How to choose football shin pads? You need to move on to solving this issue immediately after you start playing regularly.
Any coach will tell you that amateurs injure both opponents and themselves during training much more often than professionals, and every injury, no matter how minor, means missing games.
What types of leg protection are there and how to choose shin guards for football? Let's figure it out together.
How to choose football shin guards according to the level of protection?
The rules do not regulate the type of shield design in any way. The main thing is that they exist in principle.
There are two types of shin guards based on size relative to leg length:
- with ankle and Achilles tendon protection;
- lightweight.
As the player gains experience, he decides how much protection he needs. The concepts of “large” and “small” shield are very relative, but most often a shield that covers three quarters of the lower leg is considered large, and a small shield is considered to cover less than 75% of the leg below the knee.
It would be more correct to talk about large and small shields in relation to a specific brand, because each manufacturer independently determines for itself what “large”, “medium” and “small” means.
Which material to choose?
When choosing a material, you often have to maintain a certain balance between strength and lightness:
- fiberglass - very rigid, but light and durable;
- polyurethane - durable and reliable, but heavy;
- microporous rubber - light, flexible, elastic, but not too durable;
- plastic is light and inexpensive, but unreliable.
How to choose shields by size?
To choose the size of the shin guard, measure your leg from the beginning of your foot to the middle of your kneecap. By multiplying the resulting number by 0.75, you will get the shield length that suits you.
Another parameter that you can focus on is your height. The correspondence between the sizes of the scutes and the height is indicated in the table.
Height, cm | XS | S | M | L | XL |
Shield size | 140-150 | 150-160 | 160-170 | 170-180 | 180-800 |
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“The optimal age to start playing in the football section is 6-7 years old,” says Alexander. “But before that, it would be a good idea to send your child to gymnastics or acrobatics at the age of four for the proper development of coordination of movements. After this, it will be easier for the child to develop technical techniques with the ball. Since football is a contact game, sometimes traumatic, it is worth paying special attention to what your child plays with. A lot depends on the right equipment.
Shoes are perhaps the most important attribute of a football player. But this does not mean that for your child’s first training or game you need to buy the most expensive and sophisticated boots. At the initial stage this is not necessary. Comfortable sneakers (not rag ones!) with foam soles are quite enough. The main thing here is to soften the contact of the foot with the lawn or parquet, if we are talking about training in the gym, and to minimize the possibility of injuries and sprains.
If your child gets involved in the game and has developed initial technical skills, buy boots. Choose them depending on where he will play and train. Unfortunately, most fields are far from ideal. Most often they are trampled and hard. The so-called “centipedes” are suitable here. (For example, - author's note.) These are spikes that will cut perfectly into a hard surface without slipping. The multi-directional nature of the studs also provides good grip on the surface. If you are lucky and your child plays on a high-quality, soft field, then in this case you can choose absolutely any boots to suit your taste. To play indoors, you need flat-soled models with a clear tread pattern. (Suitable with a synthetic leather upper, a shock-absorbing insert in the sole and a non-slip rubber outsole - author's note).
When choosing shoes, do not chase beauty and intricate design; put convenience at the forefront. The boots must be immediately measured against the leggings in which the child will play. Shoes should not squeeze the foot too much or put pressure. It is important to keep the blood circulating. But the boot shouldn’t dangle on your foot; don’t take it “to grow.” Also select the material individually. It is not necessary to buy a model made of genuine leather. There are many high-quality synthetic leatherettes. (Like, for example - author's note)
It's good if the lacing is slightly off-center. This creates a larger working surface of the boot when in contact with the ball and provides better control over the projectile. Make sure that the boots have special holes for ventilation. Feet in gaiters and leather shoes sweat a lot during active play, and moisture removal is extremely necessary.
Protection
As mentioned above, football is a contact sport. Tackles, falls, blows to the legs. It goes to everyone and in every match. To protect your child from injury, be sure to purchase protection. And if there is no need for knee pads and elbow pads, then playing without pads is strictly contraindicated.
Shields are selected in the same way as boots, individually. They should have an anatomical shape and fit perfectly on the leg, protecting the tibia from impacts (some models also protect the ankle) and distributing the load over the entire surface. However, the shin guards should not hinder the child’s movements. Weight is another important indicator. Leading manufacturers actively use special synthetic, high-strength, but at the same time very light materials. (The Nike company uses polypropylene, polyester, elastane and nylon in the model - author's note). The protection should not hang like heavy shackles on the child’s legs.
