Soccer checklist
First Soccer Season Gear Checklist
A parent checklist for a first youth soccer season — ball size, shin guards, cleats, and what the club actually provides.
Measure in this order
| Gear | Measure | Parent note |
|---|---|---|
| Shin guards | Shin length below the kneecap | Mandatory everywhere. Must be fully covered by the sock. |
| Cleats or turf shoes | Current shoe size and playing surface | Surface choice matters as much as size. Check heel lockdown. |
| Ball | League age division | Match the club's game ball for home practice. |
| Socks | Shoe size band | Must be tall enough to fully cover the shin guards. |
| Water bottle | n/a | Named. Every training session, every match. |
| Division | Ball size | Circumference |
|---|---|---|
| Schoolyard, 6U, 8U | Size 3 | 23 – 24 in |
| 10U, 12U | Size 4 | 25 – 26 in |
| 14U and older | Size 5 | 27 – 28 in |
Shin guards are mandatory, and the sock rule is real
Shin guards are required in organised soccer at every level, and the requirement is not simply that the child owns some — the laws of the game require them to be entirely covered by the socks. Referees do check, particularly in older youth divisions, and a player whose guards are not covered can be asked to leave the field until they are.
This has a practical consequence when shopping: the socks have to be tall enough for the guards you buy. Parents who buy tall guards and short socks discover the problem on the first match day. Buy the guards first, then the socks to suit.
- Guards must be fully covered by the socks
- Buy guards first, then socks tall enough to cover them
- Measure shin length rather than shopping by age label
- Check the guard stays put through a short sprint
Get the ball size right and use it at home
The ball size is set by the division, not by preference. Under AYSO's national rules, size 3 runs through the 8U division, size 4 covers 10U and 12U, and size 5 arrives at 14U. Regional competitions occasionally vary, so confirming with the coach takes a minute and prevents buying the wrong one.
Buy the size your child actually plays with rather than the one they will grow into. A ball that is too heavy encourages toe-poking and leaning back, and those compensations become habits. Practising at home with the same ball used at training is worth considerably more than saving one purchase.
Surface before style on footwear
Cleats are the one purchase where parents most often get the category wrong rather than the size. Firm-ground cleats suit natural grass; turf shoes suit artificial surfaces; indoor shoes are for sports halls and futsal. A great many youth teams now train on artificial turf even when matches are on grass, so count the hours before choosing.
Whichever category you choose, check heel lockdown rather than toe room first. Have the child lace them as they will wear them, sprint three steps, and stop hard. If the heel lifts out of the heel cup, the shoe is too long — and a cleat with slack causes blisters far faster than a trainer does.
- Count training hours, not just match days, when choosing the outsole
- Check heel lockdown before toe room
- Many turf facilities prohibit firm-ground studs
- Fit in the socks they will actually play in, over shin guards
What you almost certainly do not need yet
First-season soccer parents are frequently sold things that can wait. Goalkeeper gloves are unnecessary unless your child is specifically keeping goal, and in most young teams the role rotates and the club supplies a pair. Base layers, compression shorts, and branded training kit are comfort items rather than requirements.
The genuine list is short: cleats, shin guards, socks, a ball, and a named water bottle. The club generally provides the jersey. Everything beyond that can wait until your child has played a few weeks and you know what they actually need.
New vs used quick check
Ball: Often okay
Check pressure retention, panel seams, and surface wear.
Shin guards: Often okay
Check for cracks and that straps or sleeves still grip.
Cleats: Sometimes
Only if the heel counter is intact and the studs are not worn flat.
Socks: Not worth it
Cheap new, and elastic degrades quickly.
Common questions
What does my child need for their first soccer season?
Cleats or turf shoes, shin guards, socks tall enough to cover the guards, a ball in the league's size, and a named water bottle. The club usually supplies the game jersey. Very little else is necessary in a first season.
What size soccer ball should I buy?
Whatever your league specifies. Under AYSO's national rules that is size 3 through the 8U division, size 4 for 10U and 12U, and size 5 from 14U. Confirm with the coach, since regional competitions sometimes vary.
Do shin guards really have to be covered by the socks?
Yes — the laws of the game require it, and referees do check. Buy the guards first and then socks tall enough to cover them, rather than the other way round.
Does my child need goalkeeper gloves?
Only if they are specifically playing in goal. In most young teams the role rotates and the club supplies a shared pair. It is not a first-season purchase for an outfield player.
Is used soccer gear worth buying?
Balls and shin guards second-hand are generally fine — check pressure retention and that guards are uncracked with working straps. Cleats are worth buying used only if the heel counter is intact and the studs are not worn flat.
Size guides
Helpful articles
Next step
Turn the measurements into starting sizes.
Once the checklist is filled in, run each gear type through the size finder to get a beginner-safe starting range before you compare products.