Soccer is one of those sports that you can’t exactly half-dress for, you know? If you want to get onto a good team, you’ve got to take the whole process seriously.
And when it comes to making sure that you’re ready for soccer, practice isn’t the only thing that makes perfect. When it comes to practicing on the pitch, you also need to be mindful of what you’re wearing, too.
This isn’t just so that you look the part (you know, dress for the job that you want, not just the job that you have), but it’s also important when it comes to feeling like a real part of the team, as well as boosting your confidence.
And that’s not even touching on the actual practical reasons for each part of the uniform, either!
(Don’t worry, we’ll get to that!)
So, what exactly constitutes a ‘good uniform’ when it comes to soccer practice? Well, there are a few key things that you should know before you get started.
And luckily, this guide is here to provide you with those answers, from the right kind of shirt to the right extra gear that you should have handy when it is called for.
Getting The Uniform Right
One of the things that many people seem to underestimate about the soccer uniform is just how many components there are to it.
While everyone and their grandmother will be aware of the classic shorts and long sock-combo, there is so much more to the gear that you need to be carrying for soccer practice.
Shirt
Shirts are a piece of uniform that everyone will be familiar with for soccer. Because each team usually has a unique jersey, you should probably make sure that you are wearing the same one when you attend soccer practice.
Now, this might sound like a problem if you don’t know where exactly to get them, but if you have managed to get on to a team, they will often provide you with the team shirt, or give you details as to where you can find them at least.
However, if weather conditions do take a turn for the worse during practice, make sure that you have a long-sleeved shirt or thermal on underneath that soccer shirt, for your health and safety.
Shorts
Like the shirt, soccer shorts are also an iconic part of the overall outfit.
These shorts usually sit quite loose on the body and can come in a variety of different lengths and sizes. However, generally speaking, soccer shorts will usually come to around the mid-thigh area.
Above all else, though, shorts need to allow a soccer player to be able to move easily and without issue when wearing them.
When finding a pair of shorts for yourself or a child, make sure that the elastic waist sits comfortably without digging in too much.
And, of course, they are easy to move around in!
Cleats/Soccer Shoes
These might be some of the most important items that you’ll need to find for a soccer uniform. After all, if you’re going to be running up and down the pitch, you’re going to need to be wearing a good pair of cleats!
Cleats, or soccer shoes, aren’t simply just normal sneakers, but with a little more grip.
With their often metal studs protruding out of the bottom, these shoes are tailor-made to dig into soccer pitch turf and allow players to move quickly and confidently, no matter what condition the grass you’re playing on is in!
Cleats can come with several different kinds of studs for different terrain. The principle that you should follow is the softer the ground that you’ll be playing and practicing on, the longer the studs on the cleat should be.
So, soft earth and grass require long cleats, whereas turf will only need short ones instead.
Socks
One of the things that most people notice about soccer is how long most players’ socks are, with them usually coming up to and above the knee.
However, they are a practical item, despite what some people may think at first. For one, they are both great insulators from the weather on cold days, while also allowing the skin to breathe and absorb sweat on water days.
And if you’re constantly running around the pitch, you’re guaranteed to be working up a sweat!
Plus, having the socks over your knee also makes them great padding for your shin guards. Without them, there’s a good chance that your guards would move around a lot more, or slide down your leg.
This is why, when it comes to getting your uniform together, having good soccer socks is essential.
Shin Guards
Speaking of shin guards, these are also good items to have as part of your uniform, as they can help protect your shins from serious bodily harm. Considering that most action in soccer happens below the waist and in the legs, this is a good protective item to have.
(It is also why there is usually no need for protection for your arms or elbow either!)
Other Gear
There are a few other items that, while not essential, are usually considered to be very good gear to have on your person while practicing soccer.
Gloves
This is especially a piece of gear that you’re going to want to have, especially if you are a goalkeeper.
Aside from simply keeping your hands warm on colder days, gloves are essential for goalkeepers when it comes to catching goals, as you’ll be stopping balls moving at incredibly fast speeds.
Sports Tights
While socks can often do the job, sports tights will make sure that your legs stay warm enough on cold practice days.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it!
While the base kit for practicing soccer can feel a little excessive, especially for practice, hopefully, we have shown you that
Plus, the uniform kind of just looks cool, you know? It makes you look like you’re ready to take on the world of soccer.
To be honest, it’s kind of got us pumped just thinking about it!
Soccer is the most popular sport played and watched in the world, yet it is one rarely talked about in the United States. Why is this?
Hi, my name is Adrian Turner and I am a self-proclaimed soccer head.
Since I was young, I have always been fascinated by soccer, and any of the games I could find on the TV channels. There weren’t many games broadcast, so thankfully I could find more on the internet as I grew up.
I turned all of my friends onto soccer and we’d play into the evenings after school.
