Soccer is an international sport for all ages, accessible to children as young as kindergarten ranging to more professional play, such as college teams and paid players in major league soccer and professional world soccer. According to FIFA, five things are required when playing soccer: A shirt, stockings, shinguards, footwear and shorts.
Soccer Ball
A practice soccer ball is practical for at-home practice. When choosing a soccer ball be aware of the sizes appropriate to each age group. Soccer balls are sold in three sizes: 3, 4 and 5. Size 3 are the smallest balls at 23 to 24 inches, and used for children under the age of eight years old. Size 4 balls are the next size up at 25 to 26 inches and are designed for the eight to 12 year old player. Size 5 balls, the largest at 27 to 28 inches, are used for all ages over 15, including international standard match play.
Shin Guards and Soccer Socks
Shin guards and soccer socks are paired together to gain essential protection for your lower legs against kicks that may miss the ball, coming into contact with your shins. Shin guards work by deflecting or absorbing the impact of a kick, and must be worn during any soccer game -- many refs will not allow you to play without them. Soccer socks are long enough to be pulled up just below the knee in order to help hold the shin guards in place as well as provide additional protection to the legs.
Soccer Shoes
A soccer field provides a unique surface for running and stopping, and special cleats must be worn to provide traction as you navigate the field. Five types of soccer shoes are available to choose from depending on what type of field you will be playing on. Firm ground cleats are designed for firm natural surfaces, soft ground cleats for soft or wet surfaces, and hard ground cleats for harder surfaces such as artificial turf. Finally, indoor soccer shoes do not have cleats but are specifically designed to grip the surface of artificial indoor turf.
Other
Other pieces of miscellany that may prove helpful before starting soccer for the year include a water bottle to ensure proper hydration before, during and after the game, and a uniform which includes athletic support. Goalies may require additional equipment depending on the age playing, which could include gloves, knee pads and elbow pads.
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