For the kids of today, soccer is an excellent sporting choice because you need hardly any equipment to play it. Essentially, you need a ball and some space – that’s it. Head into your local sporting supply store, though, and you may well start to think that you need to have a very large bank balance to afford all the bits and pieces the salesperson will say you need to play soccer.
The reality is that if your child is happy to just kick around a soccer ball, you probably don’t need much in the way of soccer equipment. But if your child wants to get involved in a team and start some soccer training, then it’s worth spending a few dollars to make certain they have the right gear.
If they’re going to join a team, then you should expect the team will have a uniform. Generally this will include a top, shorts and matching socks. Some teams are happy to use reasonably generic uniform, others will have a specialised design. It may be possible for you to purchase a second hand uniform from someone else in the team who has grown too big for theirs – it’s certainly worth checking!
Shoes are the next item on the list. It’s possible to play soccer in standard trainers, but it may not be a good idea for your child’s feet and ankles. Grass can be slippery if it’s a little bit wet, and soccer often involves rapid changes of direction. If you can manage, it’s worthwhile buying soccer footwear with cleats. These will help to provide much better traction on grass and reduce the risk of slipping over and twisted ankles. It’s worth spending a few extra dollars to get a good quality pair, because they will certainly be subject to some tough punishment!
Shin guards are optional, but are a good idea even at the beginning level. They need to be firm, but still allow enough movement and flexibility to not interfere with the player’s movement. It’s important to try them on to make sure they are the right fit for your child.
If your child needs a soccer ball to practice with at home, then check what size ball is used for games. Smaller children use a smaller size soccer ball, and it’s important to practice with the same size ball at home for consistency. If your child already has a standard size ball it may still be worth buying a smaller one to match what they use with their team.
Some other soccer equipment that you can also consider, but which falls into the category of “likes” rather than must haves, includes:
- Practice goal – but you’ll need some space to use it!
– Soccer equipment bag
– Soccer cones for drill practice
When your child starts a new interest, like soccer, it can seem a little overwhelming in the beginning to buy all the necessary equipment. But if you can afford to purchase top quality soccer equipment then your investment will pay you back with interest by surviving a lot of the rough usage and energetic activity that goes with soccer without falling apart. Better to replace soccer equipment when your child has outgrown it, instead of because it’s fallen apart.
If you want to learn more about soccer equipment, check out http://www.infoaboutsoccer.com
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March 25, 2009
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