What equipment do we need for Soccer?

[3boymthr]

Sort of inspired by the Soccer Cleats for a 4 yo thread - My middle DS (10) is trying soccer for the first time this fall. Believe it or not we've never played soccer before - until now none of the kids have been interested so I'm totally clueless on what I need to buy and what these items will cost and where I can get them cheapest - so all you soccer experts besides cleats, but what else do I need to budget for and how much should I expect to spend?

BTW - he's doing the in-town soccer sponsored by our rec department, not travel soccer, if that makes a difference.

 

[naomi78155]

Your son will have so much fun. I coached my son's team last year, it was his first time to play.

For our league, the kids were required to have soccer cleats, a ball (check the size your son needs) and shin guards.

Academy will have a package that should be coming up soon that will have all of those things for around $20. It is not a brand name, but worked fine for us.

Good luck and have fun!

Also, a water bottle would be good to have.

 

[missenmickey]

Both of my daughters are in travel soccer and love it. You will definitely need shin guards. All rec and travel teams require them. You don't need to buy anything fancy. You will also need socks to cover the shin guards. Our rec teams require you to purchase a jersey and socks separate. However, some programs include those in the registration fee. You should check with your local rec department to see exactly what they require. Here in Michigan it can get quite cold during the end of the fall season and beginning of the spring one. My daughters just layer turtlenecks, sweatshirts and t-shirts under their jersey. Have Fun!! We love to watch our daughters play.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Soccer Cleats, shin pads, soccer socks to go over the shin pads (not always necessary, but trust me they help keep the pads in place), a pair of coordinating colored shorts that fit properly, and a soccer ball - make sure to ask the league what size to practice at home.

Some soccer tips:

- They play rain, shine and or snow. If you have games that are close together and the shoes get wet, put newspaper in them overnight changing every few hours to dry the shoes.

- I would recommend water during the game, then juice or gatorade afterward.

- They run a LOT, try not to eat to close to the game, but make sure they do eat.

- Be prepared for lots of bruises and pains. It's the nature of the game even with little ones. They get kicked a lot in the ankles and shins and fall down.

- Put a set of extra clothes and a garbage bag in the trunk if there is rain in the forecast. Strip and change child before you will allow them into the car.

- It is not safe to walk around in cleats unless they are on the soccer field or grass.

- Don't run out immediately onto the field if your child falls down, this just embarasses them.

- Only shout out positive vibes, and never put down the coach or another player in front of your child...


But most of all welcome to the club: SoccerMoms!!

 

[KS Dis Mom]

As a mom of two soccer players and also a commissioner for our soccer program, I recommend the following:

Shin Guards!!!! You can spend anywhere from $5 to $25 on them. Wear them under the socks.

Are you provided with a uniform (shirt/shorts/socks) from the rec center? If they do not provide the socks, you will need to buy a pair.

We do not require our players to wear soccer cleats. All they have to wear are tennis shoes that tie up. No slip on shoes and if they are velcro that they stay on tight when they kick. If you do buy cleats, make sure they are socccer cleats and NOT football cleats (their is a differance).

I hope that I have helped a little bit.

Have fun with soccer!

 

[DisneyDreams4]

Modell's usually have packages around $40.00 included are cleats, shin pads, ball and socks. they have these packages before soccer starts.

good luck

 

[undertheradar]

Do not get the cleats fitted to be big. Many parents do this and the increased risk of injury is not worth it. Be sure to purchase the correct size soccer ball. Wear sunscreen to practice and games. Have a box of trash bags in your car in case the field is wet or it rains(these are great for the wet gear and as quick use ponchos and seat liners). Take water everywhere.

 

[wmharley]

Our club gives us the socks and the uniforms.

You can get socks with shinguards in them. Walmart has em for about $10.

 

[sam_gordon]

Go to Wal*Mart and get (before the first practice):

*Shin Guards. I suggest the kind that provide some padding for the ankle
*An appropriate size ball (I think around here, U10 uses size 4)
*Soccer cleats (you can tell soccer cleats from others in that they don't have a cleat at the 'toe')
*"camping" chairs (if you don't already have them). More than likely there are no bleachers at the fields... you bring your own seating.

Find out if your league will provide uniforms & which parts. Basically you should end up with a jersey, socks, and shorts. Our league provides jersey & socks, we provide shorts.

Now, a couple things to keep in mind...
*Your son will RUN. Soccer is a very active sport. Generally there is movement on the field the entire time. Granted, if he's on defense and his team is pushing the ball toward the other goal, he may be able to rest (stand in place), but it won't be for long. DD played at 8/9 yo, but elected not to play at 10 because "you run too much".
*There will be kids on the team (and other teams) who have been playing the game for 5+ years, and have the skills to show them. Don't assume all those kids will go to 'travel' teams because the parents might not have the money or time to commit to a travel team. I only say this because if your son is uber-competitive (mine is), he may be frustrated they can do things he can't. I took DS(7) to a soccer camp put on by the local college. He stayed step-for-step with a 9yo, was 1/2 step "behind" a 10yo, and was upset because he couldn't stop the 10yo.

Have fun! It's a fun sport to watch once you learn about it. I couldn't watch a minute of soccer on TV until my kids started playing. Now I found myself glued to the TV for 10-15 minutes (at work) while watching the World Cup.