Form
Today there is an incredible amount on the market, for every taste and color. In pursuit of buyers, sports companies are even trying to “introduce” high technology into T-shirts. Someone creates special materials that instantly remove excess moisture (the NikeDriFIT system), makes mesh inserts on the front and back for better breathability, and trims the collar with braid to prevent chafing on the neck. This is all, of course, very cool, but for me, a simple cotton T-shirt for a child’s training will be quite enough. And it’s better if there are two of them: we put on a “tight-fitting” T-shirt under a loose T-shirt. Then neither the wind nor prickly heat is scary.
In the case of shorts, you need dense, durable synthetics. Personally, I like Nike models that go below the knee, they even look somewhat like basketball shorts (the model also has DriFIT technology - author's note). In such conditions, abrasions to the knees are not scary. And their fit is comfortable, free, and does not restrict movement.
Pants are useful for cool weather. They, unlike shorts, should be tapered and fit snugly to the legs, but at the same time have good stretch. Pay attention to the seams. They should be smoothed to avoid chafing. A Bolognese windbreaker is suitable as outerwear, protecting against wind and rain.
Buy gaiters above the knee so that they completely cover the guards. Choose models made from synthetic materials with the addition of cotton (made from nylon, cotton, polyester, elastodiene and spandex - author's note). Feet in such gaiters will sweat less, while the calf muscles will be tightly wrapped.
At 4-5 years old, a child does not need a full-size ball. He simply cannot cope with such a projectile. They usually start with a “C”. From 6 years old to 11 years old they play with a “four”. And only then they switch to full-size models. It happens that even at twelve it is more convenient for a child to play with a smaller ball, and there is nothing wrong with that. All
Children have different anthropometry. Don’t rush things, the child will definitely get to the big projectile, everything has its time. And choosing the wrong ball size can lead to injury.
When I started playing football, foreign balls had just begun to appear on the market, and in some places they were still playing with Soviet-made equipment. Now in stores there is an incredible number of balls, it’s enough to make your eyes wide open. Give preference to a model with low weight (for example, DemixDF450) and a durable synthetic leather (polyurethane) tire.
Backpack
All of the above equipment is best carried in a backpack rather than a bag. Then the weight will be evenly distributed on the child’s shoulders without putting pressure on the spine. Choose models with wide, anatomical straps and several compartments (For example, - author's note)
Instead of an afterword
In children's football, the child's psychological state is much more important than whether he is equipped with a uniform and boots. And not only the coach, but also the parents should work on this. Dear moms and dads, think of football as a game! Be patient, encourage your children, praise them. Do not scold under any circumstances if something does not work out, otherwise you will discourage the child from playing.
When preparing for a match, special attention should be paid to equipment. Every hockey player knows how to put on a hockey uniform and how to select its elements.
The player’s mobility and his success on the ice directly depend on how carefully each detail is buttoned or laced, as well as on the order in which the hockey uniform is put on. Keep it clean and wash it when it gets dirty, following the washing rules for the appropriate fabric. After training, dry and ventilate in the fresh air, try not to expose it to direct sunlight. With proper care, the uniform will last a long time and retain its presentable appearance. Wash thermal underwear, leggings and hockey sweaters after each workout.
How to wear a hockey uniform correctly
Prepare for training at home - your uniform should be clean and dry. Fold things in the order in which you will put them on later, that is, the last element should be on the bottom, the first on top. Carry skates in special cases, otherwise the blades may damage their shape. To carry, use a spacious sports bag or backpack.
You need to understand that all elements of hockey equipment are equally important, and if you forget even one at home, you simply will not be allowed on the ice. It’s good if at first there is someone to help, this is especially important for kids who still find it difficult to cope even with ordinary clothes. First, undress down to your panties, and then start dressing, slowly and carefully.
Put on your hockey uniform in the following order:
- Underwear – special knitted overalls or thermal underwear.
- Warm woolen, terry or sports socks.
- Shin guards - protection for the left and right shins is different, do not confuse them.
- Hockey socks, gaiters or leggings.
- Protective groin shell.
- Hockey shorts.
- Skates – this element can be put on last, but at this stage it will be more convenient to lace up.
- Neck protection.
- Knee pads – left and right.
- Elbow pads - for each elbow.
- Bib (hockey shell).
- Suspenders for hockey shorts - these are worn over the shell.
- Hockey sweater.
