When most of us think of sports that require protective gear we think of major contact sports like football and hockey. However, athletic injuries happen in every sport and athletes whether they be recreational or competitive need protection from injury from other players, from the environment, and from themselves.

Soccer, the most popular sport in the world, is perhaps the most underprotected sport given the high velocity of movement and contact with the most power generating lever arms of the body in the lower extremities. The range of injuries for soccer players include: head injuries from contact, mouth or tooth injuries from the ball or being kicked, and almost any injury you can think of to the legs including bruises, sprains, torn ligaments, and even broken bones.

It's important for soccer players to wear protective equipment. It is important to teach children from a young age to wear protective equipment because protective equipment is never as comfortable as going without it. Bad habits are hard to break but failure to use protection increases the chance of injury.

Here is a list of equipment recommended by most Orthopaedic Sports Physicians:

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