WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO GET READY FOR A NEW SOCCER SEASON?

As parents know, children can often grow often without our noticing, until we try to fit them into last year’s clothes and shoes in an attempt to avoid buying another round of soccer uniforms and gear. Unfortunately, most kids sprout like beans in twelve-month spans, and new equipment is often necessary for your soccer player in the upcoming season.

As the season approaches, a good idea is to go through your child’s existing equipment and first see what needs to be replaced.  

SHOES - If his or her cleats still fit comfortably (your child should be able to wiggle his toes at the bottom of the shoe), and they are in good shape, you may be able to pull off another full season in the same cleats. Be sure that the cleats themselves are not worn down (cleats typically range from 1/3 to 3/4 of an inch), the lining and seams are still ‘fastened,’ and that the laces are not frayed.

SOCKS - Your child may already have team-issued socks or may be using his or her socks from last season. For practice, knee-length soccer socks are a good idea to use over the shinguard. Your child may also like to wear ankle-length socks as a first layer under the shinguard. Two to three pairs are probably sufficient for a week or two weeks of practice. Make sure your child’s shinguards are in good shape, including Velcro fastenings, elastic bands around the ankle, etc. If your child experienced a lot of shin injury in previous seasons or his legs have grown, you may need a tougher or new pair of shinguards.

SHINGUARDS - There are many brands and types of shinguards. First, make sure the shinguard is big enough to cover your child's entire shin. Some shinguards just strap on; others have stirrups that go under the feet to keep the shinguard on. Similarly, some shinguards have padding that protects the back of the foot (the Achilles tendon) and the ankles. For young children, or others who find the stirrup particularly uncomfortable, NIKE and a few other vendors also sell a shinguard/sock, in which the shinguard is actually sewn into the sock, so rather than put the stirrup under the foot, the player wears a thin sock (that includes a shinguard) under the colored soccer sock. To avoid stirrups, other manufacturers have devised other ways to attach the shinguard to the leg. Whatever you choose – you must try to make sure that to the extent the shinguard can move, that it remains in the proper position, protecting the young player’s shin from injury.

UNIFORM - Most teams issue shorts and shirts as part of the team uniform. If you need shorts, check with your child’s coach regarding color and length. Most sports stores and even retail stores will have soccer-style shorts in all youth sizes. Your child will also need clothes to wear at practice, which could include: shorts (2-3 pairs), t-shirts or tank tops, sweatpants and sweatshirt for cooler days, thin playing gloves, a hat, long-sleeved shirts, sportsbras and hair ties (for girls) headbands, wrist bands, and a watch.

BAG & CONTENTS - Depending on your child’s level and interest in soccer, you may have already invested in a soccer carrying bag (resembling a duffel bag—many select teams issue these at specified costs to their players), a shoe bag for his or her cleats, and flops (after-game sandals). Other important items to have are: a soccer ball of correct size for your child’s playing level (check with your coach), a water bottle and a small cooler, and a chair (for you!).

Most of the items described above can be found at any sporting goods store.

 

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