How to Buy Football Equipment

Intro
Playing football is all about getting in shape, learning the requirements of your position, working hard on the practice field and applying those lessons in a game. However, those requirements are not enough. Every player has to have dependable equipment that they don't have to worry about once the game begins.
Step 1
Find a helmet that has cushioning and protection and fits snugly. A new helmet is somewhat uncomfortable because it is supposed to fit snugly. The padding at the top is positioned for maximum protection for your skull and there is padding near the bottom to protect the vulnerable neck. The more you wear it, the more used to it you will get and the more comfortable it will be. Always buckle the chin strap so your opponent can't rip or knock off your helmet. Have an experienced player or coach check the fit to make sure it is not too loose or too tight.
Step 2
Shoulder pads are usually attached to an undershirt-type of garment to make them easier to put on. That was not always the case. Shoulder pads were slipped on over the top of a t-shirt or even bare skin and the player would have to lace them up and adjust them with each wearing. That is no longer the case. Shoulder pads are somewhat bulky, but they are smaller and more compact than they were even five years ago. They should fit on top of the shoulder and not slide around. If they do move, they are too big. If they pinch your shoulders and upper arms they are too small.
Step 3
Thigh pads are slipped inside sleeves in the uniform pants. This ensure that they are in the right spot providing adequate protection. Thigh pads provide an extra bit of padding on hard, head-on tackles. They are no more than a half-inch thick and they can't be any bigger or they would impede a player's ability to make quick moves and cuts.
Step 4
Proper football cleats may be the single-most important piece of equipment when it comes to playing effectively. Because games are played on grass, dirt and artificial turf, several different types of shoes are needed. Grass shoes generally have longer cleats that allow a player run securely and cut hard on a grass field. Wearing such shoes on an artificial turf field would be disastrous. Ripple-soled shoes are better and give a player more contact with the artificial turf. Depending on the condition of the grass field and the length of the grass, shorter or longer cleats can be easily removed and installed.
Tips
Make sure you bring an experienced coach or player with you before buying equipment for the first time. A helmet may feel a bit tight when you try it on, but the coach can tell whether it's properly snug or too tight by the way it sits on your head. The same goes for shoulder pads.