Youth soccer gear does more than make these young athletes look sharp — it is an essential part of letting them play safely and with optimal performance. From the youngest players to elite-level professionals, the right soccer gear is crucial to improving their abilities on the pitch and reducing the risk of injuries.

Families facing financial challenges for purchasing the best gear can check into Northeast Rush scholarships to help their young players participate in Rush soccer programs. The Rush Scholarship program is designed to assist in several areas of need, including providing funds to pay for uniforms and training gear.

Players, friends, and families can also support their team by sporting Rush Spirit Wear, which is available for each of the Rush clubs. Spirit wear includes hoodies, tees, jackets, scarves, sweatpants, and wristbands, plus accessories such as stickers, water bottles, coffee mugs, towels, and flags.

Recommended Soccer Gear for Safety and Performance

Recommended soccer gear for youth players is designed to ensure their safety and improve their performance, both by enhancing their play and not interfering with safe movement. According to U.S. Youth Soccer, U6-U12 players use modified equipment while playing on smaller fields than those used by teens and adults. These age-appropriate rules help make it safer and more enjoyable for young athletes to learn and play soccer.

FIFA Law 4 (Player Equipment) specifies the required youth soccer equipment for the U6-U8 age groups. U10-U19 players generally follow the FIFA Laws of the Game relating to equipment. The FIFA rules are followed more frequently as players grow and advance in their age groups. As a result, it’s wise for families to become familiar with these rules.

The recommended gear in this guide has a history of positive reviews by professionals and families. Items are made with safety and quality in mind. Keep in mind that these recommended pieces of gear are just a sample of products that are available.

New gear is continually brought to market, and every high-quality piece of gear cannot be identified separately. It’s important for families to evaluate the quality and safety of gear for youth soccer players by reading customer reviews, checking with their coaches and leagues, consulting pros at sporting goods stores, and being aware of any recalls and guidelines issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Soccer Cleats

Soccer players wear cleats to prevent slipping and injuries, such as sprains and twisted ankles and knees. Getting a secure grip on the grass pitch allows players to run, stop, pivot, plant their feet, and shoot safely and confidently.

According to FIFA Law 4, cleats are recommended but not required for players in the U6-U8 group. Players in any age group may not wear baseball cleats with metal spikes or a toe cleat. The best cleats (sometimes called boots) for youth players are tailored for the kind of surface they will play on, such as:

• Firm ground: These cleats have molded studs that provide good traction on grass.

• Soft ground: These cleats have customized screw-in studs that provide safe traction in wet and muddy conditions.

• Artificial surface: These cleats have small rubber studs that provide traction but don’t dig excessively into the artificial surface.

It’s important for parents to have their children’s feet measured at a sporting goods store to ensure that the cleats fit correctly and to adjust for anticipated growth. It’s not advisable to buy too-large cleats, thinking a child will grow into them, as that can be a safety hazard and cause blisters and other injuries.

The pros at the store can also show your player how to lace and secure their boots correctly and safely. Having loose laces and ends can be a tripping hazard on the field. If your young athlete plays a certain position, mention that to the store’s pro to ensure the cleats are compatible with their position’s playing requirements.

Soccer cleats can be made of leather or synthetic leather. Natural leather tends to absorb water more than synthetic leather, making it heavier in wet conditions. Synthetic leather cleats tend to be lighter, more durable, and more affordable than natural leather cleats.

Other factors to consider include good ankle support, cushioning, and padding, particularly in the blister-prone heel area. Players should take some time to wear their new cleats on the grass (not concrete) to break them in without wearing the molded studs down.

When choosing cleats, it’s crucial to select a reputable brand that offers high-quality cleats. Top brands include the following:

• Adidas

• Diadora

• Lotto

• Mizuno

• New Balance

• Nike

• Puma

• Umbro

• Under Armour

These brands also offer a variety of cleats that fit your child’s skill level and style of play, as well as designs and styles that appeal to young players.

While price is often a factor in buying cleats, their quality, durability, and comfort are the most important considerations. Sporting goods stores and soccer-specific retailers often have sales that can make it easier to afford a quality boot that will protect your child’s feet throughout the season.

Soccer Ball

FIFA Law 2 addresses soccer ball requirements, particularly its size and weight. All soccer balls for kids must meet FIFA quality standards. An age-appropriate ball size encourages proper kicking and ball-handling skills, accounting for each player’s size, kicking strength, receiving ability, and bone and muscle development.

• U6-U8: Size 3 soccer balls measure 23-24 inches in diameter and weigh 320-340 grams.

• U10-U12: Size 4 soccer balls are 25-26 inches in diameter and weigh 350-390 grams.

• U14-U19: Size 5 regulation soccer balls measure 27-28 inches in diameter and weigh 410-450 grams.

The best soccer balls are made with quality materials and feature secure, smooth stitching, which allows players to kick and receive the ball safely, reliably, and comfortably.

The best soccer balls for youth players are made by well-regarded brands, such as the following:

• Adidas

• Franklin

• Lotto

• Nike

• Puma

• Select

• Umbro

Of course, soccer balls are available in a multitude of designs, from vibrant colors and patterns to simple solid colors and patterns for a low-key style. Families can find good deals on soccer balls during seasonal sales at sporting goods and soccer-specific stores, as well as reputable second-hand sporting goods outlets.

Shin Guards and Socks

Shin guards and socks are key to protecting players’ lower legs. FIFA’s Law 4 requires players in the U6-U8 age group to wear shin guards under their socks. Players in the U10 group and up must follow FIFA rules regarding shin guard use.

