Not only is it in the best interests of your health to wear shinguards, a referee should ensure that all players are wearing them.

Shinguards are available in a number of different materials and it is best to try on a number of pairs and find which feel most comfortable for you.

You should be looking for a shinguard that will give you good protection but not restrict your movement and be comfortable.

You want to protect as much of the shin area as possible.

A particularly popular type are those which loop around under the foot and are then held in place on the upper calf by a Velcro strap.

These will usually have extra padding around the ankle and Achilles area which is very beneficial.

Ankle protection is particularly important for a striker, while a defender will be best served by a heavier and greater protecting shinguard.

Fibreglass shinguards will give great protection and are lightweight making them a very good choice for youth players.

Plastic shinguards are generally the cheapest and still give good protection.