Question Number: 31101

Law 4 - The Players Equipment 12/9/2016

RE: College

Pierre clavel of Ithaca, NY Usa asks...

In the college cup semifinal between wake and Denver, the keeper for Denver wore no shin guards. A center mid for Denver, #17 also wore no shin guards. Is this equipment not required in NCAA?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Pierre,
Yes, shinguards are indeed required in NCAA games.

NCAA Rule 4.1.2 states (in part) as follows:

''Players shall wear shinguards under the stockings in the manner intended, without exception.
[...]
PENALTY—Any player not conforming to Rules 4.1 through 4.5 shall not be permitted to play.''

I think that's fairly self-explanatory.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pierre
Shin guards are required in all codes so the players should be wearing shin pads. Now some codes such as NFHS state how the shin pads are worn whereas others do not. Having looked at the video it appears to me that both players were wearing pads yet they were worn down round the ankles with the socks tucked into them. That is a method used by some players such Jack Grealish of Aston Villa. Have a look at this image. He is wearing shin pads.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/04/20/21/2775569800000578-3047683-image-m-28_1429561663413.jpg
Now he meets the requirement of the Laws of the Game. Does the method offer protection? It does on the lower shin whereas higher up the answer is no.
Have a look at this image
http://www.soccer.com/guide/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/457402770.jpg
There is no protection on the lower shin and the pad is worn just below the knee. Again meets the requirement of the LOTG, NCAA yet do not under NFHS as they are worn too high up on the shin