Getting your kids enthusiastic about sports like soccer calls for several things: showing them videos of the most outrageous soccer skills, involving them in a pee wee league in the sport, and equipping them well enough to enjoy and be safe while playing the game.
Like most sports, soccer doesn’t have that long an equipment list. That being said, here are some sporting gear pieces that your kids can’t do without if they want to play soccer. Here is an essential soccer equipment list for kids to get them started on the right foot.
Before you buy anything else or anything on this soccer equipment list, you should consider getting your child a soccer ball. This is the first step towards getting them interested in the game.
This is something they can kick around in the backyard and practice their skills before they decide whether or not they want to do this on a more serious level.
You had probably heard of stories about some of the best soccer players in the world growing up playing barefoot soccer in their local fields before they became superstars.
While these stories are inspiring, most leagues and competitions specify that every player MUST use soccer cleats during a competitive game.
Not only do these shoes protect your kids’ feet, but they also prevent them from skidding across the pitch, making their game better.
While these come as a standard requirement in almost every soccer league, there’s an essential reason why your child needs to have at least a pair of shin guards.
Protection. Shin guards are worn under the socks to protect the player’s shins from potential injuries that may occur as they fight for the ball on the pitch.
A soccer ball pump isn’t entirely essential since kids can share this apparatus, and not every single one needs to have their own. However, if you live far from other kids who are interested in soccer or want your kid to be as self-sufficient as possible in this regard, then buying them a soccer ball pump is a great idea.
Soccer balls tend to lose their pressure over time either due to constant use, storage, and maybe even slow punctures. With a soccer ball pump, your kid can always make sure that their ball holds the optimum pressure, which makes it enjoyable to play with at any given time.
Depending on how enthusiastic your child is about this game, you can get them a host of soccer team shirts from the most popular teams around the globe or simply a few from his or her favorite team.
Not only is this a wonderful way to add to their practicing kit repertoire, but it’s also a good way to keep them motivated.
Besides, having a shirt with the numbers and names of iconic players like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is something a kid can be proud of and show off to his or her teammates. It will also have the added effect of encouraging them to play like those players and emulate their discipline.
Competitive soccer is always played in shorts, and it’s best to get your kids used to this, even during practice sessions.
Again, depending on how active and involved your kid is in the sport, you can either get them a couple of shorts or more for both practice and non-league games.
While these shorts can be gym shorts, getting regular soccer shorts would improve the level of authenticity as well as motivation for your kid.
These socks make them look smart and well kitted, but they are essential in holding the shin guard in place. If you are buying socks for practice sessions instead of regulation wear, it’s best to buy dark-colored ones.
Your kids are going to be playing in an open field, sometimes even through the rain. The darker the colors of these pieces of clothing, the better they will keep before changing color due to stubborn stains.
Tracksuits are extremely convenient. Not only are they comfortable, but they can be worn on top of your team kit when traveling. This means that your kids won’t have to go scampering around to change before the game.
They can take the suits off and put them back on once the game is done. This is particularly ideal when they visit places where there are no changing rooms.
Of course, this only applies if your kid is interested enough to join a team. Usually, you will find that the team will provide your kid with the uniform they will need to wear.
However, if this isn’t the case in their particular youth soccer league, then buying them a pair or two is the best way to keep them interested and feeling like part of the team.
The team managers or coach should point you in the right direction as far where you can get the team uniform is concerned.
While cleats are an integral part of every professional soccer game, your kid isn’t always going to be required to wear them when playing.
Some grounds aren’t conducive for cleats, and that’s why they’ll need a pair of soccer trainers as well. These allow them to enjoy a game of kickball on pretty much any surface.
While soccer is ideally enjoyed in warm weather as the sun shines down on the players, sometimes this isn’t the case. Buying your kids a pair of leggings and Under Armour will allow them to play even through frigid weather as these pieces of clothing can be worn under their kit or tracksuit to keep them warm.
This represents a wide variety of gear. Apart from the ball, you can buy your kid a host of soccer training aids such as a mini-goal, cones, skipping rope, and so on.
All these can be used to improve his conditioning as well as skill level. Cones and mini-goals are the perfect aids for undertaking different drills such as penalty shootouts, dribbling, passing, etc.
It should be said that these aren’t exactly necessary, but they can give your kid an added advantage even if they don’t play the goalkeeper position.
There are some drills that goalkeepers undertake that helps with their reflexes and agility. Having a pair of goalkeeper gloves will help your kid perform these drills more comfortably while developing the skills that they teach.
No matter which position they play, your child will need to stay hydrated during a game of soccer. Yes, during tournaments or official league games, the team will probably provide them with standardized water bottles.
However, your child needs to have their own water bottle, distinguishable from the rest, during practice sessions and even during those friendly games. They can carry water or an energy drink in this bottle wherever they go.
A shin guard set, soccer balls, cleats, tracksuits…all this gear and soccer training equipment needs to be stored somewhere or transported somehow in one convenient location. That’s why buying your child a kit bag is an excellent idea.
The best soccer bag has multiple compartments with the most frequently used soccer gear, including easily accessible water bottles.
Your best approach is to buy a waterproof soccer bag that they can carry with them anywhere and trust to keep their gear dry even when it rains.
Tape is quite convenient to have. Most players won’t need tape often, but it’s ideal to have at least one soccer player carrying tape for when it is needed. That could be your child. Tape is often used for a wide variety of purposes. For example:
It might seem miscellaneous, but tape can be very useful. Some players even use it to tape two or three of their fingers together to minimize the risk of injury in case of a fall.
Even if your kid is the star of the youth soccer team, they will probably have to spend some time on the bench. This can happen in the middle of a game when they get substituted or on the ride to and from games or even during half-time.
If the game is being played in frigid weather, they can use this coat to keep themselves and their muscles warm and loose instead of shivering away while trying to concentrate on the team talk or waiting to get substituted in.
This essential soccer equipment list might seem long, but it could get longer depending on what you think your kid needs the most.
As for now, these 17 pieces of soccer equipment, aids, and soccer gear will equip your child well enough to help them enjoy and remain protected through games and practice sessions.
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