A shin guard is a piece of equipment worn by soccer players on their shins to prevent injury and to lessen the severity of injury should it occur. Aside from soccer, players in other sports such as cricket, baseball, and field hockey do wear it voluntarily.
Soccer shin guards come in a variety of styles, but they all have a similar shape. They are usually distinguished by how they are worn or slipped into the feet. Others are strapped to the calf and built into the sock, while some are slipped in and taped.
These vital pieces of equipment are required by players on the field and are relatively inexpensive.
You can also make your shin guards at a low cost. Moreover, because shin guards are required while playing soccer, there’s absolutely nothing wrong if you, as a young soccer player, learn how to make them.
The procedures are quite simple, and the equipment used is quite basic – with some of them consisting of cardboards and grease or strong glue. This article covers everything you need to know about making soccer shin guards, including step-by-step instructions.
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How to make a soccer shin guard?
Although they are inexpensive and easy to find in a nearby store, this pair of tools may be in short supply.
If you have got the right budget to purchase them in bulk, then this might not be a problem for you. If you’re even in need of shin guards and do not have the budget for it, knowing how to make one becomes an advantage.
Others find easier yet alternative means, such as stuffing magazines into socks, when in this situation, but it’s more fun and safe to try to make your shin guards.
The various methods for making soccer shin guards are listed below.
Method 1: Making a soccer shin guard from cardboard and paper
For many, the fact that a soccer shin guard can be made of cardboard paper may come as a surprise. The tools used in its construction are common everyday household items, and the procedures are straightforward.
It also necessitates little technical expertise. You will most likely require a large amount of cardboard. A premium utility knife/box cutter, strong glue, and thin cardboard are also required. You have the option of including or excluding stretch bands.
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Following the preparation of the necessary equipment, the following steps should be taken.
Step 1: Measure your leg
The first step is to measure the cardboard and cut it according to the size of your leg. Make sure to measure two cardboard pieces for each improvised guard.
The length of the intended shin guards should be sufficient to protect the shin; similar to a factory-made guard. Given that it will be curved in some ways around the shin, the width should also be adequate.
Make markings of your measurements to ensure accurate cutting.
Step 2: Cut the cardboard according to the measurements
Using the knife, cut through the markings made on the cardboard.
If you’re uncertain about the width of the cardboard, leave a little gap from the outside of the markings to cut. This is to allow the sides of each measured piece to be bent.
Step 3: Insert additional cardboard
For extra protection, it is critical to place thin cardboard or paper in the center of one of the cardboard. Apply glue to hold it firmly in place to prevent it from falling off when hit.
Step 4: Glue both cardboard pieces together
Here, make use of strong glue to hold fast both pieces of cardboard together. Before bringing both cardboards together, ascertain that the previously glued thin cardboard is still in place at the center.
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This is done so that the middle thin cardboard is sandwiched between the two pieces of cardboard. The glue should be strong enough to withstand pressure.
Step 5: Allow the glue to dry
You should expose the glued pieces to the sun to dry. Ideally, you should let it dry by leaving it in a safe, dry place.
Step 6: Paint them
It is entirely up to you to choose to proceed with this step or not.
Painting them would make them more appealing, but leaving them alone wouldn’t be an entirely bad idea either. This is because soccer socks are worn over shin guards.
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Step 7: Secure the elastic band
This is also an optional step. You have the option of attaching a stretchy band to the shin guard or not. Putting on the shin guard and covering it with a high sock before attaching the band can save you a lot of trouble.
The band secures the guard to your foot, and if the legs have already been shaved, the chances of them being more secure are increased.
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Step 8: Build the next shin guard
Repeat steps 1–7 to make another shin guard for your other leg.
Pros
The most basic method is to make soccer shin guards out of cardboard and paper. It also does not waste time, as the only thing that must be waited for is for the glue to dry.
Cons
Soccer shin guards made using this method are not strong enough to withstand intense impact because they are made of cardboard and paper.
Method 2: Making soccer shin guards out of cardboard and fabric
Soccer shin guards can be made from cardboard and old clothes. It is straightforward, just like the previous method. You would also require the same material with the addition of clothing.
The following steps should be taken after ensuring that the materials are ready.
Step 1: Measure the cardboard
As before, precisely measure two pieces of cardboard to the size of your shin. Given that it will be folded to look like a factory-made shin guard, the width should be adequate.
The length also should be sufficient to cover the shin. You should place the cardboards on the shins and draw lines on them to get accurate measurements.
Step 2: Cut the cardboard as needed
Cut the cardboard along the lines drawn in the previous step with a knife, scissors, or sharp with a protective handle.
As a reminder, leave extra width to allow for easy bending of the makeshift shin guard.
Step 3: Wrap it in a newspaper
Cut the newspapers into pieces and wrap them around the cardboard. Ensure that all areas of the cardboard are completely covered.
