Getting the Right Gear for Your Team: 5 Points to Remember

Soccer is one of the world’s most beloved sports, and more American teenagers are playing the sport now than ever before. Within the 2018-2019 season, 850,000 kids participated in the sport across the country.

As many teams prepare for the winter season, it’s essential to update your players’ gear. Here’s how to pick the best equipment to support your team and help them succeed.

1. Not All Soccer Balls Are the Same

You can’t have a soccer game without a ball. More specifically, you can’t train, sharpen your skills and win tournaments without a properly sized soccer ball. Each league and age group uses balls with different circumferences, so it’s best to do your research before purchasing one for your team. Typically, you’ll choose between four sizes ranging from 18 to 28 inches in circumference.

Once you determine the appropriately sized ball for your needs, you can investigate various options in that range. If your team plays more indoor games, you may need a more durable training ball meant for the indoors and designed to minimize rebound. Alternatively, if the team will compete outdoors, you can forego turf balls and opt for a more responsive ball that rolls well on grass.

2. Clean Cleats Are Best

Soccer cleats allow players to grip the turf, turn on a dime and pick up the pace during games. Plus, the best ones will offer support and protection on the field. Consequently, quality cleats are crucial equipment when it comes to playing well. For natural grass and outdoor fields, choose a firm ground cleat to provide traction and stability. Alternatively, soft ground that’s often wet or muddy will call for cleats with longer studs.

Regardless of which kinds of cleats you purchase for your team, keeping them clean is the best way to ensure they perform well and avoid injuries. Use a popsicle stick to help players clean mud off their cleats during games and after practice. Encourage them to wipe off the uppers and insoles as well to maintain peak performance all season long.

3. Safety Equipment Is a Must

Half of all sports injuries occur in the lower extremities, with 15% of them involving ankle ligament sprains. In soccer, the risk of sustaining a leg or ankle injury is quite high, considering how much players run and weave during practice and games.

Minimize the risk of injury by advising players to wear shin guards. This protective gear comes in four different sizes and will rely on Velcro straps or soccer socks to keep them in place. Consider ones with ankle guards to better protect the most injury-prone part of players’ legs. These may be uncomfortable for some players, so be sure to let the team try on a few different brands to ensure their legs still get a full, comfortable range of motion.

4. Extra Training Gear May Help

If you coach high school soccer, you may be able to get away with little training equipment. By that age, most kids know how to pass a ball and get it in the net, so you may only need some cones and a speed ladder to improve agility.

On the other hand, young players might need some extra training gear to learn soccer’s fundamental movements and skills. For example, you might purchase training balls with cords that connect the soccer ball to players’ bodies to help them practice ball-handling skills. Additionally, you can train your younger players to keep their eyes on their opponents with a heads up trainer and other similar equipment.

5. Ill-Fitting Uniform Won’t Fly

Most youth leagues require a standard uniform that consists of shorts and a T-shirt or long-sleeved jersey. However, some might also include matching socks and crewnecks to keep the team warm during the colder months.

Regardless of what color your team wears, you must make sure that each player’s uniform fits correctly. Otherwise, their clothes may hinder their performance. For instance, all players must wear shorts with a hem above the knee to allow for full range of motion. To keep their muscles warm and loose, they may wear compression shorts or pants underneath these shorts during chillier games.

Investing In Success

Of course, quality gear isn’t cheap. However, if you want your team to perform at the highest possible level and win tournaments, you must invest in a few pieces of decent equipment. Whether it be new training cones or brand-name cleats, finding gear that will help your team succeed should be your top priority as a coach.

Author Bio:

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.