| One of the things that make soccer such a wonderful | | | | even mud). When buying soccer cleats, make sure |
| sport for the average sports fan is the fact that you | | | | they fit correctly - snug, but not tight, and choose the |
| don't need any fancy or expensive equipment to play. | | | | style that best suite the weather conditions and |
| That may be one of the main reasons why soccer is | | | | physical terrain in which you'll be playing. |
| the world's most popular sport to date. It' fun, it's easy | | | | Shin Guards. |
| and it's cheap! Whether you are 8, 18 or 80, you can | | | | Although not required equipment, especially for informal |
| enjoy a game of backyard soccer with only: | | | | neighborhood play, shin guards are a great way to |
| Ball - this can be a standard soccer ball, or another | | | | protect player's legs from injury. Attack players usually |
| type of kicking ball. | | | | prefer lightweight shin guards that offer more mobility, |
| Open space to play - no matter where you live: the | | | | while defensive players prefer a tougher more durable |
| desert; the jungle or somewhere in between, soccer | | | | style. |
| can be played as long as its fairly open (this helps to | | | | Goal Keepers Gloves. |
| avoid broken windows from straying balls). | | | | Many goalkeepers prefer to wear a specialized |
| A few friends - even though you can always kick the | | | | playing glove to get a better grip on the ball as well as |
| ball around yourself, soccer is more fun to play with a | | | | save fingers, joints and the palms of the hands from |
| group of 2-20. | | | | harm. |
| Lots of energy - soccer is a fast-paced game of | | | | Goalposts. |
| perpetual movement, so make sure you have plenty | | | | Unless you're playing an official league game, ad-hoc |
| of energy and are ready for some exercise before | | | | goalposts can be anything: trees, cars, playground |
| you head out to play. | | | | equipment, even people! |
| Even though there is very little in the way of | | | | Uniform. |
| equipment you need to play soccer, there are a few | | | | Although soccer can be played in any comfortable |
| items that some players find helpful if you can afford it, | | | | clothing, most players prefer to play in shorts (usually |
| especially when playing on a more formal team. | | | | knee-length); a cotton jersey and thick high socks |
| Soccer Ball. | | | | (usually to the knee) to help protect the calves and |
| While soccer has been played in some parts of the | | | | legs from injury. |
| world with a variety of kick balls, tin cans, or basically | | | | As you can see, even players who purchase a full |
| any item that can be "kicked around," most players | | | | uniform and the standard soccer equipment can do so |
| prefer a regulation soccer ball to make play easier and | | | | for a minimal investment compared to most other |
| safer. | | | | sports. But don't let an inability to buy long socks, cleats |
| Cleats. | | | | or a colored jersey stop you from enjoying this |
| Cleats (spiked shoes), can be one of the most | | | | wonderful sport. There are players everywhere who |
| important pieces of equipment for team soccer | | | | play only a ball and their friends every day all over the |
| players since they help the players stay balanced no | | | | world! That's what makes soccer so great. |
| matter what the ground surface (sand, dirt, grass or | | | | |