As a parent, it may be difficult to understand exactly what equipment is needed for youth football but Football For Kids has got you covered. We will provide you with information on the essential equipment that is needed for them to begin playing the sport they love, football.
Along with the essential equipment we wanted to provide you with further ideas so that your child can practice at home or on the local field. It is always important for your child to continue to improve at the sport that they love to help them become better players and hopefully, enjoy a career out of it.
A great starter pack for youth football would include the following:
Table of Contents
Football
A football should be the first thing you think about when you think about what equipment is needed for youth football. Without a football, your child will be unable to play making this an essential part of the sport. In regards to which football you or your child chooses will depend on their age. This is because there are different sized footballs for different age range.
Our football of choice is the Mitre Delta Replica Football which is a replica of the match ball used in the EFL league. Therefore, you know you are getting a good quality football that will last your child a long time. There is nothing worse than having to continuously buy a new football, trust me.
There are many other choices around which will be down to personal preference but I have been using Mitre balls for years now. Never experiencing any issues and they are considered one of the best football manufacturers around. A great place to find them is on Amazon where you can receive next day delivery so your child can get playing right away.
Shin Pads
If your child is serious about getting into football and wants to start playing youth football for their local club. Then shin pads should be a priority on your list of things to get before they start playing. It is mandatory for players to wear shin pads due to the amount of protection they provide to the player’s shin.
With all players wearing football boots, without the shin pads can be very dangerous and cause broken bones and many injuries. Therefore, it is important to find ones that your child will like and find comfortable. The last thing you want is for your child to feel discomfort from their shin pads whilst they are playing in a match.
There are different types of shin pads around but ultimately, they all do the same job of protecting the player’s shins. However, you can get shin pads that come with ankle supports for additional protection which some may prefer. These shin pads take longer to put on as it requires you to take off your shoe and socks to take off.
When I was playing football competitively they only had those shin pads available but now a few years down the line. They have now created slip-in shin pads which are effective and easy to slip into your socks. These are usually the preferred choice by many, with many of the professional footballers using them today.
In my opinion, these are the greater choice as they are more convenient, less bulky and generally more comfortable to wear. This is because you don’t have to worry about that velcro strap around your leg which always gets very sweaty. Check them out below:
Football Boots
Your child will definitely require some sort of footwear to play football but this usually depends on the surfaces they play on. Typically it will be grass and in which case, they will need football boots.
The idea of football boots is to provide the correct footwear for the surface they play on to provide extra stability. For instance, it will prevent them from slipping and have a better grip on their feet to meet the expectations of the pitch.
These come in the form of:
- Soft Ground Boots
- Firm Ground Boots
- Artificial Grass Boots
- Hard Ground Football Boots
- Turf Football Boots
Check out our full football boot guide here.
Football Socks
Football socks will forever be essential in football as they are part of the kit. In most cases, if your child plays football for a local club then they are likely to be supplied with the socks. However, if they are just getting into the sport and playing for school or even training sessions where the kit is not required. Your child will be expected to provide their own football socks which help to keep your shin pads in place and hidden.
Football Goal
Having a football goal in your back garden is a great way for your child to practice their skills ready for their football matches. The more practice they put in the better their performances will be. It is also a great way to get them out of the house and for a parent to enjoy some peace and quiet for a few hours.
With the advancement of technology, it is always nice to get your child outside of the house and not having to force them. A great goal to get is the FORZA 6’ x 4’ as it is sturdy, easy to assemble and durable. So your child can play football as much as they like.
Sock Tape
Sock tape is an essential piece of equipment for youth football players as it helps to keep their socks up and shin pads in place. You will see the majority of professional football players using sock tape. There is nothing more frustrating than bending down and adjusting your shin pads and socks every two minutes.
Sock tape comes in a variety of different colours, ideally to match the colour of your child’s football kit. You will see in the professional leagues that they all have to wear matching coloured sock tape that blends with the kit.
There you have it, now you will no longer have to ask your child what equipment is needed for youth football as we all know it is always difficult asking your child these things. Nothing feels more satisfying than being a parent that is organised and ready for their match days.
