Soccer can be an incredibly physical sport, especially as a cardiovascular exercise, with the large amount of running involved. While it is fun and healthy, playing soccer at any level of competition -- from casual to professional -- requires certain supplies that serve to reduce and prevent injuries, as well as to make the game easier to administrate.
Basic Soccer Supplies
Typically, soccer balls are made of leather or another suitable material, and inflated to 8.5 to 15.6 lbs. per square inch. Sizes go from 3 to 5, with the smaller being more suitable for children and the larger generally used by adults.
The other fundamental element of soccer is to have some kind of goal posts for scoring. These can either be actual goals found in a park, trees or cones, or whatever you can find to demarcate a certain length for the goal line.
Soccer Supplies for Safety
If you're playing soccer with a number of people who are relatively advanced at the game, it's recommended to have some safety gear in order to prevent injuries. One of the most common pieces of equipment is the shin guard. It protects the shin when kicked by another player in a scuffle for the ball. One forceful kick to the shin can be extremely painful without any sort of protection.
Socks are typically worn on top of the shin guards, because the guard straps may become tangled with another player's shoelaces or some other object.
When playing on grass, it is recommended to wear nonmetal soccer cleats. These will give you more traction and reduce the amount of slipping when making sudden movements.
Additionally, you may wear a cushioned head-strap around the forehead. They are designed to lessen the amount of impact from the ball on a header; this is especially recommended for children, as their brains and bones are still developing.
Supplies for Running the Game Smoothly
Playing a pickup match or a more competitive form of soccer will require some additional supplies in order to prevent controversy on matters such as balls going out of bounds and taking corner kicks. Usually, goalposts, nets, spray-painted lines and corner flags will be in place at parks where youth league matches are played. Indoor recreational facilities will typically provide such supplies as well.
For competitive play, different-colored shirts will make it much easier to discern teammates and opponents. Goalkeepers should also wear alternate-colored jerseys to distinguish them from the rest of the players, as special rules apply to the position.
Summary
The supplies you'll need to play soccer depend on the number of people involved, the level of competitiveness and availability of a suitable location/field. The necessities can vary from just a ball to jerseys, shin guards, corner flags and referees.
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