To tuck or not to tuck?

[CigarScott 132]

So I'm going to have the opportunity to try on shin guards at a real hockey store next weekend. I've watched Youtube videos and read other posts about how to wear shin guards and still don't know which way to go. I am a beginning player and skater. I plan on playing D, am about 6'5" and am overweight, if that makes any difference. What would the best way for a beginner to wear shins?  Thanks.

[chk hrd 164]

whatever way feels most comfortable.

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

I prefer to tuck, feel I get a tad more coverage.

 

[GunRunner 28]

I believe it will come down to personal preference and what feels best.  I play D, I'm 5'9" and I wear CCM Ultra Tacks 17" Shin guards over my tongue.  There is nothing worse than taking a heavy shot to the laces so that's why I overlap my shins over my tongue.  

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

Totally preference.  Just keep in mind, if you wear over the tongues, you might want to go 1" longer in the shin pads.

[CigarScott 132]

7 minutes ago, shoot_the_goalie said:

Totally preference.  Just keep in mind, if you wear over the tongues, you might want to go 1" longer in the shin pads.

Right, which is why I asked before I go off and try some on and buy a pair.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

As with all things labelled ‘personal preference’ if you’re a beginner and therefore haven’t yet settled on a preference, you need a starting point. 

With that in mind I’d go with shins over tongues to start. It’s more protective obviously and if you don’t know any different, then that’s basically the tie breaker with everything else being equal. 

[Monty22 832]

Bring your skates and try them on both ways.

[bandits_5 18]

I’ve always worn my shins over the tongue and decided, one day, to try my shins behind the tongue. The lace bite, at the top and second eyelet, by the end of the game was nearly unbearable. So, it was a one time thing for me. 

[SILVER82 8]

I second bringing your skates with you. Takes away the guess work. 

[puckpilot 312]

Waaaay back in the day, I flopped my tongue. Then, I had it had it pointed out that doing that left larger gaps where an errant skate blade could cut me, so I started tucking. Over the years, after hearing about NHL players getting stuff like tendons severed from skate blades, I don't think I'll ever move away from the tuck. For me, I don't see any reason or advantage to not tuck.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

2 hours ago, bandits_5 said:

I’ve always worn my shins over the tongue and decided, one day, to try my shins behind the tongue. The lace bite, at the top and second eyelet, by the end of the game was nearly unbearable. So, it was a one time thing for me. 

Yup same here. The fold in the tongue was digging in. Hurt like hell. 

16 minutes ago, puckpilot said:

Waaaay back in the day, I flopped my tongue. Then, I had it had it pointed out that doing that left larger gaps where an errant skate blade could cut me, so I started tucking. Over the years, after hearing about NHL players getting stuff like tendons severed from skate blades, I don't think I'll ever move away from the tuck. For me, I don't see any reason or advantage to not tuck.

I guess some people like the way it looks. Otherwise I agree. 

[rawkstar 45]

Besides all the points already mentioned it does change the way you skate. When you flop you get a bit less stability, but more range of motion. When you tuck your tongue under the pads it connects the skate to your shin more so you get a little bit of extra stability at the expense of that range of motion. Comes down to what your skating motion is like and how strong your ankles are.

[Larry54 243]

14 hours ago, bandits_5 said:

I’ve always worn my shins over the tongue and decided, one day, to try my shins behind the tongue. The lace bite, at the top and second eyelet, by the end of the game was nearly unbearable. So, it was a one time thing for me. 

I've had the same experience.

[stick9 890]

11 hours ago, rawkstar said:

Besides all the points already mentioned it does change the way you skate. When you flop you get a bit less stability, but more range of motion. When you tuck your tongue under the pads it connects the skate to your shin more so you get a little bit of extra stability at the expense of that range of motion. Comes down to what your skating motion is like and how strong your ankles are.

I’d agree with that assessment. 

Skated my entire life with the tongues out until I got some Supreme One.9’s. Due to the thickness of the tongue and the inserts I wasn’t able to get the tongue to bend enough to where it felt natural having them out. I tried tucking them behind the shins and have done so ever since. 

I don’t do the extra long shins so not sure I gain any protection.

[Larry54 243]

11 hours ago, rawkstar said:

Besides all the points already mentioned it does change the way you skate. When you flop you get a bit less stability, but more range of motion. When you tuck your tongue under the pads it connects the skate to your shin more so you get a little bit of extra stability at the expense of that range of motion. Comes down to what your skating motion is like and how strong your ankles are.

I have no problem whatsoever with range of motion tucking my tongues.

[specs78 33]

After taking a shot off the laces, I switched to shins over. Definitely helps protection wise

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

I skate with my tongues under shins - just personal preference.  I've skated with both styles, for long periods of time, and I don't find any noticeable difference in range of motion either way.  I do find I get better protection with tongues tucked.

[Zac911 317]

Truly disappointed there has not yet been one Silence of the Lambs joke wedged in here.

 

 

[darkhors 88]

I just recently switched over to tongues under and have been pleasantly surprised with how much I like it. I've skated with tongues out for 33 years and thought it was going to feel weird, but when I switched to new shins a while back, they fit just a bit different and going tongues in has made it feel more natural and albeit adds just a little extra protection, but that wasn't a reason for the switch.

[VegasHockey 1280]

26 minutes ago, darkhors said:

I just recently switched over to tongues under and have been pleasantly surprised with how much I like it. I've skated with tongues out for 33 years and thought it was going to feel weird, but when I switched to new shins a while back, they fit just a bit different and going tongues in has made it feel more natural and albeit adds just a little extra protection, but that wasn't a reason for the switch.

I also switched to tongues under recently too after 30+ years of skating tongues out. I feel like I get better forward flex. 

[chippa13 1844]

21 hours ago, Zac911 said:

Truly disappointed there has not yet been one Silence of the Lambs joke wedged in here.

 

 

It is the first thing I think of every single time I see the thread title.

[jpeaslee 30]

I don't think size has anything to do with it, but as a fellow big guy, and Alabama hockey player (I mean, how many of us really are there?), I go tongues out.  I've done it since I was a kid and it just feels more natural.  Whenever i try and tuck it just feels weird and the pads feel looser and less secure.  I wish i could deal with the tuck though as I wouldn't mind a little more protection over the laces. 

[DRR 112]

Tuck the tongues. You don't lose mobility or forward flex unless you're taping the very bottom of your shins (and it would basically be, taping them to your skate at that point.)

How your skate fits and feels is infinitely more important than how tight your shinguard is, so I do whatever is comfortable for the skate and work the shin around it.

 

 

[nyquil 43]

I've always tucked the tongue.  Like others have said you don't lose mobility unless the shin guard is way too long or you tape the bottom and wrap it around your skate.