Q&A for How to Dress for Soccer

Yes, but cleats are better for soccer because you won't slip and fall.

So you don't burn up. You run a lot in soccer, and it's usually outdoors. Also, pants can rip more easily and make it harder to move.

No. The shin guards are there for your safety. Getting kicked in the shins can hurt.

Your shorts should be about as long as team basketball shorts, they are also more comfortable then shorter shorts, which can get uncomfortable when running or kicking the ball.

A hat and a long sleeved Under Armour shirt and compression pants/leggings under your shorts. Then wear the cleats, socks, and shin guards as normal.

Yes, it is. You should let them know that you aren't comfortable with them doing that. If your coach is a different gender than you, you should DEFINITELY tell a trusted person.

You can wear leggings or long underpants. Consider wearing sport leggings; they are specifically designed to wick away sweat and keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.

The socks that reach your knee, and are most commonly used in soccer, are called "knees socks." The socks that reach half way up your calf are called "crew socks."

No, but you can usually wear leggings under your shorts.

It is not recommended, because another player could easily grab your scarf and hurt you. If you are very cold, consider wearing a turtle neck under your jersey. Keep in mind that, as you move around, your body will heat up and you won't feel the cold anymore.

There is no need for a protective cup at all. Given the amount of running, turning and jockeying, it might become a severe inconvenience.

You can try to buy lighter, more comfortable shin guards but if that is not possible try to take control of the ball with your hands with the use of your gloves. If the place where you play requires shin guards try to get used to the extra weight by exercising or simply walking around with them on when you're not playing.

Yes, but keep in mind that as you move around, you are going to get warmer.

It depends on the shin guards you get as some are meant to be worn under socks and others are meant to be worn over them. In general, I would recommend putting them over your socks.

You can wear either, but the athletic shirts are designed with sports in mind to breathe better and absorb sweat, so if you have one, you'll probably be more comfortable wearing that.

If you want to wear shin guards, then you should wear long socks to keep the shin guards up. If you don't have shin guards, you don't need to. Most times in leagues, you need to have shin guards; if you don't, wear long socks because if you're getting a uniform, it will have long socks that go with it.

No, they do not. I usually wear Nike running shorts, and they definitely do not go to the knee.

You may wear long- or short-sleeve undershirts; in cold weather, wear a sweatshirt or coat.

You can just put soccer socks on like regular socks, although you may want to tape them around the top to keep them from sliding down.

Try different brands and stick with whatever you're comfortable with.

You can wear your hoodie on top of your team jersey if it has your soccer number on it, or you can put a long sleeve shirt on underneath your jersey.

No, it only matters if your coach or league requires certain color cleats.

I think you might mean a body warmer. A body warmer has long sleeves and is really tight.

If it restricts your movement in any way, or risks tripping you or others, you shouldn't wear it. Otherwise, as long as there aren't any rules preventing you from wearing it during a game, then yes. I would cover it with your socks though.

No, unless your team specifically requires you to do so.

No, you don't need a cup for soccer. If anything, it will just give you a rash from the constant sliding.

That might be a little uncomfortable, but there is no rule against it.

You can wear a sweatband of any color, there's nothing against it in the rules. Wristbands or bracelets wouldn't be allowed for safety reasons.

Yes. In most -- if not all -- leagues, soccer socks are a requirement.

Practice having quick reactions to the ball. The ball flies really fast and sometimes you will not have time to decide if the ball is going right or left. Sometimes goalkeepers watch the striker to pick up on clues to which side he is going to shoot. It's mostly down to practice but it also helps having a good coach who is in agreement with you that you'll make a good goalkeeper some day.