Keeping Equipment Safe From Theft: 6 Tips

Soccer is a fast-growing sport — over 850,000 players were enrolled at the high school level in the 2018/2019 season. It’s a prevalent sport in Europe and South America, but many American children have come to know and love soccer as well.

Like any sport, there’s plenty of equipment needed to run practices, warm-ups, and games. Whether it’s a set of orange cones for drills or soccer balls to shoot goals with, no coach or player wants to see their equipment damaged or stolen.

There are some ways to prevent your soccer equipment from getting stolen. It’s important to use these measures so you don’t need to spend more money to replace stolen equipment. Keep in mind that thieves will try to develop creative ways to steal your gear, but the goal is to make it challenging for them to get away with theft.

Let’s explore some tips for keeping your equipment safe and out of the hands of equipment thieves.

1. Purchase Lockboxes

You likely use a shared sports facility for practices and games. If you don’t have a dedicated field to use, it’s crucial to consider purchasing a lockable storage box to place your equipment in once that final whistle blows. Your gear should remain safe on the field, as no other team would have access to it.

There are different types of storage boxes, some that lock and some that do not. Be sure to purchase a lockable one, as this will make it harder for thieves to unlock and gain access to what you store in the box. Public fields should be locked from dusk to dawn anyway, so if someone trespasses and steals equipment, they could be charged.

2. Use Your Garage for Storage

If you’re a coach or a player, it will help if you had a garage at home so you can store your equipment there when there’s time off between games or practices. Keep in mind that garages can be targets for thieves, so it’s best to add ample lighting and change your garage door code frequently, and it should go without saying that you should keep it closed at all times.

It’s also a good idea to use your garage for storage so you can easily throw in your bag of soccer balls or any other equipment right into your car. If you’re in a rush, this will save you time and keep you from scrambling at the last minute before practices or games.

3. Use a Car for Storage

Minivans offer a lot of benefits to the average parent, and if you double as a parent and a soccer coach, this type of car can be a lifesaver. You’ll be able to store all of your equipment because there’s so much space in a minivan, and if you ever carpool to practice or games, there’s enough seating for all players.

Purchasing a new car is a big decision and should be made after researching and finding the best deal. If you already have a minivan, make sure it’s locked and unload the car to prevent anyone from breaking into it to steal your soccer equipment.

4. Choose One or More Players as Equipment Manager(s)

Professional teams across all sports use equipment managers and make them responsible for keeping track of any equipment. Get creative and make a rotating schedule, so each player on your team takes turns being equipment manager. This makes it fair and can encourage your players to understand how important it is to care for equipment.

Another way to designate one player as an equipment manager is to pull a name out of a hat. For a couple of weeks at a time, that player (or players) should be responsible for counting balls, putting equipment away, and ensuring nothing is left behind on the pitch when all is said and done.

5. Label All Equipment

Using a marker to label your soccer equipment will help you prevent thieves from getting their hands on it. When you mark your equipment, you’re letting other people know that it’s yours and they shouldn’t be using it without your permission.

It seems like common sense, but how else can you prove that equipment is yours without it being labeled properly? It will only take a couple of minutes to get all your gear labeled, so go ahead and get labeling!

6. Consider Using Security Cameras

Last but not least, consider installing high-tech security cameras around your home if you store equipment there or near the fields you play on. Security cameras act as deterrents to would-be thieves and offer another layer of protection for your equipment.

Additionally, if you catch them in the act of stealing equipment, you can call your local police station to report the crime. Having solid evidence that someone stole your equipment will help support your case.

Keep all of these tips in mind if you’re a coach or player who needs to protect your equipment.

Protect Your Soccer Equipment

Using the tips listed above will help you keep your equipment secure and out of the hands of thieves. While soccer equipment is not the hottest commodity, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Lockboxes, security cameras, and choosing a safe place to store your equipment are some of the ways you can keep your equipment safe from theft.