Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. People of all ages love to watch this sport. While it might seem like a simple game with low costs, there are several soccer materials required. You might think all you need for this game is just a football or soccer ball and two teams that consist of 11 players. But there are so many more things to add to the soccer equipment list.
Also, there are different types of materials for different types of players. There are different types of sports shoes for players of different ages. So the list of equipment needed for soccer is longer than you think. And if you want to do better in this game you should be ready with all the equipment and materials for your role in the game.
To assist you, we are going to discuss what equipment do you need for soccer in this article-
Soccer equipment list for players
There are mainly two types of soccer games. One is practice games and the other one is the real tournaments. There are a lot of things common among the basic games. However, the practice and the tournaments require different types of soccer materials.
The shopping trip becomes a little easier when you understand soccer equipment. So, let us dive into more details about what you need to play soccer.
1. Soccer ball
Well, a soccer ball is obviously the first thing you would need to play soccer. You can find different soccer balls of different sizes when practicing at home. Make sure to pick up balls that are similar to those used at game time. The best way to practice soccer at home is to always have your own quality soccer ball. A high-quality ball will give your player a real sense of soccer play, much better than a cheap foam ball.
2. Uniform
To help your teammates recognize you from the same team whether you are practicing or competing in tournaments, you should have a uniform. If there are no uniforms, there can be concussions and confusion. The cost of team shirts or full uniforms is usually bundled into the registration fee. All players in youth soccer leagues wear uniforms. A soccer uniform can vary from a simple T-shirt to a complete set of shorts, shoes, and socks. The uniforms may be provided by the league, or you may need to order your own.
Read Also: Soccer Caps: Everything Explained
3. Soccer cleats
The cleats used in soccer are shorter than the cleats of most other games and made of rubber. In British English, they are called “boots.” However, there might also be metal cleats available but they are not the right pick for soccer.
4. Shin Guards.
Contact is a definite characteristic of soccer. So, while playing soccer one can intentionally or unintentionally come in contact with another in fast motion and get hurt or severely injured. According to a recent study, shin guards can prevent shin injuries while playing soccer. This body part is very common to get hit at while playing soccer.
5. Socks and Shorts
Your soccer uniform consists of socks and shorts. You would need socks to wear with your soccer boots. Playing soccer on the field would be easier if you have shorts. Your shin guards will need to be covered with long socks. You can consult your coach for color recommendations on socks.
6. Practice Clothes
There should be separate uniforms only for practice and for the main tournament games. Wearing the same uniform for both types of games will ruin your uniform. And it is important to have fresh uniforms for every game for your comfort and confidence. Otherwise, a sweaty and weary uniform from your practice might make you feel uncomfortable at the tournaments.
7. Water Bottle
It is very common to get thirsty while playing soccer. And as this game requires high energy while running, the players sweat a lot. So, that is why it is important to stay dehydrated during the game. Soccer players should have their own individualized water bottles and be reminded to drink frequently while exercising, depending on their weight. The number of water teenagers drink should be increased. Water bottles should be provided for younger children with a mark showing their daily intake of water.
8. Goalkeeper Gloves
Goal training is part of your soccer training when you are just starting out. Almost every team has at least one player who can serve as the goalie, which is an extremely important role during a match. But not every player should wear goalkeeper gloves. It is only for the player, who is the goalkeeper in the soccer game. With these gloves, your wrists are supported while your fingers are free to move. That makes it easy for you to catch a goal.
9. Gear bag
Carrying all that gear to practice and games becomes much easier with a backpack or tote bag designed for soccer. They are specially designed bags that usually include a soccer ball and all the other soccer gear a player needs.
10. Speed Ladders
Speed ladder drills for soccer are designed to help players improve their agility, coordination, and balance. The drills help players develop their movement, which is beneficial on the field. Therefore, bringing your skills into a game makes you perform better as a soccer player. A speed training drill for football is one of the most fun and challenging exercises. There are different levels of ladder drills that soccer players can perform depending on their level of fitness. The agility ladder is not a fancy piece of equipment, but it has to be durable as they get crushed a lot during training.
11. Waist trainer
It is perfect for beginners to go hands-free if they wear soccer waistbands. These assist with coordination, ball control, reactions, and in the end, self-confidence. You can use it to practice throwing ins, shooting, and passing. The ball is inserted into the sleeve, and the belt is fastened to the waist. Then kick away. An elastic cord that extends to 18 feet makes this Adjustable Waist Belt perfect.
12. Cones
Soccer training is built on the humble cone, and you’ll find them indispensable when you’re learning to play the game. You can use them for warming up, developing ball control, and practicing passing and finishing techniques. Every week you will incorporate them into your home routines and use them in training with your coaches. It is common to find orange soccer cones that are very durable. This is why they stand out against the grass and are so flexible; they flex back into shape when stepped on or kicked.
