Your child may be excited about their first soccer practice, but do they have everything they need to take to the field? Start soccer season on the right foot by bringing the proper apparel, footwear, equipment, and other supplies to every practice and game.
When you join an i9 Sports®® youth soccer league, your child will receive an official i9 Sports® Soccer jersey. This is yours to keep, even when the season ends. Players should also wear black shorts or sweats that don’t have pockets or belt loops. Soccer socks are also a must to protect the player’s lower legs.
Bring an extra shirt, shorts, and pair of socks. These spare clothes may come in handy on rainy game days, giving your young athlete the option to change out of their wet clothes as soon as possible.
Outdoor soccer practices and games can be chilly, so it’s wise to have a long-sleeved shirt or rain jacket on hand. Cold-weather compression clothing is also important to allow your child to layer up when the temperature goes down.
The appropriate footwear for soccer players includes rubber cleats or sneakers. Cleats should only be worn on the soccer field. Sneakers or indoor soccer shoes should only be worn on indoor turf to prevent tracking in mud from outside. For these reasons, you should have your child wear a spare pair of shoes on the way to and from practice.
For safety, every soccer player must wear shin guards during play. In addition to the guards themselves, make sure you bring shin guard sleeves, tape, and straps. Keepers also need goalie gloves.
While i9 Sports® soccer leagues provide a soccer ball at practices and games, your child might want their own to improve their skills at home. Using an official i9 Sports® soccer ball ensures consistency between at-home drills and weekly practice. Just make sure you get the right size ball for your child’s age group.
Carry all your child’s soccer clothes and equipment in a soccer bag, which could be a duffle bag, backpack, or something similar. Having a dedicated place to store soccer gear decreases the chance of forgetting something.
Useful items to keep in your child’s soccer bag include:
i9 Sports®® offers a one-day-a-week youth soccer league that helps your child master the soccer fundamentals, build on the skills they already know, and become a better athlete. Our programs stand out from other soccer leagues because we focus on safety, good sportsmanship, and convenience for busy families. Whether your child has been playing for years or is brand-new to the game, odds are you can find an i9 Sports® team in your area that meets your family’s needs.
To learn more, please browse our programs or contact an i9 Sports® office near you today.