- Grips are hockey gloves.
After this, ask one of your colleagues to check your equipment and evaluate your appearance. A look from the outside will help eliminate minor imperfections and allow you to look flawless. Treat your uniform with care and respect - you have been awarded the honorable right to wear the colors of your team and defend them in sports battles.
Hockey is not only a spectacular and exciting sport, but also quite dangerous to health. Hockey pads are a must-have for any player: they protect almost the entire body from impacts and falls. Choosing the right model and size is not difficult if you pay attention to some nuances.
It’s not for nothing that hockey is considered quite traumatic: in addition to special equipment and equipment, the player will need complete protection of the entire body, especially the joints. Hockey shin guards are required to be worn on ice, otherwise any fall can cause injury.
What is included
The term “hockey pads” includes:
- Breastplate (carapace or shoulder pad): consists of front and back protectors and shoulder pads. Some models are complemented by side pads on the stomach and lower back;
- Elbow pad: consists of an elbow cap and rigid arm cuffs. The upper one protects the lower part of the shoulder and has a movable connection with the ulna cup, the lower one protects the forearm and has a rigid connection. The latter can be short or elongated;
- Knee pad: also consists of a knee cup and shin guard. In addition to the knee pad, pads and straps are included to secure them. Some shin guards also come with removable side protectors designed to protect the ankle.
Attention! You can choose shin guards of any color, since they are worn with fabric equipment (shorts, sweater, leggings) in the team color.
What to pay attention to first
The main task of hockey pads is to protect the player from any surprise: falling on the ice, being hit by a stick or being hit by a puck, even from a skate blade. At the same time, the shields should not interfere with movement, otherwise it will be uncomfortable and difficult to play. When purchasing, it is important to try on and walk around in the shields for a while to understand how comfortable they are. If you have the slightest doubt, it is better to choose another model.
It is also important to define your role in the team:
- Defender: For this role, wide guards are usually chosen that completely cover the leg and protect it. They also help to reflect impacts due to their large surface area;
- Forward: narrow guard models are suitable for them, which do not interfere with movement and gaining speed;
- Goalkeeper: They require pads similar to the pads of defenders, but even wider. They also need to be strong enough, since the goalkeeper often takes a strong blow.
Many hockey players also advise deciding in advance whether the game will be professional or amateur - in the latter case, you can choose cheaper pads. This opinion is controversial, since cheap equipment wears out faster; on the other hand, if a player plans to play leisurely with friends once a week or is not sure that hockey is his sport, professional models will be an extra expense. Otherwise, you should buy expensive equipment.
How to choose correctly
To choose the right shields, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
- First of all, it is important to determine your role in the team: forward, defender or goalkeeper;
- It is equally important to correctly determine the size, especially for knee pads. To do this, you can use special tables that take into account height, weight, age and shin length (from the knee to the top of the skates), but it is best to try on the shin guards in person;
Attention! Dimensions may differ from different manufacturers - it is better to focus on the specified parameters.
There is no need to skimp on equipment for children. During training they will often fall or bump into each other and will need good protection.
Hockey pads are an important part of the equipment of a player of any profile or type (professional or amateur). Due to the increased trauma of this sport, the correct choice of protection is extremely important. Before purchasing, you should watch video reviews of different models - this will help you get the right idea about the product.
How to choose a hockey uniform: video
Children's hockey will bring a child a lot of positive emotions, but parents and coaches will have to spend a lot of effort on raising a future athlete. Usually, a child is sent to a hockey team at the tender age of 5-6 years. At this age, the child is completely dependent on his parents; he cannot dress and undress himself and his parents must constantly accompany him. Training 3 times a week. Think for yourself.
Most often, the team has its own locker room, then you are spared the hassle of carrying a bag and stick with you all the time. If there is no such locker room, it will bring some inconvenience to parents. All items of a hockey player's equipment are very important. Without some detail, a young hockey player simply will not be allowed on the ice. It is necessary to know the order of putting on all equipment and it is better to immediately teach a young hockey player to dress in the correct order. Because one day the child will start dressing himself and he must understand how to do it correctly and quickly.
Hockey player's equipment:
Helmet. The main requirements for a helmet are lightness and ease of attachment. It is forbidden to appear on the ice with an unfastened helmet. Most often, the helmet is made of good quality plastic. On its inner side there must be a special gasket that softens the force of the impact. All juniors (under 18 years of age) are required to play in helmets with a metal lattice visor; after 18, such a visor can be replaced with a transparent plastic visor or dispensed with altogether.
