Soccer shin guards

[mrslisa]

The kids start soccer tonight. Last night we went and bought them cleats, shin guards and socks. The girl at the sports store said the shin guards go over the socks. Google tells me that the socks go over the shin guards. If I had to guess I would put the shin guards on top since they are so colorful and match their cleats. Which way is correct for 5-8 year olds? 

[cjeanette]

I have seen it both ways. Most kids put them under. My older kid has to because it looks better. The problem is it gets sweaty which is why I think some younger kids put them over.

[Marmee]

In the olden days (when I played) they went under socks because they had no straps. Now they have Velcro. Straps on & we always put over socks. It's so much better, the sweaty shin guards were always so gross growing up...lol.

[brooklyn]

I'm pretty sure I wore my shin guards on top of socks. But stalking my cousin's pics of her girls playing soccer (3 different age levels) they all seem to wear the socks over the shin guards.

[cjeanette]

Jun 30, 2015 10:00:01 GMT -5 Marmee said:

In the olden days (when I played) they went under socks because they had no straps. Now they Velcro on & we always put over socks.

C recently got a pair that have no straps because someone told him they would be more comfortable.  Those suckers move around a lot.  

[brooklyn]

I'd go with whatever way the other kids on the team do it.

[mrslisa]

These have straps on the calves and don't look like they will move. I am hoping on top is the way to go since I bought plain black socks and the shin guards are so cute.

[cherry1111]

I've always seen them under.

[mrslisa]

It is a parent run team and I am pretty sure none of us know what we are doing. On the 7-8 year old team my kids are 1/3 of the team. Maybe we can start the trend lol.

[mslhb]

We have always put them on under the socks.

[Marmee]

Jun 30, 2015 10:01:54 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:00:01 GMT -5 Marmee said:

In the olden days (when I played) they went under socks because they had no straps. Now they Velcro on & we always put over socks.

C recently got a pair that have no straps because someone told him they would be more comfortable.  Those suckers move around a lot.  

I didn't know they even made these still! My kids have the kind that go on like a sock & have ankle padding/protection too. No way those move at all. My oldest soccer player is only 8 but don t think I've ever seen kids wearing loose ones ever.

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2015 10:01:54 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:00:01 GMT -5 Marmee said:

In the olden days (when I played) they went under socks because they had no straps. Now they Velcro on & we always put over socks.

C recently got a pair that have no straps because someone told him they would be more comfortable.  Those suckers move around a lot.  

Yes they are definitely more comfortable. You can get sleeves for them or just put some athletic tap on the bottom. Also, sock selection is key. Get decent socks that hold them in place. 

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2015 10:06:01 GMT -5 Marmee said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:01:54 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

C recently got a pair that have no straps because someone told him they would be more comfortable.  Those suckers move around a lot.  

I didn't know they even made these still! My kids have the kind that go on like a sock & have ankle padding/protection too. No way those move at all. My oldest soccer player is only 8 but don t think I've ever seen kids wearing loose ones ever.

The ones with no straps are what everyone wears. Look at the World Cup

I think I started wearing those around age 11 right after I started playing and have done so ever since. 

OP, it doesn't really matter. I've only worn shin guards under socks so that's what I'd do with my kid as that is the norm for me, but if you want to do it the other way, it's not going to hurt anything. 

[jeaniebueller]

Shin guards go over the socks and then you fold the socks down over the shin guards.

[mrslisa]

I think I will put them on the outside tonight and see if the kids like it.  I wonder why they make them so colorful if they are supposed to be hidden?

[curbsideprophet]

I always wore my socks over my shin guards.

[Marmee]

Jun 30, 2015 10:20:14 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Shin guards go over the socks and then you fold the socks down over the shin guards.

I like this...looks normal but avoids the gross shin guard to skin contact...lol.

[cjeanette]

Jun 30, 2015 10:08:28 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:01:54 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

C recently got a pair that have no straps because someone told him they would be more comfortable.  Those suckers move around a lot.  

