Shopping Guide for Best Soccer Stuff

Ever since we created and started giving away free soccer drills and coaching guides we’ve been asked by readers which products we recommend for young soccer players. Clearly the bulk of the requests that come our way are for our favorite soccer balls and soccer cleats for kids and beginners, but we also get asked about other products too.

We initially focused on creating the ultimate essentials list. This is all the soccer gear we thought young players and parents needed. While it wasn’t exhaustive a list it did very well in terms of the feedback we got from parents. That led to even more requests for the best soccer cleats, the best soccer accesories, best soccer uniforms and so on. That’s when we decided to create this page. We even found amazing soccer books, YouTube channels and DVDs that are great for players and for new coaches trying to learn about soccer history, tactics, strategy or just new tools for training.

Our team of editors scoured the internet, spoke to parents and consulted with coaches to find the best soccer gear. We then categorized products, read online reviews, rated them and ranked them in our fancy spreadsheet. Finally, we chose the best products for each category and wrote this piece. Six weeks later we’re feeling good about our recommended soccer products. We only shared what we thought were the best of the best.

We hope you can utilize our tools below to narrow down your search for great soccer gear. We focused on young players up to around youth level in order to keep things manageable. We also found that by that teenage years players know what they want so making recommendations wasn’t super helpful to parents. (They know everything already) 🙂

Remember as always that we may make a commission if you click on our recommendations and buy. We want to make sure you know that and we appreciate the support.

Soccer Bag Must Have

If you’ve ever been at a game or practice and forgot something important, then you are probably the worst the parent ever….JUST KIDDING!! (You might feel like it at that moment.) I have forgotten my daughter’s recital outfit on the day of dress rehearsal once…not my finest moment!! We all leave the house in a hurry and 9 times out of 10 times forget something. Most of the time it is a non-essential item but every now and then it’s something like SHOES or a recital costume!!

Our little secret for being prepared without having to remember every little thing that you need is…a sports survival bag. The best “practice” for any sports season is to set up a bag that has everything you will or might need for the season. It should be a bag that you can just grab and go without having to pack every time.

Clearly you need a soccer ball. Most teams require players to bring their own balls; they are used for lots of drills in practice, and your athlete will likely want to practice at home as well. Aside from the ball, shin guards are the next most important piece of equipment for soccer. All teams require players to have them. We found shin guards that are high-quality, comfortable, and come in a variety of sizes.

Next we get super practical by recommending a water ball. Yes, your athlete will need lots of water, so most teams require that families provide a water bottle for practices and games. We chose a large capacity, unbreakable bottle they can use for years.

Next we get into the fun and cool stuff. Basically we want you to pack things that let you create your own field and drills plus help your young one with their practise. Practice cones serve lots of purposes, from marking out a playing field in your backyard to providing a path for dribbling or passing drills. Cones can be used to set up makeshift goals, divide up playing areas, and more. Then there is one of the best ways to practice soccer skills on your own is with a rebounder. These devices are nets with a bit of tension to provide spring. Throw or kick the ball into them, and it will bounce back at various speeds and angles, allowing the player opportunities to simulate game play conditions.

While there are loads of other things you will need (don’t worry, we cover those in detail further below), this is our core list of must have soccer essentials.

 

Best Soccer Gear

Pick up shin guards, soccer socks and jerseys, and prep the pitch with soccer nets and field equipment from the top brands in the industry.

Our team of editors scoured the internet, spoke to parents and consulted with coaches to find the best soccer gear. We then categorized them and rated them, only sharing what we thought were the best of the best for you to look at.

We started out by finding the best soccer balls and soccer ball pumps for players and coaches of all ages, abilities and styles of play. From the perfect ball to help you nail the sweet spot every time to the classic Wilson soccer ball and a handy pump you can throw in your bag so you’re always ready, we’ve got you covered.

When it comes to soccer cleats we had to use some help from parents and coaches. Cleats change a lot every year so recent advice from those who live with these choices made sense. In order to be a successful soccer player, you must have the right cleats.

Technically, good cleats should feel comfortable and have an anti-slip traction. You need to choose between high-speed, tackling or control. Clearly we are focused on juniors and kids so we looked at the big-name athletic brands like Nike to Adidas who cater to kids more than smaller brands. Many of them mini takedowns of popular adult models so its not a bad idea to took at awesome adult boots and see if they’re made for children.

It isn’t just shoes and shin guards because we looked at training tools and equipment as well as bags and other accessories most people don’t think about. You need a sturdy backpack for your child to be able to carry their own stuff when at practice. What about two kids or an excessive amount of stuff? Cue the all conquering sports duffle bag that fits everything.

