I'm pretty sure that it's still called road rash. Or maybe trail rash I have some awesome scars on both knees from trail rash. Heck, it was so bad at one point that the nurses at the campus health clinic knew me by name and would have wound care kits made up for me Hope that you're ok!

Anyhow, I think that shin and knee guards would be a great idea. You might feel more confident if you knew that falling wouldn't hurt as much. And more confidence leads to trying new things and developing new skills, I think.