I've been playing amateur football for about 15 years and have always worn shin guards. But lately I've noticed that younger guys often play without them, saying they're uncomfortable and slow you down. Maybe it's time to ditch them?
Do you often take blows to the shin or do you just prefer not to risk it? Shin guards aren't a question of fashion - they're a question of safety. Sure, they're a bit uncomfortable and can rub, but a fracture or serious shin contusion is way more than just discomfort from the guards. Young guys play without them because they're young and confident nothing will happen. But one unlucky contact with the ball or an opponent's foot - and everything changes.
After 15 years of playing, you've definitely run into situations where shin guards saved the day. If you're in amateur soccer and there's no real reason to get rid of them, then why would you? This isn't professional sports where every millisecond can be critical. Get yourself better shin guards - there are modern models now that are lighter and more comfortable than the old ones, don't dig in, and don't slip. Try a few different ones, and you'll find something that won't bug you during the game.
Shin guards aren't about fashion, they're insurance, and there's no reason to ditch them. Yeah, young guys often skip them because they haven't taken a proper blow to the shin yet - that kind of pain stays with you for life. If they're chafing you, try wearing them over socks or on a special compression layer - that'll take care of the discomfort and won't affect your speed at all. After 15 years of playing, you've definitely already saved yourself from a couple of fractures, so there's no point changing what works.
Log into answer.
