Shin splints are a common but often confusing injury. Sources disagree on both the cause of the injury and the anatomical source of the pain. Some blame shin splints on foot pronation, footstrike pattern, or arch height. Regardless of what causes the condition, it affects many runners, beginning in some at a young age. Young runners often have little understanding of basic anatomy or factors that may cause injuries. Junior high and high school runners may experience an injury before they have an understanding of causes or prevention. It is the responsibility of coaches to clearly explain the basics of injuries like shin splints and factors that cause these injuries. The purpose of this article is to help junior high and high school coaches understand shin splints, allowing them to educate young runners about the condition in an attempt to prevent it from happening. (Contains 2 figures.)