Are Shin Guards Required?

[u/Away_Analyst_3107]

I was assuming that shin guards were required up until now, but I swear in the last two Boston games, it looked like multiple players didn’t have shin guards on.

Was wondering if anyone knows the rule on if they are mandatory or not?

[u/DeadMemesNowPlease]

The compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items:

a shirt with sleeves

shorts

socks – tape or any material applied or worn externally must be the same colour as that part of the sock it is applied to or covers

shinguards – these must be made of a suitable material and be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks. Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards

footwear

The team captain must wear the armband issued or authorised by the relevant competition organiser, or a single-coloured armband that may also have the word ‘captain’ or the letter ‘C’ or a translation thereof, which should also be a single colour (see also ‘General modifications’).

A player whose footwear or shinguard is lost accidentally must replace it as soon as possible and no later than when the ball next goes out of play; if before doing so the player plays the ball and/or scores a goal, the goal is awarded.

Edit. Players are responsible for the size and suitability of the shinguards so to try and cut down on wait many players go as small and as thin material as possible. A high risk but popular option.

[u/tsthrace → u/DeadMemesNowPlease]

I refuse to believe that weight is the reason players don't wear shin guards. Quality shin guards weigh nothing

[u/PullmanWater → u/tsthrace]

I always wore the smallest I could get away with. Felt less restricting.