Shin guard

A shin guard or shin pad is a piece of equipment commonly used in ice hockey, roller hockey, football, baseball and other sports where it is deemed necessary. They are used to protect the players' shins from the ball or a hockey stick in roller and field hockey, the puck or a hockey stick in ice hockey, and other players' tackles in football. They are usually secured on using velcro straps. They have been made compulsory for most school, club and professional teams in order to reduce injuries.

The tibia is largely exposed along its anterior medial surface, i.e. it lies directly under the skin and lacks the cushioning afforded to other bones by surrounding muscles. Blows to the shin are therefore more liable to cause injury, even to the point of fracture. Such injuries are also extremely painful, because the periosteum, the thin membrane on the surface of all bones, is a tissue abundant in pain receptors.