It’s important that players do not wear their shin guards over their socks—this can cause a hazard if another player’s foot gets caught in the shin guard. Also, this would interfere with the maximum protection that shin guards are designed to provide.

The size of the shin guard is a key factor in safety and comfort. They should not be so long that they interfere with the ankle and knee range of motion. Likewise, they should not be too short, which leaves the player’s lower leg partially exposed to injury. Shin guards also come in a variety of widths, so select a shin guard that isn’t too wide or too narrow for your child’s leg.

Some brands tend to run small or large. The player should try them on in a soccer retail or sporting goods store to guarantee a comfortable, secure, and safe fit. Players are encouraged to move around while wearing the shin guard to see whether they stay put or shift under their socks.

There are three basic types of shin guards:

• Slip-in shin guards: These are the lightest shin guards, and some are secured to the calf with Velcro straps at the top and bottom of the guard. They can also be secured within a guard sleeve or worn inside the sock; they can also be secured with tape inside the sock. These styles don’t offer the highest level of protection and are not the best choice for younger players. They are a good option for midfielders, who take some hits but also need flexibility as they move up and down the field. Forwards can also benefit from these lightweight guards, as they need maximum flexibility as they pivot, sprint, and attack. Goalies often prefer these guards, as they don’t need as much leg protection as the field players.

• Ankle-protection shin guards: These styles provide additional padding at the ankle. This makes them a great option for younger players and for defenders, who tend to take the most contact. Older players may find these types of shin guards to be overly constricting.

• Shin socks: These guards are socks with additional protective armor on the front. They are easy to put on and comfortable to wear, as the player doesn’t need to use tape or sleeves to secure the shin guards. Forwards and goalies can benefit from these lightweight guards, as they provide good flexibility and maneuverability.

Weather is an important factor in selecting a shin guard, and lightweight guards that allow ventilation can be appealing for warm-weather games.

The following brands offer good, reliable options when buying shin guards and socks:

• Adidas

• Franklin

• G-Form

• Malker

• Mitre

• Nike

• Puma

• Storelli

• Vizari

These brands typically offer a range of shin guards, from budget-friendly versions to technically advanced versions at a higher price. If you have a new player who’s still trying out the game, aim for the best-quality shin guard in your price range. A cheap guard that doesn’t provide adequate protection just isn’t worth the savings — avoidable injuries could discourage your child from continuing to play soccer.

Players should wear soccer-specific socks that have sufficient protective padding and some compression. They have enough elastic strength at the top to stay up and enough room to cover the shin guard. Soccer socks wick sweat from a player’s skin to ensure they don’t overheat and stay comfortable.

Youth teams frequently supply socks with the uniform kit that is provided to each player. Players can also purchase extra socks for practice.

Goalkeeper Gloves

Gloves are a crucial part of the goalkeeper’s kit. When defending the goal during an offensive attack, the keeper can face ball speeds sufficient to jam a finger or injure their face and body if the ball isn’t caught.

Soccer-specific gloves help the goalkeeper control and secure the kicked ball against the body. Gloves also help the keeper catch and protect the ball on wet grass. Playing on artificial turf, which has sharper blades than natural grass, requires more heavily reinforced gloves.

When purchasing goalie gloves, it’s crucial to be sure they fit the player’s hands. Keep in mind that kids can grow out of gloves during a season. As with other soccer gear, trying gloves on in the store ensures they fit well, protect the hands, and don’t inhibit performance.

Young goalies should be able to feel the ball easily, without having excessive room at the fingertips. Too-small gloves that compress the hands will cause discomfort and make it difficult to play in goal.

Some reliable glove brands for young players include:

• Adidas

• Brava

• Elite

• Nike

• Puma

• Reusch

• Storelli

• Uhlsport

• Umbro

Goalie gloves are subjected to hard work and may only last for about 12-15 games, depending on how well they are cared for between games. You will know it’s time to replace them when:

• The latex starts to peel and flake, especially on the palms, compromising the goalie’s grip.

• The padding on the palm and backhand thins and wears out, leaving the goalie vulnerable to bruising and pain.

• Worn-out Velcro and cracked, loosened elastic reduce the security of the wrist straps, which can lead to losing a glove mid-play.

• Damage to the protective, stabilizing finger spines leave fingers vulnerable to injury.

It’s a good idea to have two pairs of goalie gloves and alternate them to extend their life throughout the season, especially in wet conditions. Rotating goalie gloves also ensures that the player doesn’t need to break in a new pair of gloves mid-season. Some goalies like to use one pair for practice and another for games.

Goalies should clean their gloves according to the care instructions and then completely air dry the gloves in a cool place that is out of the sun after each practice and game. (Never use a hair dryer!) This keeps the material supple and reliable and prevents waterlogged gloves from becoming stiff, moldy, and smelly.

Soccer-Specific Apparel and Uniforms

Youth soccer players should always wear soccer-specific uniforms and gear, even if it seems like money could be saved by using other gear they already have. Soccer is an exciting, active game that also carries the risk of injury, and soccer-specific gear is designed to protect players during play.

League rules, from FIFA to U.S. Soccer to Northeast Rush, require the use of soccer gear that meets their safety and league standards. Coaches will also require players to change out of non-soccer-specific gear for practices and games.

Conclusion

Rush Soccer’s holistic approach to player development ensures that every participant receives top-tier training, resources, and support, enabling them to reach their full potential on and off the field. By prioritizing community, respect, and education, Rush Soccer not only builds exceptional athletes but also well-rounded individuals. Ready to elevate your soccer journey? Join Rush Soccer today and become part of a dynamic and supportive community dedicated to excellence.