HOW TO KEEP SHIN PADS IN PLACE

Why shin pads slip

Most slipping comes from three things: a pad that's the wrong size for the shin, nothing holding it against the leg, or a pad heavy enough to drag the sock down when you sprint. Fix those and the problem goes away.

1. Wear a shin pad sleeve

A compression sleeve is a thin, stretchy tube that goes on before the pad. Slide the pad in between the sleeve and your leg, or put the sleeve over it, and it can't rotate. It's what most professionals use, and it's the cheapest fix.

2. Tape over the sock

One or two turns of sock tape just below the knee and just above the ankle hold the sock, and the pad under it, firmly in place. Don't pull it tight enough to dig in: snug is enough. Tape works well with a sleeve for wet games.

3. Pick the right sock set-up

A loose, stretched-out sock lets everything move. Many players now cut the foot off their team sock and wear a grip sock underneath, so the team sock stays tight on the shin and the grip sock stops the foot sliding in the boot. Read grip socks vs normal socks.

4. Get the size right

A pad that's too long touches the knee or the ankle bone every stride and gets pushed out of place. It should sit on the front of the shin, clear of both. Our shin pad size guide shows how to measure in two minutes.

5. Use a lighter pad

Heavy moulded plastic pads pull the sock down as you run. A carbon fibre shell weighs less, so there's less to hold up and less to bounce. See carbon fibre vs plastic shin pads.

Kids' shin pads that keep moving

Children's pads slip more because junior socks stretch quickly and kids pull them down at half-time. A sleeve in their size plus a pad that covers the shin properly helps most. See custom shin pads for kids.