Summary: A knee guard that slips down does not protect the knee. The most common causes are the wrong size, worn or loosely fastened straps, a sock that is not lying flat, or tape applied in the wrong place or too loosely. Start by checking that the knee is centered in the guard and that the straps are fastened. Pull the sock smoothly over the guard and then tape 2–3 turns just above and 2–3 turns just below the knee guard, around the sock and the guard, never against the skin. The guard should fit snugly but not be tight. A finger should fit under the tape.
Introduction
It starts with you pulling up the sock in the locker room. Then again after the next change. And by the end of the period, the knee guard has slipped down so far that the knee sticks out above it. It is frustrating, it takes focus away from the game and, most importantly, the knee is no longer protected.
The good thing is that a knee guard that slips can almost always be made to stay securely in place. It is a matter of the right size, the right placement, and the right taping. In this guide, we go over the difference between knee guards and shin guards, why the guards slip, and how to make them stay from the first drop to the final whistle. This applies to both you who have the knee guard built into the shin guard and you who use separate knee guards.
Knee guard or shin guard – what is the difference?
It depends on the sport and equipment.
- In ice hockey, the knee guard is usually part of the shin guard, in the form of a knee cup at the top of the guard. When hockey players talk about the knee guard slipping, they usually mean that the entire shin guard has slipped down, so that the knee cup no longer sits over the knee.
- In bandy, many players use shin guards that are shorter and more flexible, and some complement them with separate knee guards. Separate knee guards are held in place with elastic bands or Velcro straps around the leg.
In both cases, the goal is the same: the knee should be centered in the guard throughout the match. And in both cases, the tape is what keeps the guard in place when straps and Velcro are not enough.
Why knee guards slip down
Wrong size. A guard that is too large has nothing to grip around the leg and slips down under its own weight. A guard that is too small often ends up crooked and twists. Check the size before each season, especially for children.
Worn or loosely fastened straps. Velcro that is full of lint does not stick well, and elastic bands stretch out over time. The straps should hold the guard in place while you tape. If they do not, fix them first.
The sock is not lying flat. A sock with wrinkles or one that is too loose gives the tape an uneven surface to grip, and then both the sock and the guard can slip.
Tape in the wrong place or too few turns. A single turn is rarely enough. Tape applied in the middle of the guard instead of above and below it also does not hold.
Wrong tape. Regular tape and electrical tape lose their grip when it gets cold and damp, and cloth tape does not stretch, so it cracks or pinches when the leg moves.
Moisture. Tape applied to a damp sock, or that does not get enough time to stick before you go out on the ice, lets go faster.
How to make the knee guard stay securely – step by step
1. Check the size. The knee should be centered in the knee cup or the separate knee guard, both when you are standing upright and when you bend your knee. The guard should cover the entire knee without pressing.
2. Fasten the straps correctly. Just right. The straps should hold the guard in place while you tape, not do all the work themselves. Clean the Velcro of lint if it does not stick well.
3. Pull the sock smoothly. The sock should lie without wrinkles over the guard. With separate knee guards under the pants or sock, make sure the guard is positioned correctly before pulling the sock up.
4. Tape above and below the guard. Bend your knee slightly and apply 2–3 turns just above the knee guard, around the sock and guard. Then apply 2–3 turns just below the knee guard. The tape locks the guard from top to bottom, so that it cannot slip. If you have a shin guard with a built-in knee cup, you apply the upper turn just below the knee and the lower turn just above the skate.
5. Test. Squat down, bend your knees, and take a few strides. The guard should stay in place without being tight.
Which tape? Use a thin, stretchable shin guard tape that withstands sweat and cold. Shin Guard Tape PRO is made of 0.18 mm PVC film with a rubber-based adhesive and withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C. It stays in place even in a cold ice rink or out on the bandy field. For training, the classic Shin Guard Tape works well. If you want the tape to match the team's socks, Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is available in ten colors.
Never tape directly against the skin. The tape should always lie around the sock and the guard. The entire technique for shin guards is in the guide on how to tape shin guards, and for bandy in the guide on how to tape in bandy.
How tight should knee guards fit – and how do they last longer?
