Sports are complex. So, no wonder the equipment you use is also just as complex. It’s difficult to navigate what works with you and what doesn’t.
At the end of the day, success and knowledge go hand in hand.
Knowing what you need and like is ultimately going to transfer onto the pitch as well. Having knowledge of what you need is the best preparation when shopping for the correct equipment for you. Every person is different, but SOS will be doing our best to direct you in the right direction as well as adding more detailed posts later on. Here is the top 5 Hacks About Your Equipment.
1: Cleat style for the pitch and position!
How I went 19 years of playing without knowing that certain cleats are better for certain players, positions, and pitches, I am not sure.
I was always a fan of ADIDAS cleats just because of its wider fit. I had no clue that the studs and the layout of the shoe would have any effect on my play. Simply, all I knew was that there are cleats for turf and cleats for grass.
When I moved to France, I was wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Elite 13s for the first time in my life, and I really loved them while I was playing on grass at university. They had long V-shaped studs and they really gripped in to help me cut fast and hard. Unfortunately, when I came to France, hard artificial turf was the main pitch style and I started to frequently sprain my ankles.
Although some hip weakness could have been the culprit, I also realized that my cleats were an issue also. I no longer needed the excessive grip of my studs because I was now getting too stuck in and rolling over my ankles when cutting. I looked back into Adidas and found that firm ground cleats with a rounded type of stud was a better match for the pitch I was on. Not only do the studs matter for the field type but also there are different aspects positionally.
For midfielders’ rounder studs are going to help give you more range of motion, comfort, and stability. So before buying cleats do your research and I suggest buying multiple pairs.
For specific information about cleat style and types go to my post below!
Will be available soon.
2: Newest ankle supports in the game!
Having ankle problems or constant spraining?
The newest equipment on the block is ARYSE XFast for your cleats. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. The XFast are a one-of-a-kind product that has created an easy, versatile ankle support that goes around the cleat. They promise almost full range of motion, little to no resistance, just an exoskeleton brace to give you the extra support you need while still playing competitively.
Although they claim to not weaken your ankles by use, it is 100% recommended that you still do ankle strengthening on the side. I would say never rely on something that your body should be able to do on its own but for players like me who had multiple ankle injuries, it is an incredible product to use while returning from injury and when I was not 100% confident on different types of terrain.
Follow this link to go take a look at their products! My discount code will be available very soon!
3: Shin guard sleeves make life easier
I don’t know why these were never popular when I was a kid, but shin guard sleeves, that you either buy separately or comes with the shin guards are literal lifesavers. You won’t be sliding your shin guards back from the back of your calves if you wear these. If you are in a pinch and don’t have sleeves, well a good quick fix is pre-wrap wrapped around your shin and your shin guard sandwiched between the pre-wrap and your sock. Stays in place pretty well that way too.
These are available at any local soccer store or online at Nike.com or Adidas.com!
4: Sliding around in your shoes? Socks that have grips. GAME CHANGER.
Brands like Tocasox have socks with grips on the bottom of them which helps thousands of elite players stay locked in in their cleats. Honestly even Amazon has a good selection for cheap. We all know the struggles of socks that are too slippery, which leads to a constant slipping around feeling while playing.
Although trying to wear these during games is not likely unless you cut the bottoms of your game socks off, they serve as useful tools during trainings and elsewhere. Find Tocasox on Instagram here or go to their website, or just as easily browse around for other options!
Give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments!
5: Headbands out of baby tights instead of pre-wrap
This is something I picked up when I was in high school playing ODP (Olympic development program) for my state team of Virginia. The girls introduced me to baby tights for headbands. If you go to the store and find baby tights/leggings, they have multiple colors so you can really match with any jersey.
You take the tights and cut them at where the leg starts from the rest. Cut the bottoms so you have a nice straight piece of fabric. You then tie them into a circle, knot it tight, with a little tail hanging out and there you have it! A cute, super stretchy, washable, non-slip headband to keep all your baby hairs back.
Although this list of 5 Hacks About Your Equipment is not comprehensive, or too detailed, I wanted to mention just a couple of little things I have learned along the way. Tell SOS about the hacks you know, below! The soccer world is a community and sharing is caring! More detailed posts are in the works so stay tuned!
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