1. Soccer balls are made out of a variety of materials. Soccer ball covers are generally made out of synthetic materials, polyurethane, or PVC. Synthetics offer the softest feel and often cost the most. Polyurethane covers feel soft, but are also scuff-resistant and water-resistant. PVC soccer ball covers are the firmest, the most durable, and generally the least expensive.
2. Make sure you choose the right size of soccer ball for your age group. Size 3 soccer balls are recommended for children under age 8. Size 4 soccer balls are best for players 8-11 years old. Size 5 is the international standard match soccer ball for ages 13 and up.
3. Soccer ball bladders made of latex are soft and generally used on higher-quality balls, but they require more frequent filling than their less-expensive butyl counterparts. Don't forget to bring a hand pump along to your next game.
4. Most soccer goal nets are made from polypropylene - a durable and resilient material. With higher skill levels, you'll want to choose a soccer net with thicker cord for greater resilience to forceful impact. We offer soccer goal nets in pairs to set up a playing field, or single soccer goal nets to replace a worn-out soccer net.
5. Soccer nets are sized by their height, width, top depth, and bottom depth. Measure the size of your youth soccer goal before ordering a soccer net to go with it, and anticipate how deep you want it to stretch to create a soccer goal that matches your skill level.
6. It's a good idea to anchor your portable soccer goals with steel soccer goal anchors or ground stakes for stability and safety. PVC soccer goals generally require anchoring, but it's also recommended for steel soccer goals. For additional stability, use sand bags to balance the weight of your PVC soccer goal.
7. Attach soccer nets to your soccer goals using heavy-duty ties. We offer reusable Velcro ties that easily and quickly secure the soccer net to the goal. Brightly colored net pegs keep your soccer net secured to the ground, but they can also serve as soccer field markers.
8. Soccer field markers help players locate field boundaries. Made of resilient plastic or polycarbonate, the posts are sturdy but flexible to prevent shattering. Nylon or polyurethane flags top the soccer posts, providing high visibility. Spring bases add more flexibility to the steel spikes once they're driven into the ground.
9. Pack your soccer equipment in a handy sport backpack or soccer bag for easy transport to the big match. Sports backpacks are great for individual players, whereas our durable nylon and mesh soccer ball bags are great for teams because they can hold several soccer balls.
10. Every good coach comes prepared for injuries. Check out our selection of ankle supports, knee supports, and therapy wraps to stabilize joints, prevent strain on old injuries, and treat new injuries.
For more soccer equipment resources, check out our helpful soccer information page.