 

[mjkacmom]

For our rec league, kids just need cleats, shin guards, and soccer socks. DH coaches ds12's travel team, and ds7's rec and travel teams - I am a true soccer mom!

 

[mjkacmom]

*There will be kids on the team (and other teams) who have been playing the game for 5+ years, and have the skills to show them. Don't assume all those kids will go to 'travel' teams because the parents might not have the money or time to commit to a travel team. I only say this because if your son is uber-competitive (mine is), he may be frustrated they can do things he can't. I took DS(7) to a soccer camp put on by the local college. He stayed step-for-step with a 9yo, was 1/2 step "behind" a 10yo, and was upset because he couldn't stop the 10yo.
.

Yes - ds12 has been playing soccer since the age of 3, and plays rec as well as travel (loves to be the best on the team - lol - the league spreads out the travel players). Make sure your ds knows the rules of the game, because the other kids will have learned them by now.

 

[Leajess99]

Try to avoid using tennis shoes at the U10 and above groups as some referees do not allow the use of tennis shoes due to safety concerns (lack of traction).

As for what they need, ours also needs shin guards, a ball in the correct size and since your ds is already 10 he would be in the Under 12 league if they fall under US Youth Soccer. He would need a size 4 soccer ball which you can find at Target or Walmart pretty reasonable. Dick's Sporting goods also has packages in which you can get the cleats, shin guards, and ball for a decent price. We pretty much own stock in the local soccer store here as the owner actually tries the cleats and shin guards on the kids so he knows they fit them properly.

Your son will have fun and you never know he could be a natural player. My oldest had a girl on his team start playing in Under 14 and the next season she was on the high school team as she was just a natural player. I started coaching 13 years ago and love it. My youngest is looking at moving to the Under 10 league early as she outran everyone in the Under 8 league last season at 7. She plays mixed and while some people I know said she is too small, she is the same size as 2 of the boys on her team that are moving up and bigger than the other girl that is moving up.

 

[2luvmickey]

Welcome to the world of soccer! You are now officially a Soccer Parent!!

After 15 years of soccer with three boys, my DS 15 is hanging up his cleats and focusing on swimming. I'm going to miss the soccer games and watching him play.

Everyone has you on track with the equipment. Now all your child has to do is have fun!!

 

[WyomingMomof6]

All my kids were required to have was shin guards. Cleats are nice to wear instead of regular tennis shoes.

 

[mjkacmom]

All my kids were required to have was shin guards. Cleats are nice to wear instead of regular tennis shoes.

Definitely check with your league - ours started teams in first grade, and cleats were required.

 

[TxRabbit]

The only thing I would add to the good advice here is a thermos style water cooler water bottle thing. You know the kind that is just like a typical cooler but is only made to hold liquid? Forget all other water bottle styles. You son will drink a LOT and this is what you want.

ALSO, get a sharpie and mark your name on your ball.

ALSO, be prepared for the smell of the shin guards...

 

[3boymthr]

Thanks for all the great advice folks! Soccer certainly seems to be less expensive on the equipment front than say baseball (oigh, the cost for a bat and helmet, plus the cleats and pants and belt and equipment bag ).

Based on the chart at the store, we picked up a size 4 ball a couple of weeks ago so he could practice kicking in the driveway, so hopefully that will be the right size ball for the team.

We don't have to pay for the uniform, as per the form I filled out that was included. I'm not sure but I think that includes just the shirt as I did have to give a shirt size. Which is fine. I certainly don't mind picking up shorts and socks. Do the shorts usually have to be particular style? If not, we have several pairs of nylon sports shorts as those are his favorite just for hanging around.

 

[sam_gordon]

The nylon sports shorts are what we use. I think all the city teams here wear solid black shorts (we've never used a different color).

Tell your son to use the inside, outside, and top (laces) part of his shoe to kick... NOT the toe.

 

[Kae]

And don't forget a travel coffee cup for yourself for those morning games. And stuff cheap dryer sheets in the shoes & shin guards it helds.

Kae

 

[Crystal0608]

My ds is 8 and this is his third year of playing spring & fall soccer and LOVES playing. The shin guards that pull on as well as velcro work better that the ones that just velcro, my ds doesn't like those. He likes the Nike shoes best, I've bought Target ones but they run narrow. He has his jersey and socks furnished, but they don't arrive until right before the first game, so he has to have socks for practice. At first I bought the Umbro black soccer shorts, but all the other kids wear longer black shorts so I just send ds in those. I buy the black long sleeve moisture wicking (Champion?) shirts from Target to put under his jersey for cooler games. For cool practice days, I send him in a hoodie and athletic pants (play ones- lots of grass stains!). They furnish balls for practice, but ds brings his own to warm up early.

During soccer season, we keep the camp chairs in the trunk. Depending on the weather, I'd keep an umbrella and throw in the trunk. We always bring water for ds and a cooler in warmer weather. The team practices around 6-7pm when the shade is over the field and it gets cool, but a morning game can be very hot. DH wears bug spray, but they don't bother me. I always bring a change of shoes in the car b/c cleats plus wet grass equals mess! I also bring a change of clothes if its rainy. If not, we are only 5 mins away but I air out the shoes and cleats asap. We usually have sign ups for drinks and snacks, so if your team does that stock up during sales- I already have my capri suns ready . Have fun! I look forward to it every season.