How to Properly Gear Yourself for Soccer

Compared to other team sports, soccer is pretty light on gear. However, there is required equipment for playing the sport in an organized capacity, such as cleats, shin guards and socks. Learn to properly equip yourself for the game.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Money

Gear Your Feet and Shins Properly

1. Buy soccer cleats. Find these at any local sporting goods store. Just remember that you want soccer cleats and not another kind of shoe. Cleats for other sports like baseball or football are much different and are not interchangeable.
2. Purchase shin guards. Shin guards are protective gear that wrap around your shins in case a loose kick catches you in the leg. These are not required for casual play, but they are highly recommended and required for organized leagues.
3. Buy long, soccer socks. When you put on these socks, you will pull them all the way up, attach your shin guards, then pull down the ends of your socks to cover your shin guards. This is the most comfortable and professional-looking way to wear them.

Dress Yourself in a Soccer Uniform Properly

4. Confer with your team, if you have one. The team might be supplying part or all of the uniform that you need. The uniform will consist of three parts: the jersey, the shorts and the socks. Expect to buy the socks on your own.
5. Go to a sporting goods store and find the soccer section. There will be soccer jerseys and shorts there. Even if your team supplies you with a game uniform, you will need practice gear. Buying soccer uniforms is much like buying any normal clothes. The sizes work the same.
6. Use a t-shirt and gym shorts if you do not have any soccer uniforms. For practice, these will be enough.

Equip Yourself Properly with Game Necessities

7. Buy a soccer ball. Players will be expected to have their own soccer balls at practice. Confer with the team to see what the regulation size ball is for the kind of soccer they play. Try to buy a soccer ball the same size.
8. Buy a soccer or gym bag. You will need something to carry your cleats, ball and spare clothes in to prevent them from getting damaged.

Tips & Warnings

• Always tuck in your shirt when playing soccer to look more sportsmanlike.
• Consider buying some plastic cones. They are cheap and come in handy when you want to practice some soccer skills.

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