Why are Shin Pads so small now-a-days?

ianh · 29 Sep 2012 at 20:36

Bit of a weird one this I know but I remember as a kid mine where the full length of my shin and loads even came with ankle bone protectors yet virtually all modern footballers shin pads are tiny in comparison and only cover about 1/2 to 1/3 of the shin. Is there a genuine reason for this (uncomfortable) or is it "fashionable" to wear small ones (I'm not afraid of being kicked etc etc)?

Quick piccy to give you the idea -

dokko · 29 Sep 2012 at 20:48

Made of titanium and stuff like that compared to the cricket gear we used to wear. I was thinking the exact same thing the other day. Hba literally plays with a betting slip to protect him, and after what happened to him I'd half expect him to come out it chain mail and full dragon bone armour.

One More Solo · 29 Sep 2012 at 20:52

The top level game isn't as rough as it used to be so they can get away with it, but I'd still wear something more protective for Sunday league etc.

JohnnyG · 29 Sep 2012 at 21:03

They've gone back to shoving a copy of Readers Digest down each sock now I think, worked well in the '70s and it was cheap so why not.

Minstadave · 29 Sep 2012 at 21:05

It's a girls game, no need for body armour.

Dabbles · 29 Sep 2012 at 21:12

One More Solo said:
The top level game isn't as rough as it used to be so they can get away with it, but I'd still wear something more protective for Sunday league etc.

This. Players have had red cards rescinded because they were able to 'prove' that any contact happened FFS (it's still a bloody dive!!!). Tackling isn't what it used to be in the top flight.

6thElement · 29 Sep 2012 at 22:04

I still wear my 20+ year old Bryan Robson's

pingwing · 29 Sep 2012 at 22:28

You've pictured Peter Crouch, he has more shin than most people have arm....

ianh · 30 Sep 2012 at 09:35

That is true

DiCe! · 30 Sep 2012 at 13:06

I dont get it, id wear the ones with the ankle protectors etc. all it takes is 1 mistimed challenge, doesnt matter that it is softer than it used to be, people still make mistakes/get injured.

cm1179 · 30 Sep 2012 at 13:15

to reduce cramp?

Mr-White · 30 Sep 2012 at 15:32

I always wore proper shin pads, i'd bet players wouldn't wear them at all if they could.

MW

DB_SamX · 30 Sep 2012 at 15:37

I still wear full length ones that have the ankle supports as well.

Adam_101 · 30 Sep 2012 at 19:49

was thinking this too. Still got my full length ones!

kinetic747 · 30 Sep 2012 at 21:56

I wore the latest full length shin pads about 25 years ago, got into a 50-50 and my tibia snapped clean in half.

I can only assume it would have been worse without the shin pad.