It is said that Weller Widdowson cut down a pair of cricket pads and started wearing them to protect him during football matches, and that his idea soon caught on. Shin guards in sport have been ...

For protection, athletes must also wear a mouthpiece, groin area protector, gloves, shin and forearm guards. The forearm and shin guards are to prevent nerve damage to those areas.

Non-dangerous protective equipment, for example gloves, headgear, facemasks and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material is permitted as are goalkeepers’ caps and sports ...