It is one thing to show up to a field or run to the backyard to start to practice, it is another to train and get better. We found a number of cool training aids to help kids train on their own. Something as simple as cones let you set up drills. Advanced on and a tool like the Star-Kick gives young players the touches they need to master ball control. Want more, how about a return net that mimics ball return and really amps up training.

Soccer Balls / Pumps

When you’re shopping for a soccer ball you should look for a ball with a nice touch. Consistency is important so you can perfect every pass and shot. Balls that maintain consistent air pressure make for responsive handling all the time as well as easier control of the ball. We also focused on balls we found has consistent flight and high durability.

Don’t forget to check out some of these other popular soccer balls our readers rave about (the second row below). All of these are great balls so its more a matter of preference than anything else. Whether you need a new soccer ball for daily drills, practice or competitive play you will find something awesome below. We chose only high-quality balls that are machine stitched with a synthetic build for rugged durability and a soft touch.

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Best Soccer Bags

Any parent who has dropped children off at soccer practice and games will tell you that many parks don’t allow cars near the fields. Your athlete and his or her admiring fans are likely to need to walk to get to the play area. That’s why a backpack makes our list of best soccer bags. Make your child’s life a bit easier with this great pack to carry soccer gear.

If you are tired of carrying too many bags for your team or losing your balls a great quality mesh soccer ball bag is a lifesaver. Find one constructed of high quality mesh (watch out for cheap crap quality ones as they break easily) and that has an easy to grab handle (poor quality ones have a simple string that’s annoying to carry). Finally, there is the universally practical duffel bag for throwing all your kids crap into.

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Cones / Flags / Marking

We’ve chosen the best selection of soccer cones, soccer flags and other field equipment for training players of all ages and abilities. With these choices you will quickly be able to get your training drills or get a field ready for a competitive game.

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Goals / Rebound / Training

Training has advanced a lot since I was a kid. Today, you can buy innovative training equipment like the hands free solo trainer designed to help youngsters develop passing and shooting skills on their own. Practice nets weren’t a thing when I was growing up and now you can simulate multiple rebounds through creative tension solutions that vary spring rate. Add to that the fact that today you can buy a foldable full size portable goal that you can pack into your car and boy have things changed.

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Seats / Benches / Shelters

Find the perfect soccer team benches that are an ideal solution for temporary small group seating. The pop-up style bench seats can be transported easily from field to field making it the perfect seat for teams and spectators.

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Uniforms / Scrimmage Bibs

Buy all the Kids Soccer Uniforms your team needs. We recommend the best selection of Team Soccer Uniforms for youth teams and clubs. We found some great options that offer a variety of styles, colors and sizes of soccer bibs and soccer scrimmage vests.

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Soccer Boots & Cleats

When buying boots for kids, first find out what type of surface they will be playing on – soft ground (SG), firm ground (FG) or turf, as each one requires a different kind of stud and boot (although we did find boots that are great on all three). Next, think about whether you want natural leathers, which normally – but not always – feel softer, or synthetic leathers, which are usually better at keeping their shape and don’t absorb water. You’ll also need to consider lacing – asymmetrical is currently popular, but there are plenty of other options, which your child may prefer the feel of. Think about weight too – it usually stands that the more lightweight a boot is, the easier it’ll be to play in.

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Coaching Accessories

A great selection of soccer coach accessories like clipboards, whistles and more. With the lowest prices possible on great soccer coaching accessories.

 

Best Soccer Coaching Books, Training DVDs and Awesome Soccer Youtube Channels for Learning Soccer Skills

You thought you were just going to sign up your child for the youth league. Now here you are, a newly appointed coach. You didn’t ask for it, but it happened anyway. Now you need help. Don’t despair. We’ve picked some awesome books, DVDs and Youtube channels to help you find your way.

Some books are “complete guidebooks” that take you from starting out all the way through the expert level. Some other books focus on topics like mental toughness and soccer history. We even included a killer book f0r female soccer players looking to take names.

When it comes to DVDs we focused on skills and drills. Likeways with Youtube channels we found some great skills channels that can help you visualize what you want your players to do.

From surviving your first practice and first game, matching your drills and strategies to age and ability, winning over problem player and parents, making it fun and rewarding, knowing what to do in game situations, being the coach you never had and much more. We have you covered with the best soccer books, DVDs and Youtube channels.

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Soccer DVDs

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Best Soccer Youtube Channels