As the soccer season begins, all youth soccer players are excited to start playing again. One thing every player needs to remember is that many injuries happen at the beginning of the season.  Many of these injuries can be preventable! Pre-season training, proper warm-up, and proper equipment are all things that can help prevent injuries.  In this blog we will focus on youth soccer equipment.

Soccer Equipment:

Equipment should always be the correct fit for each individual athlete. Don’t use hand-me-downs that are too big or too small. Also, make sure the equipment is soccer specific and appropriate for the surface of play. For example, different shoes are used on artificial turf  versus grass. Proper soccer equipment can be weather dependent, such as if the playing surface is dry or wet.  Proper footwear can aid in the prevention of ankle sprains or more serious injuries such as a torn ACL.

It is important that youth soccer players are not too cold when they are on the sidelines.  Making sure they have a lightweight jacket to keep warm in order to prevent signs of hypothermia.  In Boulder, CO, we are fortunate to have Rocky Mountain Soccer.

A good idea to ensure proper fit of soccer shoes and other equipment is to search online for a retailer that focuses on soccer.  If a soccer-specific retailer is not available in your area, ask your youth soccer coach for a recommendation.

While this is basic information, it is a reminder that investing in proper equipment that fits well can reduce the risk of injury in youth soccer players.

By: Jenny Jurkowski, Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Youth Soccer Coach