Snug but not tight. The knee guard should fit so that it does not slip when you move, but it must not pinch or prevent the knee from bending fully. The tape should be moderately tight. The rule of thumb is that you should be able to stick a finger under it. Tape pulled too tight restricts blood flow, and the leg becomes heavy, numb, or starts to cramp. Bend your knee slightly when you apply the upper turn, so the tape does not tighten when you get into a skating position.
If it pinches or causes numbness. Cut the tape and re-tape it more loosely. If the knee continues to feel uncomfortable, the guard may be the wrong size, or the straps may be fastened too tightly.
Care that makes the guards last:
- Dry after every session. Take the guards out of the bag and let them dry at room temperature. Wet guards smell, and the padding breaks down faster.
- Clean the Velcro. Lint and hair make the Velcro stick worse. Clean it regularly.
- Cut the tape instead of tearing it off. Use scissors along the outside of the leg. This makes the socks last longer and gives the next taping a smooth surface.
- Replace worn guards. Guards with flat padding, broken straps, or cracks protect less and slip more easily.
Always have tape in your bag. Shin guards are re-taped before every session, so a lot of tape is used. With Shin Guard Tape PRO (3-pack), you get tape delivered home every other week, every month, or every three months. The Skate Kit includes Shin Guard Tape PRO, waxed skate laces, and a case for spare blades.
Frequently asked questions about taping knee guards
1. How do you tape knee guards?
Start by checking that the knee is centered in the guard and fasten the straps moderately tight. Pull the sock smoothly over the guard, without wrinkles. Bend your knee slightly and apply 2–3 turns of shin guard tape just above the knee guard, around both the sock and the guard. Then apply 2–3 turns just below the knee guard. The tape locks the guard from top to bottom, so that it cannot slip. If you have a shin guard with a built-in knee cup, such as in ice hockey, you apply the upper turn just below the knee and the lower turn just above the skate. Then the entire guard, and thus the knee cup, stays in place. Never tape directly against the skin. The tape sticks worse there and hurts to remove. Do not pull it tighter than so that a finger fits under the tape. Test by squatting down and taking a few strides. The guard should stay in place without being tight. Use a shin guard tape that withstands sweat and cold, such as Shin Guard Tape PRO. The entire technique, including the most common mistakes, is in the guide on how to tape shin guards.
2. How tight should knee guards fit?
Snug but not tight. The knee guard should fit so that it does not slip or twist when you skate, bend your knee, or fall, but it must not pinch, press on the kneecap, or prevent the knee from bending fully. A good test is to squat down and take a few deep knee bends. The guard should follow along and stay over the knee, and it should not hurt anywhere. The straps should be moderately tight, so that they hold the guard in place while you tape but do not cut into the leg. The tape should be tight enough that you can stick a finger under it. Tape pulled too tight restricts blood flow, and the leg becomes heavy, numb, or starts to cramp. Bend your knee slightly when you apply the upper turn, so the tape does not tighten in a skating position. If you get numbness, tingling, or increased pain, cut the tape and re-tape it more loosely. If it continues to pinch, the guard may be the wrong size. With a flexible tape such as Shin Guard Tape PRO, it is easy to get the right tension, because it follows the leg's movements instead of locking them.
3. Why do knee guards slip down?
The most common causes are the wrong size, worn straps, and tape applied incorrectly. A guard that is too large has nothing to grip around the leg and slips down under its own weight. A guard that is too small often ends up crooked. Velcro full of lint does not stick well, and elastic bands stretch out over time. If the sock has wrinkles or is too loose, the tape gets an uneven surface to grip. A single turn of tape is rarely enough, and tape applied in the middle of the guard instead of above and below it does not hold. The wrong tape is also a common cause. Electrical tape and regular tape lose their grip in cold and damp conditions, and cloth tape does not stretch, so it cracks when the leg moves. Moisture also plays a role, because tape applied to a damp sock lets go faster. Fix the causes in order: check the size, clean or replace the straps, pull the sock smoothly, and tape 2–3 turns above and below the guard with a proper shin guard tape. Shin Guard Tape PRO withstands cold down to −10 °C and stays in place throughout the match. If the guard still slips, it may be time to replace it.