13. Soccer Net
If you want to improve your practice at home or on the local pitch, you could. Consider purchasing a portable soccer goal if that is the case. There are a few things to consider when buying one; however, they are quick and easy to put up. In a good soccer net, the corners will have a strong structure, which will hold it up, and the frame should be made of steel with a protective coating to prevent rusting. There should also be smaller squares on soccer nets for safety.
Soccer equipment for kids
When it comes to soccer equipment, kids almost need the exact things as an adult player, but sometimes they can use a few extra things. Here are the essential items your child needs to play soccer:
1. Uniform
Kids need separate uniforms too. There can be a specific color, name of the team, player number, and the name of your kid in the jersey if they are into a serious game.
2. Soccer Boots
As long as they fit properly and provide adequate support, any type of athletic shoe will do for children up to the age of eight or nine. However, they should not be given used shoes. If your kids grow out of their shoes frequently, make sure to replace them. Regardless of whether the shoe fits properly, tie the shoelaces at the ankle.
3. Practice uniforms
The uniforms of players on the same team usually have the same color and number on the back. A soccer uniform is typically worn only during games, so your little kicker needs athletic clothing that fits practice games well. Ensure the clothing allows freedom of movement. During sweaty warm-weather activities, wicking material helps keep your kid cool and dry.
4. Water bottle
It is a key part of soccer to run up and down the field. Football season usually happens in the summertime. Make sure your child keeps hydrated with water bottles. To avoid confusion and water bottle mix-ups on the bench, write your kid’s name on the bottle.
5. Goalkeeper gloves
Make sure your child has the right goalkeeper gloves if he or she wants to play goalkeeper. As a child may not yet be in a league that uses goalies, you can wait to purchase gloves until your child is confirmed as a goalkeeper.
6. Mouthguard
A mouthguard helps to prevent getting hurt in the mouth while playing soccer. Sometimes a soccer player needs or wears a mouthguard, but it is not always the case. When your kid plays soccer, you may want to consider him/her wearing a mouthguard to save the teeth from falling off due to running and falling.
Soccer Equipment List for Referee
Referees need a bit different types of equipment than the regular players. Some of the equipment might be the same as the players but there is a lot of equipment that makes a difference between regular players and the referees. So let’s check out the things you need for soccer if you are a referee.
1. Full Soccer Kit
A full soccer kit means the entire outfit for playing soccer as a referee. It is better to get it as a whole, so you do not have to purchase it one by one. The full kit might include a referee uniform, tracksuit, jersey top with breast pocket, shorts with back pocket, and socks to complete the whole outfit. Different colors are available for referee jerseys, although they are usually all black, all yellow, or all blue with only a different color on the top. If the shorts and top have pockets, the referee will place the items that will assist him in officiating a match in there.
2. Soccer Flag
In this manner, the assistant referee can indicate fouls, throws, corner kicks, goal kicks, and substitutions.
3. Whistle
A small, wind-powered instrument that makes shrill sounds when blown. During a match, the referee can use this instrument to perform various functions, including signaling the start or end of a game, blowing for a foul, signaling if a goal is scored, and many other things.
4. Referee cards
Referees or umpires are usually the ones who use penalty cards as a way of communicating an offense by a player. A referee will point to the player who committed the offense while holding the card over their head.
5. Pen and Notepads
To record the number of yellow cards and red cards given to players, referees use pens and notepads.
6. Ball Gauges
During a soccer game, soccer balls are inflated through ball gauges, which measure inflation levels.
7. Number Board
As well as the number of extra minutes, this is used by the reserve referee to identify which players are being replaced.
8. Digital Watch
To referees, it is helpful to have a digital watch that tells them when an event has begun or ended. Aside from being used to tell the referee how much time is left in the match, these days’ watches work in conjunction with special goal-line technology that buzzes the referee’s watch when the ball crosses the line.
9. Spray Can
Spray cans contain foam that referees use to mark the area on the pitch from which a free kick will be taken. This marking also serves as a guide during a freekick so that players from the defending team know where to stand
- Special Two-Way Communication Device
Two-way Special Two Way Communication Devices are special gadgets that facilitate communication between the referee and his assistant referees and virtual assistant referees during a match.
Final Words
So that was all about the basic things you need for soccer. Whether you are a soccer player or you are buying soccer equipment for kids, you can follow the list given above for the soccer equipment you need. The soccer equipment list for referees might be a bit hard to find or confusing but we hope this article will help you with that as we have also included the soccer equipment list for referees.