It's soccer season and Kidzworld's got your checklist of everything you're going to need on the field this year!
Cleats
Whether you're in
rec leagues or on the school team, you must have a pair of good
cleats. It is pretty hard to be out on the field scoring goals if your feet hurt or you are
sliding all over the place. When you are buying a new or used soccer cleat, you want to look for
three things: traction, comfort and breathability.
Traction - This is very important, because the grass or turf can get super slippery when it rains. You won't be able to maneuver around how you like and that will definitely affect your performance. Make sure you ask the store's employees to find you a good molded cleat. These shoes are made with molded plastic that can be used in different types of soccer fields and weather conditions. Cleats range from $40 - $200 US. Some of the more trusted brands in soccer cleats are Adidas, Diadora, Nike, Umbro and Lotto. If you buy used, make sure the plastic on the cleats is still strong and not worn out.
Comfort - Everybody has different feet size, so not every cleat is going to fit everyone well. That is why it is important to have a store employee recommend a pair of shoes for foot type. Also test out the shoe a little bit and make sure you are comfortable and it doesn't hurt. Wearing the wrong type of shoe can also increase the chance of injuries.
Breathability - Not letting your feet get some air is bad news. For one, you're feet will stink. Second of all, you could grow fungal infections. Plus you don't want to have soaking wet feet from all the sweat. Don't sacrifice quality by buying a cheaper shoe that doesn't have good breathability. Trust us, your feet will thank you for giving them some air.
Shin Guards
Just like a helmet in
football, shin guards are a must when you play soccer. With everybody kicking for the ball, it's not out of the ordinary to get a nice shot to the shins - and trust us,
it's painful! Just like cleats, make sure you get
shin guards that fit you well and are
comfortable. The kind of shin guard you need depends on what position you play. For example, you need a thicker shin guard if you are a
defender[/KWLINK], while forwards have lighter ones with ankle support. The price of shin guards range between less than $10 US, all the way to $140 US. Some of the popular brands for shin guards include Diadora,
Brine and Puma. We don't recommend buying
used shoes, but with shin guards it's a good idea to buy second hand.
Bags
While you may not use it on the field, a big sports bag is a
necessity for soccer players. You need something that's going to hold your shoes, shin guards, uniform, socks, warm-ups,
water bottle, snacks, hair elastics and
ball. That's a lot of stuff, so make sure the bag you get is big enough to fit all these things. Bags range
from $15 US all the way to $70 US. Typically you will find
great bags made by Nike, Adidas and
Puma.
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