Even though it might not be thought of as being so, soccer can be a quite dangerous sport. Sure, unlike other contact sports, it might not raise as many threats to the safety and health of a child. However, there are many injuries that can happen on the field. It is your responsibility as a parent to make sure that you do as much as you can to prevent these.
For today’s article, we have prepared a list of protective gear that you should consider if your child is taking up soccer. There are four kinds of protective gear items you ought to have in mind, but we also added some info on everything else you might need to ensure that the kid remains comfortable all throughout the game.
General protective equipment
Before you start looking at cleats or shin guards for toddlers, teens, or any other age, you should know that some players are more exposed to dangers compared to others. Mouthguards are great for protecting the child’s teeth, and if possible, they should be worn by everyone. They can also go a long way in protecting the lips, cheeks, as well as the tongue.
Specialized goalie gloves can make the difference when it comes to the protective equipment that needs to be worn by goalies. They also ought to have pants and shorts with padding, as well as long-sleeved shirts.
Shin guards and socks
Compared to other types of pads and guards used for other contact sports, those manufactured specifically for soccer aren’t very restrictive in terms of the moves that player can make. A quality shin guard will have to mold to the shin and end right below the knee. It also has to fit snugly around the ankle for maximum protection.
Something that we must recommend when you’re trying to figure out what soccer shin guards are the best for your child is that you go to an actual store along with your son or daughter and try out as many models as possible. If you’ve already purchased socks, although we hope you haven’t, you need to make sure that the pads and the socks fit perfectly.
It’s a good idea to get the socks after the shin guards or at the same time so that there are no problems in terms of compatibility.
Soccer cleats
These are very important because they are uniquely made, and they allow the player to benefit from extra traction, regardless the weather or the type of field he or she is playing on. Usually, shoes that come with screw-in cleats have a somewhat higher risk of injury compared to those where you have to mount the cleats separately. The cleats have to fit as best as possible, and they need to be laced up every time the child intends to join the game.
Final tips
Because dehydration is a serious condition, you may have to bring plenty of water with you to make sure that the kid is hydrated properly. Also, make sure that the child stretches and warms up properly before taking the field. Of course, this is the responsibility of the coach, but it doesn’t hurt if you pay attention to these details, too.
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