The Best Youth Soccer Training Equipment to Buy in 2025

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What is the best youth soccer training equipment for young players to have? The beautiful game is one of the most simple sports in the world that requires little to no gear and equipment to start playing, enjoying, and improving.

The only piece of equipment you really need to start training is the soccer ball itself and your bare feet, although if you want to play in a competitive team, you will need cleats and other essential equipment on this list.

Youth soccer players require pretty much the same equipment that older players use, including professional players, and in this blog post I will be going over the most important youth soccer training equipment that is actually worth your money.

The Best Youth Soccer Training Equipment

Soccer Bag with Ball Holder

As a youth player, not only is it important to have all of the essential soccer equipment, but it is just as important to have a soccer bag to help you transport all of your equipment to and from games and training sessions. Without a soccer bag, it will be much harder to transport your equipment and stay organized.

Soccer Cleats

The next most important piece of equipment for youth soccer players are soccer cleats. Although playing barefoot is a great way for players to improve their overall skills, athleticism, and health, if you want to play in a team and in a competitive environment then soccer cleats are mandatory.

There are different types of soccer cleats based on different playing surfaces so make sure to pick the right ones to decrease the risk of injury and provide an optimal playing experience. For example, if you play mostly on grass choose firm ground cleats, if you play mostly on artificial turf use turf shoes, and if you play mostly on hard surfaces use indoor soccer shoes.

Also, I highly recommend using wide soccer cleats, ideally made from leather, as these cleats will literally mold to the shape of your feet and give a custom comfortable fit once broken in.

Shin Guards + Shin Guard Sleeves

Shin guards are the most important piece of protective gear in soccer and it is important to make sure shin guards fit properly so that they can actually do their job and protect you. There are many different types of shin guards and most youth players like ankle guards, since they provide extra protection for the ankle, but what type of shin guards you wear will come down to personal preference.

Also, having a reliable pair of shin guards sleeves is important for making sure everything stays in place and does not slide around while you play.

Soccer Cleat Insoles

If you are a youth 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.

Grip Socks

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 Soccer Shorts

Training soccer shorts are a necessity when it comes to soccer training gear.

Training Soccer Pants

If you’re looking for the best pair of soccer pants, for colder weather, then Adidas is known for making some of the highest quality pair.

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 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.

Indoor Soccer Ball

Senda Athletics is one of the biggest futsal and indoor soccer brands in the world who make some of the most popular and high quality balls on the market. Its premium construction, featuring machine-stitched panels and a butyl bladder, ensures the best durability and air retention.

If you have played futsal before, or walked by a group of players playing futsal there is a high chance they were playing with Senda Athletics ball. 

Soccer Ball Bag

If you decide to get a lot of training ball to spend less time ball shagging, investing in a high quality soccer ball bag can also be very useful.

Soccer Cleat Bag

If you want a high quality bag for your soccer cleats that will prevent their odor from spreading, the Salt Athletic bag is the right bag for you and the best soccer cleat bag.

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, easy to transport, and that you will not forget to keep carrying inside of your soccer bag.

Training Cones

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

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.

PUGG Pop-Up Soccer Goals

If you are looking for the best of the best when it comes to pop up soccer goals, the original PUGG soccer goals are the right choice for you. This set of two goals comes with a handy carrying bag and they are quick and easy to set up and transport.

PUGG is easily the most recognized small soccer goals brand in the world and their goals are perfect for practice or small sided games, for both children and adults.

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

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.

Blue Light Blockers (and EMF Protection in General)

Blue light blockers are a form of EMF protection to help block your eyes from blue light wavelengths that disrupt your circadian rhythm and mitochondrial function.

Soccer Tracker

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.

Soccer Camera

The Veo Camera stands out as the best soccer camera to record soccer matches and help players develop. With just a few touches, users can connect the camera to their phone through the Veo Camera App, available for both iOS and Android.

Once connected, mounting the camera on a tripod or stadium mount is all it takes to be ready for action. The Veo camera is easy to set up and with the Veo subscription teams, coaches, and players can get access to their footage to start analyzing or creating highlight videos with.

Books

Books, whether that is an autobiography, tactics, or any other soccer book are a great learning tool to keep in your bag to stay mentally sharp, gain new perspectives on the game, and continue learning even when you’re off the field.

Agility Training Equipment

Agility training equipment can be a great way to teach your child basic footwork patterns and can enhance agility and speed. These agility training tools should not take up a majority of your training time and just about 5 minutes of work with these tools is more than enough for a full soccer training session.

Sense SMART Soccer Ball

Soccer Goal Rebounder

Investing in a high quality soccer goal rebounder is a great way to help improve some of the most important skills of the game, such as shooting and receiving, from the comfort of your home. There are many tools that are just soccer goals and many others that are just rebounders, but to get the most bang for your buck I would highly suggest investing in a soccer goal rebounder, which combines the two – this way you are able to practice your shooting while having the ball back bounce at you.

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

How can I help my child improve at soccer?

The best ways to help your youth player’s development and help them become better soccer players is to let them play the game as much as possible through:

• Real games
• Team trainings
• small sided games (5v5, 7v7, or 9v9)
• Pickup games
• Futsal
• Beach soccer
• Soccer tennis
• Soccer ping pong
• Any other variation of the game as well as play other sports

As well as to take care of every single aspect of their lives that impacts health and performance including:

• Mindset
• Breathing
• Sleep
• Nutrition
• Hydration
• Supplementation 
• Natural Recovery techniques
• Time Spent Grounded
• Mitochondrial Function
• EMF exposure
• Relationship with nature

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 and interviews, and watch soccer documentaries, movies, tv shows, and anime.