shin guards

By iffy891
  • 500 BCE

    Origin

    Originated from protective armour that was used in various types of battles throughout history. Known as a greave in ancient times, the armour was often made from bronze and would cover a large area of the lower leg. The earliest physical evidence of the guards in this form was when archaeologist Sir William Temple discovered a pair of bronze greaves with a Gorgon’s head design in the relief on each knee capsule. It was later estimated that they were made in Southern Italy, around 550/500 B.C.E.

  • football introduction

    They were trusted to have been introduced to football by Sam W Widdowson. A cricketer for Nottinghamshire and footballer for Nottingham Forest, Widdowson strapped an altered pair of cricket pads outside his football socks and the first shin guards were born. Despite the embarrassment, the idea caught on and the equipment became normal. Finally, players grew angered with the burden of more weight under their socks and began to play without shin guards again, they were later enforced.

  • adoption

    In the 19th century, various sports began to adopt the use of shin guards due to being inspired by their use in battles.
    Cricket batsmen however were less concerned with protection and more with using their oversized pads to block the stumps, an advantage that was later outlawed by the leg before wicket rule change.
    Some other sports started to adopt the use of shin protection include hiking, mixed martial arts, kickboxing and other combat sports.