Soccer Uniform - The Basics

A quality soccer uniform makes a team look and feel great, is durable enough to survive even the toughest playing conditions, and creates group solidarity. It should be comfortable to wear and be able to absorb sweat, helping regulate a player's body temperature. Soccer uniforms can be customized for team individuality, or a team can order and wear copies of their favorite professional soccer players' uniforms.

Soccer is a great way to get kids active and teach them about teamwork and cooperative play. Here are some of the things a little soccer player will need to complete his or her soccer uniform:

Jersey

Youth soccer jerseys come in many colors and patterns, usually with one dominant color and an accent stripe on the sides and sleeves. Colors can be specialized, or chosen from a list provided by a soccer supply company. The sleeves are short, the neck either rounded or v-neck, and the fabric is made from polyester, cotton blends, or nylon. Some soccer uniforms have a pattern knitted into the fabric, making it flashy. It's important for jerseys to be lightweight, durable, breathable, and be able to hold their color without fading.

Shorts

Soccer uniform shorts should offer the player plenty of support without being too tight or restricting. Side meshing allows for airflow and a drawstring at the waist band allows for a perfect fit. Soccer shorts are usually made of polyester, are either knit or woven, and have an inseam of 3-4 inches for youth sizes. It's important for soccer shorts to fit comfortably, never rubbing the skin raw or restricting motion. Shorts that are too loose will also hinder a player's running ability.

Cleats

Comfortable and well-fitted cleats are an essential part of a soccer uniform. Poor fitting cleats lead to blisters, sprained ankles, and falls. When buying a child cleats, make sure that they fit comfortably even with their socks and shin guards in place and take weather and playing conditions into consideration.

Socks

Socks may not seem very significant, but they can make or break a soccer uniform. Good socks keep a player's feet dry, warm, and protected from blisters. Synthetic material works best for soccer socks, because traditional cotton socks soak up sweat and stay wet. This can lead to blisters. Quality socks make soccer cleats more comfortable and cushion feet from the ravages of constant running.