Soccer as a sport is definitely a contact sport where many injuries can happen. But other than that, it is still an outdoor sport which requires you to have the necessary equipment, otherwise training and playing becomes unpleasant, to say the least.

Here is the equipment you need if you want to play soccer.

Cleats

Cleats are mandatory if you are playing on grass. A good pair should serve you a while. Make sure that they are in good shape and that everything is in place. If they start falling apart, you should probably look for new ones.

If you are not playing on grass, make sure to have the appropriate footwear. It is paramount that you have good footwear as you will be doing a lot of running. The wrong footwear could lead to serious injuries. If you are playing on concrete, get appropriate sneakers, and if you are playing indoors on a softer surface, still have in mind that your footwear should be up to the challenge.

Protective Gear

If you want to play soccer and have no protective gear, you can easily be injured, especially when playing on a full-size soccer pitch. People will tackle and sometimes miss the ball, hitting your shins or ankles. Be sure to have shin and ankle guards handy, as these are mandatory if you want to keep your legs functional for the later stages of your life.

Soccer Ball

Going to practice without one is like going to play billiard without the billiard balls, or any other sport where the ball is the central part of the game. You can use your ball to warm up or as a reserve ball, should anything happen to the main ball. Whether you are going to practice with friends or to train in a local club, have a ball handy, you never know when it might be needed. On that note, some people like having pumps with them, so that should also be taken into consideration.

Gloves

This is a must-have for any goalkeeper. You should never try to play soccer without gloves, if you value your hands and fingers. This is especially true when playing outside in the cold. If the weather is unfavorable, then gloves are mandatory. The same goes for field players who want to keep their circulation going in the right direction. Losing heat through the hands is unnecessary and gloves can solve that, especially for field players who almost never have any on them.

A Training Uniform

Going to practice in a regular cotton shirt can be troublesome. Having separate activewear should be a priority as you will certainly sweat a lot. Even though you might not be running as much as your fellow players, wearing full cotton clothes is going to get really troublesome, especially if you have nothing to change into. Activewear does not stay wet and is washed and dried very quickly.

This is all the soccer equipment you will need for your next practice or game with your friends. Plan ahead to avoid any injuries or discomfort.