Step 4: Allow the glued pieces to dry
If you want to use the shin guard right away, let the glued pieces dry in the sun. It should take a few hours to dry depending on the intensity of the sun.
You can also leave it to dry in a cool environment. This is ideal but it will take a day or two to dry completely. The intended shin guards should be hardened enough to withstand impact.
Step 5: Stick clothes to the cardboards
Now, take the clothes and cut them into two rectangular pieces. The width of the pieces should be twice as wide as the glued cardboard. This allows the cloth to be folded in half without protruding from the back of the glued cardboard.
One of the folded fabric pieces should be placed near the bottom of the cardboard, while the other should be near the top. This is done so the shin guards feel comfortable during gameplay.
Ensure that the cloth pieces are glued or stitched to the cardboard. Allow for drying if glued before proceeding to the next step.
Step 6: Wrap the cardboard in a cloth
Get a sizable amount of clothing material and wrap it around each of the cardboards. Make sure to use a thread and needle to stitch the cloth into the shape of the cardboard.
Your shin guards are almost finished once you’ve stitched the clothes around the cardboards.
Step 7: Color them
Coloring the clothing material would make them more appealing. There’s absolutely no pressure if you choose not to color them.
Notwithstanding, if you do not intend to paint, make sure the cloth you used to cover the cardboard is attractive.
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Step 8: Sew elastic bands onto them
This is also an option. An elastic band should be attached to your shin guards to ensure a proper fit on your leg. Because the clothes were wrapped in cardboard, the shin guards will not be torn when the band is stretched.
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Alternatively, the shin guards can be worn without an elastic band. By leaving it that way, high socks must be worn at all times to keep them attached to the shin.
Pros
With the addition of fabric material, the shin guards are more durable than the previous method. Placing fabrics at the top and bottom of the insides of the shin guards increases comfort on the body’s shin.
Cons
With the composition of the materials used for construction, it is easily susceptible to damage when exposed to moisture.
Method 3: Making soccer shin guards from recycled plastic bottles and thermocol sheets
Soccer shin guards can be made from an old plastic bottle and thermocol sheets. By repurposing old household items, you help declutter your home and can get a customized DIY shin guard.
All of the materials used to make the guards are readily available in the home and can also be purchased. These shin guards are made with a knife/box cutter, an elastic band, thermocol sheets, a matchbox/lighter, strong glue, and an old plastic bottle.
When collecting old bottles, make sure the height is long enough to accommodate your shin. Furthermore, the thermocol sheet must be flat and reliably strong.
The methods for making a pair of soccer shin guards from the materials are listed below.
Step 1: Open up the bottles
Cut off the top of the bottle with the knife to remove the cone-shaped part. Remove the bottom of the bottle using the same cutting equipment.
The bottom section should be cut close to the edge to create a larger upper section. The cut bottle should have the appearance of an open-ended cylinder.
Cut the open cylinder vertically into two parts. You should now have two curved rectangular pieces of plastic.
Step 2: Smooth the edges
Light the matchsticks and smooth the edges of the plastics with them. This is done to ensure that the rough edges are removed to avoid injury to the leg.
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Step 3: Cut the thermocol sheets
Cut the thermocol sheets to the size of the plastics. Its width and length should be the same as those of the plastics.
You should be left with two rectangular pieces of thermocol sheet if you cut them successfully.
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Step 4: Attach the thermocol sheets to the plastics
Bind each thermocol sheet to the insides of each of the plastics with a strong glue. When binding, make sure the sheets are properly aligned so that none of them protrude longer than the plastic to which they are glued.
If they don’t align, cut out the extra part with the knife and from the edges. Allow the two materials to dry after they have been bound together.
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Step 5: Attach the elastic band
Make two convenient cuts on each side of the plastic; one near the top and the other near the bottom, with the knife. In total, the cuts should be four and wide enough to accommodate elastic bands.
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Insert the elastic band through one of the holes and out the other side of the plastic. Bring back into the insides of the shin guard by reinserting it into the opposite cut hole. The elastic band keeps the shin guards in place and prevents them from slipping off.
After completing all of the preceding steps, you should have a pair of handmade soccer shin guards that are ready to use.
Pros
- Shin guards made of plastics and thermocol sheets are long-lasting and resistant to weather.
- They also have a higher impact resistance than other shin guards.
- This method is the quickest of all the methods for making soccer shin guards because there isn’t much drying to be done.
Cons
- With the rough edges that may remain even after smoothing with heat, the plastic can be uncomfortable for soccer players.
- Unless by chance you have one in your home, It can also be difficult to locate an old bottle that fits snugly around your leg.
Conclusion
Making a pair of soccer shin guards for yourself can be necessary for some situations, especially if a factory-made pair is not readily available. Handmade shin guards are typically made of cardboard, but you can also try to make durable ones out of plastic bottles.
The methods described above would result in a reasonably attractive pair of shin guards. You can, however, modify them to your liking to make them more appealing.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!