Bib. Provides protection to the chest and entire back, especially the spine. In addition to the front and rear protectors, its design includes shoulder pads with special pads. All bibs differ in lightness, level of protection and design. The main requirement for a bib is a very high degree of protection while maintaining maximum mobility. It is for this reason that the bib should be lightweight. A light breastplate is most often used by attackers, but for a defender, the technology for making a breastplate is completely different. The defender's breastplate is heavier and more durable, and this comes from the functions assigned to it.
Elbow pads may consist of several parts. The main part is a hinge with a special cup for the elbow. The inner padding of this cup is possible, which will provide maximum protection for the elbow joint. Any elbow pad should fit comfortably on the arm, be well secured, and also bend and unbend freely, repeating the movements of the arm.
Gloves a hockey player should be comfortable and lightweight. The fingers in them should bend and unbend easily, which is why many manufacturers make them two-part. The gloves are equipped with adjustable length cuffs, so they can be adjusted to any equipment. To ensure that gloves fit properly on the hand, many hockey equipment manufacturers make them with a thermoforming wrist. The outer surface of the edge can be textile or polyurethane. The second glove surface option lasts much longer. The inner surface of the gloves is made of genuine leather; this is a replaceable part of the gloves.
Shields provide complete protection of the shin and knee and avoid joint injury. When choosing pads, you should be guided by the load they will be subject to - in what capacity the hockey player plays: a defender or an attacker. All shields must be hinged; knee cups provide increased protection. To soften the impact force, they use special materials. High-end models provide enhanced calf protection and additional protection for the popliteal fossa.
Underpants provide protection for the hips, waist and tailbone, or rather, plastic shields that protect these parts of the body. The material used to make hockey pants is wear-resistant, specially treated nylon. A hockey player’s equipment also includes additional protective equipment: a neck protector, a shell (to protect the groin area), suspenders for panties (hockey ones, of course), a belt for shin protectors.
Goalkeeper equipment:
Goalie skates heavy and bulky, have a flat, thick blade and durable padding. A flat blade on skates is necessary for the goalkeeper in order to make lateral movements when protecting the goal during the game. As a rule, the blades on goalie skates need to be sharpened every 10-12 trips to the ice, but it can be different depending on the style of play. It takes time for a player to learn how to skate on goalie skates; it is very difficult to switch to them from another type of skate.
Goalkeeper pads They are also large in size and heavy. They make the goalkeeper skate crookedly. To choose them correctly, you need to know that the player’s knee should be in the middle of the knee pad.
There are three different types of shields for each style:
1. “butterfly” (have a greater height above the knee),
2. “profiled” (with a wedge-shaped seam with a “hard roller” along the outer edge)
3. traditional.
It is recommended that beginner goalkeepers choose traditional pads, since they have not yet developed their own style. The way you wear the shields also depends on the style. Butterfly pads must be placed flat on the ice as the goalie moves down into the butterfly position. The flaps do not need to be pulled to allow them to move and rotate. Pro-fly style shin guards need to be pulled towards the feet and calves and then tightened at the knee area. Traditional face shields should be worn comfortably. There are two ways to attach the guard to the toe of the skate: laces and straps. The laces are laced around the front blade of the skate and tied at the top of the boot. The straps are only threaded around the front blade of the skate. The choice depends primarily on personal preference.
Goalkeeper `s gloves have greater protection than all other species.
Trap- A giant first main glove with a cuff for blocking punches. The trap must be adjusted in several places: tape on the fingers, thumb and wrist. The tape should be checked periodically to ensure it is tightened correctly. The glove must be dried and ventilated after each use.
Crap– a simple leather glove with a large piece of high-density foam and a plastic hand guard.
Chest and arm protection– single design with plastic and high-density foam. Goalies use their bodies to hold pucks, so chest and arm protection is a very important part of a goalie's equipment.
Goalkeeper mask different from the regular player mask. It helps reflect the puck and dissipate the impact, so the goalie's mask must reliably protect his face.
Neck protection The goalie guard is designed to work with a goalie mask and provides additional protection around the throat.
Goalkeeper shorts differ from players' shorts in that they are designed to protect the inner thigh and help stop shots.
Shields Thigh protectors are used to protect the knee and thigh of goalie pads. They protect the area directly above the knee when the goalkeeper kneels.
