How to Buy Youth Soccer Turf and Indoor Shoes

When players compete on surfaces other than grass, they often wear special soccer shoes. It's best to purchase these shoes to ensure the safest and most efficient play.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Research the choices. There are many types and styles of turf and indoor soccer shoes, with widely varying prices.

2. Buy the proper size. As with all sports shoes, too small will mean children will outgrow them; too big can mean a risk of blisters or injury. As a rule of thumb, there should be no more than a thumb's-width of space between the toes and the front of the shoes.

3. Try shoes on with shin guards and soccer socks.

4. Break shoes in during practice before using them for competition.

5. Understand when to use which shoes. Multistudded turf shoes are used on very hard ground (including some hard grass fields) or artificial turf. This is because standard soccer cleats do not provide enough traction.

6. Change shoes when playing indoors. Indoor play is best done in shoes that feature a flat outsole (the undersurface of the shoe) and rubber bottom for better traction on wooden floors.

7. Buy indoor shoes if you're just buying one pair. Indoor shoes can be worn on either artificial turf or hardwood floors.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop about two months before the start of the soccer season, when stores are well-stocked with the best merchandise.
• Buy from a sports specialty store with knowledgeable salespeople.
• Go for shoes for either gender. Turf or indoor shoes for young children are made for both boys and girls. Older girls may prefer the female versions of these shoes.
• Bring in old soccer shoes, cleats or sneakers for comparison.
• Save your money. Young children or beginning players do not need the most expensive versions of these shoes.
• Hunt for bargains in mail-order catalogs or at soccer tournaments, especially if you know the style and size you want.
• Use the proper sneakers. Many children, especially beginners, wear sneakers on other surfaces since they don't frequently play on them. If you choose this option, use sneakers that comply with your needs.
• Choose stable sneakers (as opposed to those built high off the ground). The foot should stay as close to the ground as possible, and the shoe should be built for lateral movement.
• Consider cross-training shoes. If you choose to use sneakers to play soccer on indoor surfaces, these are best. Running or basketball shoes are not recommended.

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