Beginning with the 2008-09 high school soccer season, shinguards must meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standard. This risk-minimization rule was passed two years ago for implementation in 2007-08; however, the start-up was delayed one year to allow manufacturers another year to supply these types of shinguards to local equipment suppliers.

The new NOCSAE shinguards will be stamped or labeled with the NOCSAE logo. They will specify which size is correct for a particular-sized player, making it easy for players, coaches and officials to differentiate which shinguards are to be worn."