Goalkeeper shell differs from a fielder's shell with additional protection.
The procedure for putting on equipment:
1. Wear underwear (hockey jersey overalls or turtleneck with leggings)2. Socks (thick, sports, or at least terry).
3. There may be options here. Some immediately put on the shell, but many prefer to put it on leggings, so others wear shin guards (shields for the right and left legs are different).
4. Gaiters.
5. Sink (if you haven’t put it on before)
6. Shorts (if you have suspenders, do not put them on your shoulders)
7. Skates.
Until the child’s ankle muscles have become stronger, we tie the skates in the following way: raise the gaiters to the knee, unfasten the lower fastener on the shin guard, place the tongue of the boot under the shield, tie the shoes (do not thread the laces into the upper holes), then fasten the shield (or you can not fasten it ) and lower the trouser leg.
8. Neck protection.
9. Elbow pads (right and left are different).
10. Chest and shoulder protection, in theory it should be under shorts, and suspenders should be put on it (if any).
11. Sweater.
12. Helmet.
13. Gloves.
The athlete is ready.
Like moms really do. Dads do not carry lifting bags - equipment for the future hockey player; more advanced parents carry bags on wheels. As beginners, we fit everything into our backpack.
With us everything is simple, the MAIN thing is observed - safety precautions! helmet from impact from skates, chair, side. Leggings - God forbid someone hurts them if they cut their toes with skates ttt. elbow pads 1 piece, we can’t find the 2nd one), knee pads 2 pieces, so it wouldn’t hurt so much to fall)
About motivation (advice from a psychologist)
There are many more people who have ever started playing sports than those who have made a career as an athlete. Obviously, sports activity is quite difficult, and not everyone can master it at a high level.
Motivation– a set of various motivations for a certain activity that generate, stimulate and regulate this activity.
The main motives for young athletes (under 12 years old) to engage in sports:
Having fun;
Improvement of skill;
Doing what I'm good at (strong);
A pleasant feeling of excitement caused by competitive activity;
Desire to acquire new skills and abilities;
Opportunity to compete;
Desire to perform at a higher level;
Making new friends.
Sport creates a very wide range of opportunities for human development. However, which of these opportunities, how and to what extent will be used in each specific sports career depends on the totality of factors in the athlete’s development. In the most general form, we can highlight the following features of the manifestation of the general laws of human development in sports:
1. Acceleration(acceleration) development, is caused by the development of a sports career during periods of the most intense growth and maturation of a person. This feature has been documented in numerous studies that compare the development of athletes and those who do not engage in sports.
2. Plasticity manifests itself in the development of mental functions, processes, properties and qualities that ensure adaptation to the requirements of the chosen sport and sports role.
3. Despite the specialization of development, everything that is formed in sports, under certain conditions, can be rescheduled to other areas and types of activities.
4. A sports career influences not only the development of individual functions, processes, properties, accelerating or slowing it down or giving it one or another character, but also the interrelationships of these formations in the relevant structures (intelligence, emotional-volitional sphere, personality, etc. .). A sports career determines the formation of the integrity of development in the sense of the interrelations and mutual influences of its various aspects - physical, psychomotor, intellectual, spiritual, etc. The developmental potential of sports activity depends to a great extent on the methods of educating and training the athlete.
If we consider the influence of a sports career on the main lines of human development, it can be noted that sport makes adjustments to ontogenesis (physical development and the formation of the type of nervous system) and, to a greater or lesser extent, determines the life path of an individual.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
Code of honor for parents
I will not force my child to play hockey
I will remember that my child plays hockey for his own pleasure, not for my sake.
I will help my child play by the rules and resolve conflict situations without fighting or violence.
I will teach my child that more important than winning is his desire to play his best, so my child will never feel defeated at the end of the game.
I will make sure that my child always feels like a winner, encouraging him for dedication and fair fight in the game.
I will not make a laughing stock of my child or verbally abuse him for making mistakes or losing a game.
I will remember that a child learns best by example. I will encourage good play and performance from my child's team and their opponents.
I will never publicly question the actions of judges or their integrity.
I will support all efforts to eliminate verbal and physical abuse in youth hockey.
I will treat community coaches who spend their time training my child with respect and understanding.
(C) Varangians
Equipment of a real hockey player I found a site where you can order uniforms not only for hockey players http://fastran.ucoz.ru/, I think it will be interesting to all parents. Maybe we can team up with someone and order, everyone will pay less for the parcel))