Best Youth Soccer Training Equipment to Buy in 2024
What is the best youth soccer training equipment? The beautiful game is one of the most simple sports in the world that requires little to no gear and equipment to start enjoying.
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, like the ones on this list.
Youth players require pretty much the same equipment that older players use, including professional players, and in this blog I will be going over the most important youth soccer training equipment that is actually worth your money.
Soccer Training Ball
The most important piece of equipment for youth soccer players is a training ball which will help improve the most important skills of the game such as passing, receiving, dribbling, doing skill moves, shooting, and curving the ball.
For optimal skill development, make sure to choose the right size soccer ball for your player and also choose a durable high-quality soccer ball to ensure consistent performance during solo or team trainings.
Along with having a soccer ball it is also crucial to have a reliable soccer ball pump to help inflate and deflate your training balls. You cannot have a good training session with flat balls, which is why a ball pump is just as important as a soccer ball.
You may be able to inflate and deflate soccer balls without a ball pump, but that is only recommended if you have no other option.
Soccer Ball Pump
SPORTBIT Ball Pump
$11.99
Almost as important as the soccer 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. You may be able to pump a soccer ball without a ball bump, but that is not recommended unless you absolutely have to.
Soccer Cleats
Nike Tiempo Legend 9
$120
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.
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.
Soccer Shin Guards
Puma Ultra Flex
$24.63
One other way to help decrease the risk of injury and stay protected during a soccer game is by wearing shin guards. 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 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
Soccer Grip Socks
Lux Anti-Slip Socks
$17.95
Use code on Luxsports.com: Daniel70650 to get 15%-20% off your entire order
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.
Soccer Headband
Adidas Headband
$10
Agility Training Equipment
Agility Training Equipment
$39.99
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.
Soccer Goal Rebounder
Franklin Sports Rebound Goal
$149.99
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. This means more time for training and less time chasing balls. You can also choose a regular goal that is not a rebounder if you prefer a more traditional approach.
Soccer Rebound Board
QUICKPLAY Pro Rebounder
$89.99
Although the previous piece of equipment was also a rebounder this rebounder is a bit different. One of the best ways to train on your own as a soccer player is to find a wall, because a wall is basically a training partner that will never get tired.
However, if you do not have any good walls to train with, or if you want to train with a rebounder at the field, then investing in a reliable transportable rebound board can be a great investment.
Smart Soccer Ball
SENSEBALL
$44.99
A smart soccer ball is a great tool to help youth players improve their skills from the comfort of their home by pairing with companion apps and providing custom and real time training. Although some players may have fun and may improve by using these balls, there are also a lot of players that do not enjoy this type of training because it is much better to just go outside and be as creative as you want with the ball instead of looking at an electronic screen which gives off NNEMF.
With that being said, training with a smart soccer ball may be something that your youth player may enjoy so give it a shot, but these tools should not replace regular team training.
Soccer Bag
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 Camera
Having a high quality soccer camera is a great way to record your games to analyze individual performances, team performances, as well as create highlight videos to send to potential scouts and teams.
Soccer Tracker
CITYPLAY Smart Tracker
$149.99
A soccer tracker is not a mandatory piece of equipment, however a soccer tracker can help keep track of various important metrics such as distance ran, max speed, and much more, which may help improve your skills and motivation.
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 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.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best soccer equipment for youth players is basically the same equipment that older players also use during solo and team practice sessions. In this blog, I covered the best soccer training equipment for youth players to help develop the most important skills of the game.
A lot of the items on this list are portable and easy to use so that you can train anywhere, either at a field or from the comfort of your home. So what are you waiting for? Invest in the best soccer training equipment today and help your athlete become a great soccer player.