One of the great things about soccer is that it can be played by almost anyone in any place. Whether it’s to go out and start kicking a ball around with your friends or to take part in a competitive game, there really are only a few pieces of equipment that you really need.
Let’s have a look at a list of what the items needed are.
The six pieces of equipment you need to play soccer are:
- A Soccer Jersey
- Shorts
- Long Socks
- Shin Guards
- Footwear
- A Soccer ball
The first 5 items on this list are required by Law 4 in the FIFA Rules of the Game. (FIFA is the governing body for soccer).
Item number 6 on our list- the soccer ball – I put it there because no one can play soccer without a ball!
If you can get hold of or already have these 6 items, then you will be good to go.
However, there are also some other optional items that you may want to consider getting as well, which we will talk about at the end of this post.
But first, let’s go through this list in a bit more detail so you know more specifically what’s needed.
If you are interested in knowing not only what equipment is needed in a game but the 15 pieces of equipment that are used in every soccer game, then this article I wrote all about it will give you the answers you’re looking for.
1. A Soccer Jersey
The soccer jersey (also known as a “shirt”) is one of the main identifiers of which team the player is playing for. Every player on a team, except the goalkeeper, wears the same jersey.
When you are going to play an official game of soccer, it is often the case that a jersey, shorts, and socks (also known as the “kit” or “uniform”) will be provided for you to ensure every player is wearing the same thing.
But on those occasions where you are just going to play an informal game with friends, it may be worth checking with them beforehand what color your team will all be wearing.
That way, you will be prepared to play as a team.
If you are the one deciding on the choice of jersey for a team, there is one specific thing that you do need to know.
According to the FIFA Rules of the Game, the jersey must have sleeves. The sleeves can be short or long, but they must be there.
A soccer jersey will often have a number on the back to identify the specific player wearing it.
I recently compiled a complete guide to buying a soccer jersey, as it’s too easy to buy one that’s the wrong size or one you’re not sure about.
If you’re thinking of getting one, then I recommend you check out the guide first.
And if you’re looking to buy a soccer jersey, the online soccer retailer soccer.com has a great range of jerseys to choose from. Click here to go to their website and see if they have the jersey you’re looking for.
2. Shorts
Each outfield player in a soccer team has to wear shorts.
And as with the jerseys, all the outfield players on a team must wear matching shorts.
The reason for all wearing the same uniform in soccer is to help both the referee and any spectators identify who is on which team, but it is also extremely helpful as a player to know everyone on your team is wearing the same uniform.
In the fast pace of the game, you sometimes only have a split second to make a decision on who you will pass the ball.
You will find that no matter how well you know the other players on your team, you will notice a flash of color ahead of you a lot quicker than trying to identify another player’s face while they are also moving around at speed.
A goalkeeper is the only player on the team who is allowed to wear long pants if he or she wants to. You will sometimes see this in the colder months of the year.
While we’re talking about shorts you may also be interested in discovering if soccer players wear a cup. Check out my article for more info.
3. Long Socks
You will also have noticed if you have spent any time at all watching soccer that all the players wear long socks.
Some players pull their socks up to just below the knee, while others completely cover their knees with their socks.
If you want more information about this, have a look at my article – How to wear soccer socks.
Again, as discussed above, all the outfield players on a team must wear matching socks.
The reason players wear long socks rather than just ankle length or any other length is mainly to do with the fact that the socks must cover a player’s shin guards(which we will talk about next).
Sometimes you may find using tape or some other material necessary to keep your socks up. It is perfectly fine to do this.
Just make sure that whatever you are using is the same color as the part of the sock you are covering.
4. Shin Guards
Shin guards have been worn in soccer since the year 1874 and are designed to protect the front lower part of the leg below the knee.
Every soccer player must wear shin guards.
I can tell you from experience that it can be extremely painful when someone kicks or knocks your shin, and it doesn’t have any protection! There’s very little protecting the bone there.
There are a couple of different types of shin guards you can get.
Depending on how and what position in the team you will play can affect your choice of the shin guard.
For example, a defender who is expected to make tackles and come into contact with other players may often need stronger, more protective shin guards than a striker who does not normally make so many tackles.
Because of this, a defender may choose bigger shin guards with ankle support and protection, whereas another player may prefer smaller, lighter shin guards that offer a greater range of movement.
One important thing to be aware of is that socks must always cover a player’s shin guards.
Have a look at my guide on how to wear shin guards if you have any questions about this.
In this article I recently wrote, find out more about why shin guards are used in soccer.
5. Footwear
Most soccer games are played on grass. Because of this, most soccer players will wear cleats to play soccer.
Cleats on soccer shoes can come in all sorts of designs and styles.
Some are permanently attached or molded onto the shoe, and some are detachable.
You do have to be careful with the detachable ones, though, as there have been many times at the end of a game when I have looked at my shoes and realized some of my cleats are missing!
The reason for wearing cleats is to give more grip or traction while playing the game.
This is useful for any game but particularly beneficial when playing in bad weather, especially in the rain when the grass can quickly become wet and slippery.
Having good cleats at this time is hugely important.
There is no requirement to wear cleats, even at an official level, but you will very rarely see a soccer player not wearing cleats. This would be considered a significant disadvantage.
