Youth soccer equipment checklist

The basics every player needs

Soccer is one of the more affordable sports to start, but a few items matter for comfort and safety. Your team or league may supply some items, such as a jersey, so check before you buy. This checklist covers what most beginners need.

• Cleats or athletic shoes. Many leagues require cleats suitable for the surface, but some younger divisions allow regular athletic shoes. Ask your coach.
• Shin guards. These are required in most organized soccer. Players must wear them during games, and many coaches require them at practice too.
• Soccer socks that pull up over the shin guards.
• Shorts and a jersey in your team's colors.
• A water bottle with your child's name on it.
• A ball for practicing at home. Ask your coach which size your child should use, because ball size is matched to age and varies by league.

Choosing and fitting shin guards

Shin guards protect the front of the lower leg from kicks and stray cleats. A good fit matters more than any feature.

• They should cover most of the area between the ankle and just below the knee.
• They should stay in place without being so tight that they pinch or cut off circulation.
• Some styles use a built-in ankle sleeve and others slip into a sleeve or are held in place with the sock. Pick what your child can put on easily without help.
• Check the fit again after growth spurts, since children outgrow shin guards faster than you might expect.

Cleats: what to look for

1. Surface. Cleats are made for different surfaces, such as natural grass or artificial turf. Ask your league what your child will play on, and choose accordingly.
2. Fit. Have your child try them on with the socks they will wear. There should be a little room at the toe, and the heel should not slip.
3. Comfort. Walk and jog around in the store. Cleats that rub can cause blisters.
4. Condition. Check the studs for wear and the shoe for cracks or loose soles at the start of each season.

Avoid buying shoes several sizes too big for your child to grow into. Loose shoes are uncomfortable and can affect how a child runs and kicks.

Extra gear for goalkeepers

Goalkeepers wear a jersey in a different color from everyone else on the field. Many also wear goalkeeper gloves, and some choose padded shirts or pants for diving on hard ground. Gloves are not always required, and the right choice depends on your league and your child's comfort. Ask the coach before buying anything specialized, and see soccer positions explained to understand the role.

Helpful extras

• A bag to carry everything, so nothing gets left behind.
• Sunscreen and a hat for the sidelines, and layers for cool or wet weather.
• A mouthguard, if your coach or doctor recommends one. Some players choose to wear one.
• Prescription sports glasses or a secure strap, if your child wears glasses. Ask your eye doctor what is best for sports.
• A folding chair and a snack for family members who stay to watch.

Safety notes before game day

• Remove jewelry, including earrings, before play. The Laws of the Game and most leagues require this.
• Check that goals on the field are anchored. Never allow children to hang or climb on the crossbar.
• Check the field for holes, wet spots or debris, and tell the coach if you see something unsafe.
• Label everything with your child's name. Identical shin guards and water bottles get mixed up fast.

Rules on required gear differ by league, so always read your league's list first. When you are ready for the season ahead, read how to prepare for soccer season, and find more at the soccer hub.