Rule Update: Shin Guards and Sock Regulations in Socca

Small-sided football continues to evolve, drawing inspiration from semi-professional leagues such as the Icon League. As part of this development, and following international trends, the mandatory use of shin guards has been reassessed. The conclusion is clear: the requirement to wear shin guards is no longer necessary in our competitions.
This change is also supported by the fact that existing regulations concerning shin guards are vague and easily circumvented. Under previous rules, shin guards could technically be as small as a matchbox, making their protective value questionable and undermining the rationale behind the requirement. In addition, the use of different sock colors to distinguish teams – a standard in full-field football due to the referee’s distance from the play – is not practical in the context of small-sided football, where the referee is always close to the action.
However, some rules remain in place. Teams must continue to wear uniform socks or football stockings in the same color, for example, all white. Players from the same team wearing different sock colors are not permitted. In theory, both teams could play in the same sock color, as the need to distinguish socks between opponents no longer applies in the small-sided format.
Players are not allowed to participate without sports socks or football stockings. Sports socks are defined as long or mid-length athletic socks designed for football use, made of elastic material, and covering at least the ankle. These must be appropriate for football and provide proper fit and coverage.
While shin guards are no longer mandatory, their use remains recommended as an additional measure of protection. Teams and players are free to choose whether to wear them, but should be aware that they still offer a level of safety, particularly in competitive matches.
With these adjustments, small-sided football takes another step toward aligning its regulations with the realities of the game, emphasizing practicality without compromising player safety.