If you are planning on playing indoor soccer, you will not need cleats. In fact, it would probably be a fairly big disadvantage.
For indoor soccer, you are looking for footwear that is flat but also offers a good grip to make those quick turns and movements. Find out more in my article – Indoor Soccer Cleats: Everything You Need to Know.
My recommendation for soccer cleats is the Adidas Nemeziz 19.2 cleats. They are lightweight and created for agility and fast movement while also being strong enough to protect your feet comfortably.
Click here to check them out on soccer.com, or click here to check out their price on Amazon.
If you’re interested in discovering more about soccer cleats, go to my article What are Soccer Cleats? which will tell you all you need to know about them.
6. Soccer ball
How disappointing would it be to go and play a game of soccer and realize you don’t have a ball? Every game of soccer, whether played in your backyard or the largest stadium in the country, needs a ball.
Now, when it comes to soccer balls, there are literally thousands of different types of balls out there that you could use.
If you are playing in an official game, the ball has to meet specific quality and measurement criteria. (You can find that information in the FIFA Rules of the Game).
If you are just playing a more casual game or a game with children, there are some things you may want to consider.
One is the size of the ball.
A size-five soccer ball is considered best for adults and anyone over the age of 12.
For those aged around 8 to 12, it is probably best to use a size 4 soccer ball.
And for those under age 8, a size 3 ball would be best.
Another thing to consider is what surface you will be playing on.
Do you need a ball designed for grass, for playing indoors, or even for beach soccer? Take time to take all these things into account before choosing your soccer ball.
My favorite soccer ball is the Adidas MLS Pro Official Match Soccer Ball.
It’s at the higher price range for a ball(check out the price on Amazon here or on soccer.com here), but it’s an incredible ball to play with.
If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper but still great to use, check out this one on soccer.com.
Four Optional Pieces of Soccer Equipment
1. Goalkeeper gloves
If you are planning to play the position of goalkeeper on your team, I would highly recommend getting yourself some goalkeeper gloves.
There is no requirement in the rules that a goalkeeper has to wear gloves, but since 1948 when the Argentinian goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo started wearing gloves, almost every goalkeeper does.
Wearing a pair of gloves while in goal not only protects your hands from the sting of a ball being kicked at up to 60mph directly at you(!) but also gives much more grip than you would have with nothing on your hands.
This is clearly an advantage for a goalkeeper.
Nike Goalkeeper Gloves are my choice of goalie gloves to play in. They are comfortable to wear while still being flexible and padded enough to protect your hands and stop a ball simultaneously.
You can find them here on soccer.com or click here to find them on Amazon.
2. Water Bottle
It goes without saying that in any sport you are taking part in, you need to stay hydrated.
Running around for any period of time will cause your body temperature to rise, which means you will start to sweat and lose the necessary fluid from your body. This fluid needs to be replaced.
Having a water bottle close by, filled either with water or an isotonic drink, is a great idea.
Staying hydrated throughout the game will not only help your in-game performance but also speed up your post-game recovery time as well.
3. Soccer bag
Having a dedicated soccer bag to carry around all your equipment can be a really useful piece of equipment.
It not only keeps everything together in one place, but the reality is that after a game of soccer, most of your uniform is going to be sweaty and possibly smelly, and the rest of the equipment could be muddy.
Rather than using a general bag you own to put all this in every time you finish playing, you may prefer only to have one dedicated bag you regularly use to carry all this equipment around.
I would definitely recommend getting a soccer bag for this reason, and this one on Amazon checks all the boxes for everything you want from a soccer bag.
4. Mouthguard
It’s fairly rare to need or see a soccer player wearing a mouthguard, but it does occasionally happen.
When I was a teenager, I actually had to wear a mouth guard for a while while I played soccer, or any other sport, as I was having some work done on my teeth at the time, and my dentist insisted that it was a necessary precaution that I needed to take.
I have also seen another player’s tooth accidentally knocked out by an opponent during a game.
If you feel it would benefit you to wear a mouthguard to play soccer, go for it.
There is nothing in the rules to stop you, and it could make the difference of whether you end the game with all the teeth you started with or not!
If you have a toddler and you are looking to get some soccer equipment for them, check out my guide – Soccer Equipment for Toddlers: Everything you need to know.
Related Questions
Can a goalkeeper wear short sleeves? In a game of soccer, it is completely acceptable and within the game’s rules for a goalkeeper to wear short sleeves if he or she chooses to.
How do you dress for soccer? A player should wear a jersey, shorts, long socks, shin guards, and appropriate footwear when playing soccer. Each player must also wear a uniform that matches the rest of their team.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Hopefully, you now feel like you have a better understanding of what equipment is needed in soccer and some extra items that it’s often worth getting hold of.
If you are looking for more recommendations for what equipment to buy, head over to my recommended soccer equipment page. I’ve put together what I think are some of the best options out there to consider. Head on over and have a look.
If you want to continue reading about soccer, my Easy to Understand Guide to the Rules of Soccer will hopefully be helpful to you as you learn more about this beautiful game.
*Check out the next post – “Does Soccer have a Salary Cap?”*
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