Shin guards after serious injury?

[pasoccerdave]

This is likely the wrong forum for this question, but I'm looking to the experience of others for help.

I have a player who is just starting to come back from an extremely serious broken leg. He is starting to run, and touch the ball a couple times per week as his physical therapy progresses.

He is looking for a 'super' shin guard, one that will protect his entire lower leg, both front and back.

Does anyone know if such a thing exists?

Cheers . . .

[ctsoccer13]

Age?

[pasoccerdave]

Age?

17 - High School Senior this coming season.

[loghyr]

Is it a confidence problem or a protection problem?

If it is a confidence problem, then in a low key situation, have them practice either with catcher gear or hockey gear.

With no pressure, they might come to realize how the extra bulk will affect their game.

[pasoccerdave]

Is it a confidence problem or a protection problem?

If it is a confidence problem, then in a low key situation, have them practice either with catcher gear or hockey gear.

With no pressure, they might come to realize how the extra bulk will affect their game.

Right now it's both problems.

The mental aspect is new, as he's just stepped out on the field in the past week after being out since last summer.

The physical aspect is still very real right now.
The injury was a compound fracture that was followed by a significant number of medical problems and surgeries.
This is a very high-level player who would like to be able to go on and play in college.

[loghyr]

I think if it existed, we would have seen it on Michael Owen, Alan Smith, or Djibril Cissé.

[ctsoccer13]

If there is a medical/physical risk then I would imagine the doctors wouldn't want him out there in a situation where it would put him in danger. I agree with loghyr to an extent. While this injury isn't something new to the sport, every injury and its results are different for everybody. While not answering your question, because I don't know of any "super" shinguards, the latest thing to hit High School soccer is the requirement to wear NFHS approved shinguards. It's been put off for this year due to availability and other reasons but they can be found. You may want to look at that. At least you can put your mind to ease that it's a shinguard that's met some certain requirements. A shinguard that protects both the front and back would seem to be very intrusive on a persons mobility and control (at least having it around the back would seem to). But, you could just get a shinguard that only has the velcro attachments (no ankle guard) or an OSI that molds to the form. Wear it backwards and strap it over (or under) his other guard. The socks or a calf sleeve would probably keep it reasonably in place. Just a thought.

[loghyr]

I was also trying to get to the point as well that he isn't match fit yet. He probably isn't even practice fit yet. He is in PT and it sounds like he is being allowed to do non-contact training.

When he gets to being allowed to have contact, the protection problem should not be an issue. It will all be mental at that point. And then you can point at the high-level players who have come back from very bad leg breaks.

What I've done with my son (with some minor soccer/baseball injuries) is let him go overboard at home, i.e., don't embarrass him in front of others. Let him put shinguards on back and front, let him wear knee-pads. And then I let him decide that they are either too much effort or not enough fun.

I've seen something like the Hellstorm Neoprene Knee/Shin Guard (http://www.usmilitarysurplus.com/surpluscatalog/product_info.php?cPath=153&products_id=2603) on some players. Just not as bulky looking as these, which really aren't for soccer. :p

[BigGuy]

This is likely the wrong forum for this question, but I'm looking to the experience of others for help.

I have a player who is just starting to come back from an extremely serious broken leg. He is starting to run, and touch the ball a couple times per week as his physical therapy progresses.

He is looking for a 'super' shin guard, one that will protect his entire lower leg, both front and back.

Does anyone know if such a thing exists?

Cheers . . .

No, I broke my shin/ankle while wearing pretty good 50 dollar shin guards.