How to get started
One of the great things about youth soccer is that it isn't an expensive sport. Here what your child will need:
Soccer cleats. Soccer cleats are like baseball or softball cleats but the cleats are short and made of rubber (metal cleats are not allowed). Up to the age of 8 or 9, a child doesn't even need soccer shoes and will do perfectly fine in any type of athletic shoe, as long as it fits and provides good support.
Shin Guards. Soccer is definitely a contact sport. Shin guards help reduce the chance of injury to the shin (tibia), the third-most likely area of the body to be injured playing soccer, according to a recent study.
Water bottle. Experts advise your child to drink fluids, preferably water, before, during and after practices and games, even in the cold weather, to avoid dehydration, or worse yet, heat illness. Your child should have his or her own personalized water bottle and needs to be reminded to drink 5 to 9 ounces (10 to 18 1/2 ounce "gulps") every 20 minutes during activity, depending on weight - Teenagers should drink more. Younger children should be given water bottles with marks on the sides showing how much they should drink each time or told how many "gulps" to drink.
Uniform. See information under Registration content.
Practice T-shirts and shorts.
Soccer ball. For practicing at home. Remember: soccer balls come in different sizes. Make sure to get the size ball your child is using in games and practices.
For 4U-8U Players, use a size 3 Soccer Ball.
For 9U-12U Players, use a size 4 Soccer Ball.
For Players 13U and up, use a size 5 Soccer Ball.