New Parent Info

Below should not be considered a recommendation of where to purchase merely info to help parents make informed decisions.

• Cleats! (Required) - Soccer cleats are specific to soccer!
• Using cleats designed for a different sport can be illegal, for example, any cleat with removeable spikes!
• Some cleats are designed for different sports and can lead to injury. Most stores will be able to help with this info.
• Note: We do not recommend buying cleats online unless you find a store to try a specific brand first! Many different brands will differ by 2 or more sizes! Many discount stores that carry shoes will carry cleats during season dates!
• Shin guards (Required) - These come in all shapes and sizes and like buying a car they are priced between a few dollars and ridiculous!
• Basic maybe with a strap to hold them in place. Click Here for an example. These work fine but may slide around.
• Basic with Underfoot stirrup Click Here for an example. Make sure they try them on the strap is stitched at the bottom and many players complain about irritation! However, nothing a pair of scissors won't fix!
• I have never seen a player run faster with light weight shin guards but I have never spent $80 for a set of shin guards! I would recommend these the moment your player signs make a D1 college team or signs with USA Soccer! Click Here for an example.
• Soccer balls (Recommended) Coaches will have balls for drills however having thier own ball is beneficial.
• U6 and U8 use a size 3 ball
• U10 and U12 use a size 3 ball
• U14 and up use a size 5 ball
• Water bottle (Recommended)
• Please avoid 16 or 20oz plastic bottles. It might be freezing out, but those bottles barely make it through the first water break!
• I would avoid Stanley, Thermoflask, Hydro flask or any other expensive water bottles! I have a collection of them in lost and found! Your 8yo is most likely going to lose it and I can almost guarantee your 14yo will! Do yourself a favor find a deal online or head into Walmart to buy a $10 or less water bottle! So, when you leave a game and they forget it you can yell at them about responsibility without agonizing over a $100 water bottle lost!
• Chance favors the prepared... Somethings years of experience allow me to suggest!
• A chair! Most soccer fields do not have seating "by the field". So unless you want to sit on the ground bring your own.
• Layers of clothing... It might be 50 degrees out, but your player will be sweating in no time. This goes for spectators as well. This is Florida the temp changes at the snap of a finger!