Steve,
My first thought is that you're simply not effectively prepared to do any kicking. If your pain is anterior shin pain, you may just be overloading your anterior compartment (tib anterior and long toe extensors)and getting delayed-onset muscle soreness depending on the type of kicking you're doing.
If you plan on kicking a football or soccer ball on a regular basis, first let yourself recover and then return to kicking progressively rather than going all out the first day.
Dorsiflexion exerises as JP mentioned may provide some general physical prep (also consider some decline running), but you have to look at the activity itself for specific demands. There's a sharp, quick eccentric load at impact as the ball gets in the way of your leg motion. If you're not good at absorbing that force, you'll probably get some repetitive strain. It would be like sitting on you butt for a season and then going out to do a full sprinting workout.
Trying doing some preparative kicking. If you're punting or kicking soccer style, start with 10-20 yard kicks for reps with attention on technique and limit your longer kicks. Over a couple of weeks, progressively increase your kicking volume and distance.
If bryanc can get home from the gym any time soon, I also look forward to any additional info on shin splints if that's truely what we're dealing with here.
Bill Hartman, HARTMAN Certified
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