Are kids shin pads for martial arts necessary?
As every parent will agree, safety is paramount in any kids activity. This holds true even more when it comes to your kid participating in any contact sports based activity such as martial arts – from choosing an environment where they are looked after well by their teachers to choosing the right karate uniform or Taekwondo uniform and protective accessories.
As a parent you will think long and hard about each of these factors before taking the plunge and allowing your kid to participate. One type of protective accessory you may be researching are kids shin pads for martial arts. Whether your kid is a seasoned martial arts participant or a complete novice, deciding on the purchase of kids’ shin pads can be puzzling. But have no fear as we have compiled this article to help you through that exact choice!
During the times of the ancient civilisations of the Romans and Greeks, soldiers would wear a metal piece of armour called a greave. A greave would serve to protect the soldier’s legs during battle, helping them to avoid long-term damage. Shin pads were largely inspired by greaves. And just like a greave, they serve to protect one part of your kid’s most vulnerable body parts. A shin pad, when chosen correctly will help to protect the surface area of your kid’s shin and the surrounding region. This area is especially sensitive during contact sparring. With the simple addition of shin pads, your kids will not only avoid bruises and sore shins, they will also be able to develop better techniques as they can practice new skills slowly to get them right, rather than kicking too fast due to the fear of being hurt by an enthusiastic sparring partner.
How to measure for kids shin pads
But this only holds true when your kid is wearing a shin pad that is correctly fitted. To ensure that your kid is wearing a correctly fitted shin pad, you should always measure from the bottom of your kid’s kneecap to just one inch over the top area of their shoe. The shin pad when fitted correctly will feel comfortable and secure. There should be no need to readjust during a training session. This will mean that you have selected an appropriate shin pad size for your kid and therefore help to protect their shin area.
Caring for kids shin pads
To ensure that your kid’s shin pads afford maximum protection, it is also important to take care of them correctly. Whilst it is not necessary to wash your kid’s shin pads after every training session, it is important to make sure that they are aired out after every training session and that they receive a regular wash, once every couple of weeks, depending on the intensity of the training, level of perspiration etc. It is important to follow the care instructions that come with the purchase of the shin pads as this will help maintain their longevity.
Choosing the right style of kids shin pads for martial arts
If you’ve decided to invest in a pair of shin pads, the next step is to decide which type best suits your kids activity. The basic pair of kids shin pads for martial arts are pull-on, made of foam and covered in a stretchy cotton fabric. While basic these are excellent. They are light to wear, soft and comfortable against the skin, quick to get on an off, easy to care for, and best of all economical when you don’t know if your kid is going to train long-term or want to quit in 6 months. These are available as shin pads and as shin and instep pads, covering the delicate bone structure of the instep. The next step up are made of high-density foam that folds around the leg and fastens with velcro straps at the back of the leg. These are equally as comfortable and take strong contact without the wearer being injured.
Whatever style of kids shin pads you decide to buy, do bear in mind that shin pads may or may not be standard to your kid’s specific style of martial arts. It is always a good idea to talk to your kid’s instructor before purchase. We here at Pacific Sports are also always available for any further help or queries.