Soccer also referred to as football world over, is a fascinating sport that offers a huge variety of physical and mental benefits for kids.
For younger football enthusiast, proper training and the right equipment play an important role in developing their capabilities, coordination, and typical performance on the field.
This article, aims to explore the essential soccer equipment for kids training, ensuring that they have all they need to excel in their soccer journey covering everything from physical fitness to necessary training clothing.
1. Soccer Balls:
A high-quality soccer ball is the foremost requirement for any training session. Look for balls specifically designed for kids, which are lightweight and appropriately sized according to the age group.
The ball should have a durable soft cover and good air retention properties, allowing consistent performance and control.
Depending on the brand, most soccer balls come with a hand pump for maintaining optimal air pressure and a mesh ball bag for storage.
Balls ship deflated therefore the pump is used to inflate the balls to the right pressure for kids to train without pressure problems.
Glow-in-the-dark soccer balls are now available in the market. As the name suggests, these glow in the dark. These are specially made for kids and they are used to make training fun.
The ball can be used for outdoor and indoor soccer. The ball is equipped with a set of lights from the inside that light up with a bounce or kick and automatically shuts off when not in use. They enable kids to train as the day moves into the night.
2. Cleats
Investing in proper youth soccer cleats can significantly enhance a child`s performance and prevent potential injuries.
Cleats provide stability and traction on various playing surfaces, allowing players to maneuver effectively and make quick turns.
Kids usually love colourful cleats that are fashionable. Just find out the kid’s favourite colour and get them. Cleats come from different brands so you might also need to know if kids want the brand that you are buying them.
Choose cleats that offer ankle support, have rubber or plastic studs, and fit snugly without causing discomfort.
3. Shin Guards
Safety should always be a priority, which is why shin guards are essential for every young player. Soccer is a game where there is a lot of kicking and running so there may be incidences of injuries.
These protective pads are worn underneath socks and help shield lower leg impacts, tackles, and stray kicks.
Look for lightweight shin guards, that offer excellent protection, and have comfortable padding provided by an extra foam with a soft cushion feel. They also must have double adjustable straps for a secure fit.
Most shin guards in the market are made of user-friendly synthetic material that does not allow heat and sweat to build up.
4. Training cones
Training cones provide an excellent way to develop agility, speed, and dribbling skills. They can be used to set up various drills such as weaving through a course or practicing quick footwork. These lightweight and brightly coloured cones are easily stackable and portable making them ideal for training sessions in various locations.
5. Training Bibs
When conducting team drills and scrimmages, training bibs are vital for distinguishing between teams. These mesh jerseys are available in different colors and allow for easy identification on the field, promoting teamwork and organization during practice matches.
6. Speed Ladders and Agility Hurdles
To improve speed, coordination, and agility, speed ladders and agility hurdles are fantastic training tools. Speed ladders enable players to develop quick footwork and enhance their coordination, while agility hurdles help improve agility and jumping ability. Both tools can be easily adjusted to suit kids of different ages and skill levels.
7. Training poles
Training poles, also known as agility poles are slalom poles used to set up obstacle courses or mark out boundaries during training drills. They help develop dribbling, pass accuracy, and spatial awareness. These lightweight poles are typically made of flexible material with pointed ends for easy insertion in the ground.
8) Kids Soccer Net
Kids soccer nets will give kids proper training especially scoring goals. They are easy to set up and they can be fitted in small areas such as back gardens or even indoors.
Besides goal scorers, Kids’ soccer nets can be used to train goalkeepers. Since this equipment comes in various sizes, just make sure that kids are supplied appropriate size for their age. The bigger the age, the bigger the size of the net.
It’s not possible to train kids goalkeepers without proper gloves for palm or hand protection.
Gloves are made from embossing latex foam which is non-slip and wearable that can offer more cushioning protection to your child’s palm. There is an additional mesh design that keeps the palms breathable and comfortable during playing.
Being made from high-quality composite materials of EVA and latex, it protects the child’s palm very well. In addition, a soft back provides more flexibility for catching the ball.
10) Skipping ropes and speed parachutes
Soccer is a highly physical game and therefore very important to give cardio training to the kids.
Skipping rope is a straightforward tool of just a rope with wooden or plastic handles that are used for skipping at different speeds.
A speed parachute works by filling up with air as speed is increased thereby creating resistance that drags the body. This makes a sprint harder therefore the runner has to put in more effort and strength.
Take away
Equipping young soccer players with the proper equipment is instrumental in honing their skills, ensuring their protection, and fostering a love for the sport. From football ball cleats, and shin guards to marker cones, bibs, speed ladders, agility hurdles, and training poles, these necessities will enhance children’s training experience and make contributions to their usual development.
Remember, a nurturing environment blended with the proper equipment will allow young players to liberate their genuine potential on the field.
If you need more information and clarification about the equipment needed for kids’ training, please leave a comment below and I will help you out.
Happy and safe training.
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