1. Use a softer ball for younger kids, particularly for heading. Older kids usually prefer a harder ball for striking. 
2. Pickup and press a ball with your thumbs to test/compare the ‘softness’
3. Check for “FIFA Approved’ on higher-end balls
4. Go for reasonably priced balls; a $20 stitched ball is usually sufficient, and less of a loss if misplaced.
5. Check the inner material; Butyl bladders tend to be less expensive and a littler harder, while latex bladders are softer, but do not always hold air as well.
6. Check the difference between laminated (glued together) and stitched, with the     hand-stitched balls being the best.
7. Have a player test the ‘feel’ of the ball.
8. Consider have different balls for various purposes; practice balls and game balls.

Goalie Glove Tips

Choosing Goalie Gloves

1. Look at gloves a size or two bigger than your hands.
2. Make sure the velcro strap around your wrist fastens snugly.
3. Check the stitching carefully.
4. Choose comfortable gloves because you're going to spend lots of time with them on.
   
5. Goalie Gloves do not last very long, so having a backup pair is a good idea.
   
6. Decide your need – White latex has better grip, but the black latex lasts longer

Cleaning Goalie Gloves

1. Concentrate your effort on the insides of the gloves. Goalie gloves don't breathe, so they will smell after use.
   
2. Run lukewarm water.
   
3. Lather up using a mild soap.
   
4. Pull on a glove, cleaning the inside by wiggling your fingers around.
   
5. Rinse, and repeat as necessary.
   
6. Let the gloves air dry.

Soccer Shoe Tips

Care of Soccer shoes

• Tap cleats together or against a hard surface to remove mud stuck to the bottoms.
  
• Clean cleats immediately after use. Wipe soiled cleats with a damp cloth.
  
• Hand-wash if needed.
  
• Apply leather protector (let it soak in), followed by shoe polish , and buff.
  
• Dry naturally or in front of a dehumidifier. Never machine-dry
  
• Stuff drying cleats with newspaper to retain their shape.
  
• Wear your cleats on proper surfaces.
  
• Do not walk with cleats on hard surfaces, such as concrete; it wears them down.
  
• Loosen laces sufficiently before putting cleats on or taking them off to prevent stretching.

Ever get blisters when breaking in new soccer shoes?
(This works best with Leather shoes, but will help on synthetic shoes)

Step 1: Completely soak your new soccer shoes in warm water for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Put on your WET soccer shoes and walk, or jog, around with them for 20 minutes. This will mold the shoes to your feet and make them more comfortable.

Step 5: When the shoes are completely dry, put shoe polish or leather oil on them.

Step 6: Your shoes are ready to wear. Use them only 15-20 minutes at a time for the first 3-4 practices. Bring your old shoes to wear for the remainder of the practice.

Types of Soccer Shoes

Outdoor soccer boots are available with two main varieties of cleats: molded and detachable.

Molded cleats have studs that help form the out sole of a boot, often made from rubber, aluminum or a hard plastic to provide traction and stability. These studs cannot be removed. Molded cleats are often preferred by beginners and kids because they're suitable for general conditions and easier to maintain.

Detachable cleats have studs that are designed to screw in and out so that they can be easily replaced. This allows you to use the optimal stud for different playing field conditions. For example, metal studs are excellent in grass, but are considered illegal in some areas. If a player has detachable cleats, he can simply swap out his metal studs for a different set made from plastic or other material. Detachable cleats are ideal for more experienced players. Beyond cleats, you'll also find soccer boots available for different types of surfaces.

Indoor boots are used on smooth artificial turf, wood or carpeted surfaces, and feature a flat out sole and rubber bottom for better traction.

Turf boots are ideal for harder surfaces such as hard grass fields, rocky areas or artificial surfaces. In these cases, standard soccer cleats won't provide enough traction.

Cleat Styles

You'll find that in general, molded cleats have four studs on the heel and eight on the forefoot. This makes them excellent for natural surfaces that are dry but not rocky. Detachable cleats have two studs on the heel, four on the forefoot. This makes them better for soggy, muddy ground and wet fields. The reduced number of studs means that mud has a harder time caking between them.

Today's cleats have a variety of stud patterns to provide more comfort, better traction, and smoother kicking action. Different manufacturers also provide a variety of stud styles other than the traditional round one, such as blade-shaped or triangular. These are designed to slice the ground more easily during play.

Uppers

Soccer boots are made from different types of leather, from full-grain calfskin to kangaroo leather (more supple and flexible). These leathers mold well to the feet, and stretch to provide flexibility. Boots are also available in polyurethane, vinyl and synthetic leathers. Synthetics are best for beginners. Some boots also have mesh on their topsides.

Synthetic materials are typically less expensive than leather, but are also less durable and less breathable, affecting the wearer's comfort and performance over the long term.

Fitting Soccer Boots

Soccer boots need to be fitted properly. For this reason, Just For Kicks  will not sell boots without a proper fit. This ensures that everyone can play their best (To be properly fitted, please visit our store at 4543 Grand Haven Road, Muskegon Mi.).

For children, boots should be snug, with no more than a thumb's width of space between the toes and the front of the shoes.

If you're a more experienced player or adult, you'll want to make sure your shoes fits closely, which makes it easier to get the feel of a ball. It's important not to buy shoes that are too large, even for kids. Roomy ones can cause blisters and injuries as players trip, twist ankles or catch themselves in the grass. Likewise, the shoes should not be too small. If your shoes feels painful when you put them on, try the next size up.