Players choose small shin pads for comfort and flexibility in football
BBC Football • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 13, 2026, 12:04 PM
Last updated Oct 13, 2026
Liverpool's Lewis Koumas wore small shin pads on his Premier League debut against Manchester City, highlighting a trend among players opting for reduced sizes. The International Football Association Board allows players to choose their shin pad size, emphasizing individual responsibility for safety. While some professionals favor small pads for comfort, grassroots teams are banning them due to injury risks, particularly after incidents involving youth players. Clubs and medical staff are encouraged to consider safety when making these choices.
- •Lewis Koumas debuted in the Premier League with small shin pads.
- •IFAB allows players to choose shin pad sizes for personal comfort.
- •Grassroots teams are banning small shin pads after injury concerns.
- •A youth player suffered a serious leg injury linked to small shin pads.
- •Player safety decisions involve club and medical staff consultations.
- 12:04 PMBBC Football — Why are some football shin pads so small?
"Our Ask Me Anything team explore why some football shin pads are so small, and what the laws are around wearing them.
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