4. Which tape is best for knee guards?
A thin, stretchable shin guard tape that withstands sweat, cold, and movement. It follows the leg's shape and stays in place without cracking when you bend your knee. Shin Guard Tape PRO is our first choice for active players. It is made of 0.18 mm PVC film with a rubber-based adhesive, is 24 mm wide and 20 m long, and withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C. It stays in place even on a cold day out on the bandy field. The classic Shin Guard Tape works well for training and for those who tape often and want to keep costs down. If you want the tape to match the socks, Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is available in ten colors, and it is also hand-tearable. Avoid cloth tape, which is made for the blade of a stick. It does not stretch and cracks or pinches when the leg moves. Also avoid electrical tape and regular household tape, which let go in cold and damp conditions. Shin guard tape should always be applied around the sock and the guard, never directly against the skin. It is not made to support the knee itself.
5. Do you need separate knee guards in hockey and bandy?
In ice hockey, the knee guard is usually built into the shin guard, as a knee cup at the top, and then no separate knee guards are needed. The important thing is that the shin guard is the right size, so that the knee is centered in the knee cup, and that the entire guard stays in place during the match. In bandy, the shin guards are often shorter and more flexible, and some players complement them with separate knee guards to get better protection over the knee. This is especially common among players who have had knee pain or who play a position where they often end up on their knees. Which one suits you depends on your guards and how you play. The most important thing is that the knee is covered throughout the match. Regardless of the solution, the guards need to be taped to stay in place. With separate knee guards, you apply 2–3 turns above and 2–3 turns below the guard, around the sock and guard. With shin guards, you tape below the knee and above the skate. Shin Guard Tape PRO works for both. More about bandy equipment is in the guide on how to tape in bandy.
6. How do you know that the knee guard is the right size?
The knee should be centered in the knee cup or the separate knee guard, both when you are standing upright and when you bend your knee. The guard should cover the entire knee, and there should not be any gap upwards toward the thigh or downwards toward the shin. Do a simple test. Put on the guard and fasten the straps moderately tight. Then squat down and stand up a few times. A guard in the right size follows along and stays in place. A guard that is too large slips down or twists, and one that is too small ends up crooked or presses. It is a good idea to measure according to the manufacturer's size guide. For shin guards, you usually measure from the center of the kneecap down to the top of the skate. Always try the guards together with socks and skates, because it affects how they fit. For children, it is tempting to buy a size larger so that the guard will last longer, but it rarely works. A guard that is too large slips and protects less. Check the size before each season. A guard in the right size also needs less tape to stay in place.
7. How often should you replace the tape on the knee guards?
Before every training session and match. The tape is cut off after the session, and next time you apply new tape. Old tape cannot be reused, because the adhesive has lost its grip and the tape has stretched. It simply does not hold the guard in place again. If the tape lets go during a session, re-tape it in the break instead of putting new tape on top of the old, because tape on tape sticks worse. Always cut the tape with scissors along the outside of the leg instead of tearing it off, so the socks are spared. This means that a lot of tape is used during a season, and the most common problem is that it runs out just before a match. Therefore, always have an extra roll in your bag. With a subscription to Shin Guard Tape PRO (3-pack), you get three rolls delivered home every other week, every month, or every three months, depending on how much you play. If you prefer the classic tape, Shin Guard Tape (3-pack) is available. For teams that tape many legs every week, Shin Guard Tape PRO (10-pack) is a better fit.
8. When should you replace the knee guard?
When the guard no longer protects or fits as it should. Look for padding that has become flat and does not spring back, cracks in hard parts, broken straps, or Velcro that no longer sticks despite having cleaned it. A guard with flat padding absorbs impacts less effectively, and a guard with worn straps slips more easily, even if you tape it. For children and teenagers, size often determines it. A guard that has become too small does not cover the entire knee and ends up crooked. Therefore, check the size before each season. For adults, it depends on how much the guards are used and how they are cared for. Proper care makes them last longer. Take the guards out of the bag after every session and let them dry at room temperature. Do not put them on a heater, because strong heat can damage plastic and padding. Clean the Velcro regularly. Also make sure that the guards do not rub against the skate. With shin guard tape that holds the guard in place, such as Shin Guard Tape PRO, both the guard and the socks wear less, because they do not rub against each other during the session.
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