The Best Soccer Training Gear that is Actually Useful (2024)
The best soccer training gear and equipment includes items that are easy to transport and that will allow you to get in a high quality training session whether you are training by yourself or with a group. Soccer gets its nickname, the beautiful game, because it is one of the most simple sports, that requires little to no equipment.
The truth is all you really need is a soccer ball and your bare feet to start playing, but if you are a competitive player there is other gear and equipment that can be useful. That is why I have created this list to share with you about the only training gear you need as a soccer player that is actually worth your money.
This list will start with the most important and required equipment and end off with other equipment that is not necessary, but can be useful depending on your situation.
The Best Soccer Training Gear To Have
Soccer Bag
To start you are going to need a soccer bag or backpack to make it easier to transport the rest of your gear and equipment from trainings to matches. Look for a soccer bag with enough space to fit all your equipment in, separate compartments for easy organization, and one that can protect your gear from various weather conditions. You can choose from sack-packs to backpacks to any other style that you like, but any backpack is a helpful piece of training gear.
Soccer Balls
Soccer Ball
$26.99
When it comes to soccer balls you want to make sure you are training with high quality balls that have the proper air pressure, so they are not too flat or too hard. You also want to make sure that you have the right size soccer ball for your age and playing level.
Good quality soccer balls will last longer than cheaper ones, giving you more bang for your buck, and in the long run, you will save money by not having to buy balls too often. Also, the more soccer balls you have the more you can spend time training instead of ball shagging during shooting and crossing drills.
Soccer Ball Bag
BROTOU Sports Ball Bag
$14.99
If you decide to get a lot of training ball to spend less time ball shagging, investing in a high quality soccer bag can also be very useful.
Soccer Ball Pump
Almost as important as the ball itself is the ball pump. A ball pump is used to deflate and inflate soccer balls, and it is one of the most essential pieces of equipment.
There is nothing worse than getting to a field all ready to play only to find out that your ball has no air inside and you don’t have a ball pump. Avoid this problem by investing in a high quality ball pump that is light, easy to use, and easy to transport.
Soccer Cleats
Nike Tiempo Legend 9
$120
Your soccer cleats are your weapon on the field and you need to make sure you have the right type of soccer cleats to play your best and avoid injury.
- Firm Ground Cleats: Designed for natural grass fields.
- Soft Ground Cleats: Designed for wet and muddy grass field
- Artificial Turf Shoes: Designed for artificial surfaces
- Indoor shoes: Designed for indoor surfaces and harder outdoor surfaces
- Also, Consider choosing wide soccer cleats made out of high quality materials such as leather, which can mold to the shape of your feet for a custom and near perfect fit.
Shin guards and Shin Guard sleeves
Puma Ultra Flex
$24.63
Shin Guard Sleeves
$9.99
Shin guards are the most important piece of protective gear in soccer. Shin guards come in various sizes and styles, so choosing a pair that fits properly and provides enough protection is important for your performance on the field.
Everyone’s preference for shin guards is different so it is best to experiment and see what selection works best for you. It is also wise to invest in a high-quality pair of shin guard sleeves to prevent your shin guards from sliding around if you play in competitive matches.
Soccer Cleat Insoles
Having a pair of extra insoles can come in very handy because you never know when you might need them. Also, if your current insoles are ripped you might want to consider getting new insoles to improve the responsiveness of your cleats.
If you are a soccer player looking for the highest quality soccer insoles, the VKTRY Premium Insoles are made from the highest quality carbon fiber materials that offer support, stability, and shock absorption that is scientifically proven to help you run faster, jump higher and protect you from injury.
Grip Socks
Lux Anti-Slip Socks
$17.95
Use code on Luxsports.com: Daniel70650 to get 15%-20% off your entire order
Grip socks can be a valuable piece of equipment because they are basically high quality socks with sticky grip pads that prevent your feet from sliding around which reduces the risk of getting blisters. To wear grip socks in official matches you will need to learn how to cut soccer socks and wear them like a pro, but for trainings and pickup games you can wear them as they are.
Training Cones
Training Cones
$15.02
Training cones are simple yet effective tools that can help set up drills for passing, dribbling, and agility, as well as help set up boundaries for scrimmages and small-sided games, which is the best way to use training cones. Training cones come in various sizes, colors, and shapes and can be used in many different ways.
Rebound Nets and Boards
QUICKPLAY Pro Rebounder
$89.99
A soccer rebounder is an excellent training tool, especially when you have to do a solo training session. The rebounder, which can come as a rebound board or rebound net, acts as a training partner and will pass the ball back to you without ever getting tired.
Many rebounders also come with different angles, which means the ball will come back at you in different ways, which can help keep the training fun and engaging. For example, one side of the board may bounce the ball back on the ground while the other side sends the ball in the air. If you don’t have access to a rebounder go and find a wall.
Soccer Goal
If you do not have access to a full size soccer goal and train individually a lot, then this is a very useful piece of equipment. Shooting and scoring goals are some of the most important parts of the game that you want to be practicing constantly.
Barefoot Shoes
Barefoot shoes are a way to take care of your feet after a hard training session. Most soccer cleats are narrow, even the wider models, compared to the type of footwear we should be wearing, but cleats are designed that way because that is how they perform best for soccer.
One way to help your feet after being inside cleats for hours is by spending time in barefoot shoes because they have a wide toe box and flat sole that allows your feet to splay and have more space for natural movements.
Massage Recovery Tool
Spiky Ball
$6.99
The best massage recovery tool that players should use is a spiky ball so that you can localize and centralize the pressure in one place. Foam rollers provide a larger surface area, which may feel better in some parts of the body, however you are not able to get as deep as you would with a spiky ball.
To get rid of fascia adhesions it is best to use a tool that gives deep and centralized pressure like the spiky ball, lacrosse ball, or tennis ball. This is a very useful and easy-to-transport tool.
Soccer Tracker
CITYPLAY Smart Tracker
$149.99
There are many types of soccer trackers on the market from cleat straps, like the one above, to gps vest trackers that look like sports bras. A soccer tracker is not a must-have piece of equipment by any means, but if you have the money and you are really into stats then they could be worth the investment.
However, it is very important to be aware of the potential dangers of wearing this type of technology as GPS trackers can emit Non-Native EMF, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation that may harm your mitochondrial function.
Summary
Soccer is a sport that you can find people playing in almost any country around the world. As a recreational player or someone who is just getting into the game you do not need that much equipment. But for more serious competitive players having the right training gear and equipment is important for your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What special equipment is needed for soccer?
As a soccer player you don’t need much equipment if you are just a casual playing for fun. However if you are a more serious player investing in the right training equipment, like the items on this list, can help you along your soccer journey.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts, watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
How do I improve my soccer skills with limited equipment?
As a soccer player you can start improving your soccer skills by using our best soccer drills. If you want more personalized training and coaching and learn what to do with this training equipment, please contact me and mention this blog post or fill out the form on our private training page.
