����ý

If you're a football fan or play the sport, then you've probably heard of mini shin pads.

More and more grassroots clubs around the country are deciding to ban them for safety reasons.

That's because there are worries, especially at non-elite level, that smaller pads don't cover the shins properly and could increase the risk of injury.

While football rules say that all players must wear shin pads - there is nothing in the law which says what size they should be.

What do you think of football stars wearing mini shin pads? Does your club let you wear them? Should smaller shin pads be banned?

Let us know in the comments below.

What are mini shin pads?

As the name suggests, "micro" - or "mini" shin pads as they're also known - are shin guards that cover a smaller amount of the shin (the front part of the leg from the knee to the ankle), compared to larger sized shin pads which cover the whole area.

Sizes of mini shin pads vary but some can be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Where did this trend come from?

Over recent seasons, many football stars - including Premier League and Women's Super League players - have been wearing small shin pads.

This trend is now being copied on football pitches across the country including at non-professional and junior level.

Some professional players say that smaller shin pads are more comfortable and less bulky to wear.

For others it's a fashion choice as they can wear mini shin pads with their socks rolled down.

However, there are worries - especially at non-elite level - as smaller pads don't cover the shins properly and therefore could increase the risk of injury.

That's why an increasing number of non-professional and junior clubs have taken the decision to ban mini shin pads from being worn during training and on matchdays.

Why are players able to wear them?

While football rules state that all players must wear shin pads - there is nothing in the law which says what size they should be.

You might think it's the Football Association (FA) who sets the rules but it is actually an organisation called the International Football Association Board (IFAB) who are in charge of the game's laws.

They say players - or the parents or guardians of youth players - must take responsibility for their own safety on the pitch.

What has the FA said on the issue of mini shin pads?

Newsround spoke to the FA who gave us their latest guidance on the use of shin pads in grassroots football.

They say that: "Shin pads play an important role in injury prevention as they are intended to protect the shin from injury.

"'Micro' or 'mini' shin pads may therefore increase the risk of injury due to the smaller amount of shin covered compared to larger sized shin pads."

The FA advise when choosing what shin pads to wear "that safety is prioritised by ensuring a good proportion of the shin area is covered, and therefore protected."

They also added it is important to look out for a CE mark when buying shin pads as this means the shin guards meet safety requirements.