The Best Soccer Training Gear to Buy in 2024
What is the best soccer training gear to buy in 2024? The beautiful game is one of the most simple sports, requiring little to no equipment, and all you really need to start playing and getting better is a soccer ball and your bare feet.
There is a huge range of equipment for soccer players and it is important to know what soccer training equipment is useful and what is not. 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.
Soccer Balls
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 may 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 such as during shooting and crossing drills.
Ball Pump
SPORTBIT Ball Pump
$11.99
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 avoid injury and play your best.
- 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
- If you have wide feet consider wide soccer cleats
- Also, consider cleats made out of high quality materials such as leather, which can mold to the shape of your feet for a custom and perfect fit.
Shin guards
Puma Ultra Flex
$24.63
Shin guards are the ultimate shield against accidental kicks, and they are like bodyguards for your shins. Shin guards come in various sizes and styles, so choosing a pair that fits properly and provides adequate protection, fit, and comfort is essential.
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.
Shin Guard Sleeves
Shin Guard Sleeves
$9.99
The shin guard sock, or sleeve, by HERSENT is one of the best shin guard sleeves. Designed with a breathable and elastic fabric, this shin guard sleeve will not only help hold your shin guards in the right place, but they will also feel comfortable and provide maximum security.
Soccer Cleat Insoles
If you are a soccer player looking for the highest quality soccer insoles, the VKTRY Premium Insoles are the ones for you. Made from the highest quality carbon fiber materials, these insoles offer premium support, stability, and shock absorption that is scientifically proven to help you run faster, jump higher and protect you from injury.
Regular Socks
Designed for both men and women, the Adidas Unisex Copa Cushion 4 socks offer a perfect blend of comfort, support, and durability. The moisture-wicking and sweat-wicking fabric keeps your feet dry during intense activity while the cushioning provides extra comfort making this a high quality pair of soccer socks.
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.
Soccer Shorts
Adidas Men’s Mastigo Shorts
$19.05
Soccer shorts are an essential piece of equipment for any player hitting the field. While seemingly simple, these shorts play a crucial role in providing comfort and mobility during intense matches or training sessions. Make sure to get a pair of lightweight and breathable soccer shorts to allow you to move freely without feeling restricted.
Headband
Adidas Headband
$10.00
If you have long hair, or if you want extra protection for your head when doing headers, or if you are dealing with concussions then consider investing in a high quality soccer headband.
Soccer Bag
Carrying your equipment essentials efficiently from training to training requires a reliable bag to make this process a lot easier. 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.
Also, having a dedicated ball bag and a personal bag to carry your essentials are great investments that can make your life much easier. Just make sure to wash them regularly so they last longer and don’t smell bad.
Soccer Ball Bag
BROTOU Sports Ball Bag
$14.99
The BROTOU Sports Ball Bag is crafted from durable 600D polyester and fine nylon mesh, designed to withstand heavy use while allowing airflow to keep contents fresh. With a large capacity of 24″ x 36″, it can hold multiple soccer balls as well as other types of equipment.
The adjustable shoulder strap and easy cord closure system make it easy to carry plus it has a zippered pocket that provides extra storage for accessories like jerseys and towels. This is no doubt, one of the best soccer ball bags for its price.
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. They come in various sizes, colors, and shapes and can be used in many ways.
Full-sized soccer goal
Power net Soccer Goal 14ft X 7 ft
$199.99
If you don’t have access to a full-sized goal near you, then investing in a portable full-sized soccer goal that is quick and easy to set up can be very beneficial for your development as the actual game is played with full-sized goals.
Scoring goals, shooting at goals, and blocking goals are some of the most fundamental parts of the game that players must be training consistently no matter what position they play.
Pop-Up Soccer Goals + Precision Target
Pop-up soccer goals are the perfect training equipment to help you set up many drills or small-sided games. Some pop-up goals come with precision targets on the other side, which is the type of pop-up soccer goal I recommend the most as it can be more versatile.
Create a grid with soccer cones and put a mini soccer goal at either end of the fields to have goals on each side, and you are ready to play a game.
Agility Training Equipment
Agility Training Equipment
$39.99
The best agility training equipment includes agility ladders, speed hurdles, and poles, which are simple yet effective tools for enhancing speed, coordination, and overall athletic performance. These tools are straightforward to use and set up and can easily fit in the backpack of any player.
Although they can be useful, they should not take up a majority of the training session and 5-10 minutes is enough.
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 at you in different ways, depending on where you hit the ball, which can help keep the training engaging, challenging, and fun. For example, one part of the net 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 Tennis Net
Soccer Tennis Net
$79.99
Soccer tennis, also known as football tennis or Futnet, is an excellent training drill that combines elements from both sports, soccer and tennis. Soccer tennis is a great way to improve a player’s technical skills, and it can help add some variation to a typical training session.
If you can find an empty tennis court and you are allowed to play there, then you can play Futnet without this piece of equipment, but if you do not have access to an actual tennis net or want to play Futnet on grass or sand, then the soccer tennis net is the perfect piece of equipment.
Barefoot Shoes
Lightweight and flexible, barefoot shoes offer a unique playing experience, bringing players closer to the ground. Ideal for those seeking a natural feel, barefoot shoes are a great way to help improve the health and function of your feet, your most important tools in soccer.
Soccer Camera
Having a soccer camera is very important for recording your own games and learning from them. One of the best ways to improve as a soccer player is by analyzing your games by noting what things you do well and what things you can improve on.
By recording games you will also be able to create highlight videos to send out to potential future teams.
Soccer Ping Pong Table (Teqball)
Teqball Table
$3,499
Soccer ping pong, is a sport that combines elements from soccer, ping pong, and volleyball. Teqball is a variation of soccer ping pong that is played on a curved table. Although this is a sport of its own, many clubs worldwide have these tables for players to play around their training facilities, or they can be used during a training session because it also acts as a fantastic training drill.
PVS Mannequins
PVS Mannequins
$94 – 300
PVS mannequins are designed to look like human defenders and are very helpful in replicating real-game situations. Use them during free-kick training, dribbling, passing, drills, or anything else you can think of solo or with your team.
These life-sized figures on the field help you visualize opponents and strategize your moves accordingly in a more game-like scenario. However, as obvious as this sounds, these tools will not replicate playing against moving opponents but can provide some value in specific drills and exercises.
Training Bibs
Training Bibs
$15- 40
Training bibs are used to distinguish between two teams during a training session. They are very lightweight and can come in various colors, designs, and breathable materials. With bibs, you can create separate teams for whatever drill or variation of the game you are playing such as full 11 v 11 games, small sided games (9v9, 7v7, 5v5), futsal, beach soccer, or pickup games.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What do you need to train for soccer?
As a soccer player your main focus should be to improve your athleticism, stamina, mindset, mitochondrial function, and overall understanding of soccer tactics and basic soccer skills.
What special equipment is needed for soccer?
The mandatory soccer equipment that you will need for official matches and training include soccer balls, cleats, shin guards, socks, shorts, and a jersey. Make sure to wear the proper cleats, shin guards, and uniform that matches the rest of your team.
Conclusion
Soccer is a sport that you can find people playing in almost any country around the world. As an aspiring player looking to reach the next level it is not mandatory to have the best and most up to date equipment, although it can help enhance your training sessions which could improve your skills faster.
In this blog, I went over the best soccer training gear that is actually worth investing in.
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