSAE seal and the player's proper height designation clearly visible to all officials.

    Wearing the Shin Guard

    • The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) requires players to entirely cover their shin guards with their stockings. Not only does this provide more support to a player's shins, but also keeps the shin guards tighter and closer to the body and reduces the chances that it will fall lower down the leg.

    Shin Guard Protection

    • Play It Again Sports recommends sports players to select different shin guards depending on the position that they play. Goalies and defenders should select a shin guard that is made from heavier material and provides more padding. Forward position might benefit from a shin guard that is manufactured out of a more lightweight material. When selecting a shin guard remember that FIFA requires that their player's guards must "provide a reasonable degree of protection."

    Shin Guard Materials

    • Shin guards are required to be made from rubber, plastic or any other suitable material. These materials are able to withstand blows from coming in contact with other players and game equipment. Shin guards that are manufactured from these materials typically tend to be lightweight, which allows players to play comfortably while experiencing a full range of their motions.