Yes they are definitely more comfortable. You can get sleeves for them or just put some athletic tap on the bottom. Also, sock selection is key. Get decent socks that hold them in place. 

Tape might be good.  We don't get to choose the socks, we have to go with the socks the club tells us to order.  They seem decent though.  They are Nike?

[cjeanette]

Jun 30, 2015 10:22:23 GMT -5 mrslisa said:

I think I will put them on the outside tonight and see if the kids like it.  I wonder why they make them so colorful if they are supposed to be hidden?

That will be cute with the shoes!

I say go for it.  There is nothing worse than pulling a stick shin guard of your kids sweaty leg.

[curbsideprophet]

Jun 30, 2015 10:22:33 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:10:35 GMT -5 @wandering said:

The ones with no straps are what everyone wears. Look at the World Cup

I think I started wearing those around age 11 right after I started playing and have done so ever since. 

OP, it doesn't really matter. I've only worn shin guards under socks so that's what I'd do with my kid as that is the norm for me, but if you want to do it the other way, it's not going to hurt anything. 

How can you tell - they all wear them under socks.

I'm an old, so I say under socks.  Screw new technology.

They often take them off at the end of the game. I agree it seems like most do not have any straps.

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2015 10:22:33 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:10:35 GMT -5 @wandering said:

The ones with no straps are what everyone wears. Look at the World Cup

I think I started wearing those around age 11 right after I started playing and have done so ever since. 

OP, it doesn't really matter. I've only worn shin guards under socks so that's what I'd do with my kid as that is the norm for me, but if you want to do it the other way, it's not going to hurt anything. 

How can you tell - they all wear them under socks.

I'm an old, so I say under socks.  Screw new technology.

Because you can tell there is no ankle padding and they just slip their shin guards in right before the match starts.

I've played soccer as an adult in many different places and been around professionals and I can say that I've maybe seen 1 adult wearing the ones with straps. 

I don't really mind shin guards, but some people act like they are the worse thing ever and wear the smallest ones humanly possible...the more professional you are, the smaller your shin guards  

ETA: Also, in order to get your ankles tapped by a trainer, you definitely can't have the shin guards with the straps and pads. No one on my college team had the ones with straps. It's just kind of known that adults don't do straps. 

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2015 10:29:31 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Jun 30, 2015 10:08:28 GMT -5 @wandering said:

Yes they are definitely more comfortable. You can get sleeves for them or just put some athletic tap on the bottom. Also, sock selection is key. Get decent socks that hold them in place. 

Tape might be good.  We don't get to choose the socks, we have to go with the socks the club tells us to order.  They seem decent though.  They are Nike?

Ahh ok got it. I was thinking of those tube sock looking ones that slowly start to fall down. 

Yep, just keep a roll of athletic tape in the bag and you'll be good to go. 

[mrslisa]

They only had a few brands of shin guards for little kids and all of them had straps. There weren't any plain or strap free ones.

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2015 10:36:04 GMT -5 mrslisa said:

They only had a few brands of shin guards for little kids and all of them had straps. There weren't any plain or strap free ones.

Sorry to disrail the thread. I was just talking about adult shin guards. I started wearing the ones without straps around 11 or so. I was adult sized by then.

[tigress]

Always underneath the socks. Always. I've never seen otherwise. I played soccer from age 6-18. DD1 played last fall and this spring. Underneath the sock.

[arch01]

Under.

[cherry1111]

we bought my 2.5 year old shin guards and socks in one. They were easy and good for his age. I don't know if they are recommended for bigger kids/adults.

m.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/shin-shock-iii-youth-soccer-socks/pid-250300/pgid-10316406

[frlcb]

My son is a soccer player, and all the kids wear the shin guards under the socks, always. We also buy the socks with the shin guards built in for practice (from target). I have never seen anyone fold their socks over their shin guards.

[6fsn]

I've only seen them under the socks. We get black socks from the league as part of the uniforms.

[mrslisa]

Soooo if I put them under can I wash them? It is 100+ degrees here and three smelly kids will make me lose my mind!