Youth soccer gear by age: what your child needs

Youth soccer doesn't take much gear, but the rules on a few items are strict. Here's what every player needs, what changes as kids get older, and what Colorado clubs say their uniforms cost. No product picks and no affiliate links: just the rules, with sources.

Soccer ball size by age

US Youth Soccer's playing rules and US Soccer's 2026-27 development standards agree on three sizes. The size is printed on the ball.

• Buy for this season's age group. Age groups now run August 1 to July 31. Not sure which one your child is in? Use our age group chart and lookup, which also has field sizes and game lengths.
• Size 5 is the regulation ball in the Laws of the Game (Law 2), the same size adults use.
• Leagues can set their own rules, so check yours. Ask your coach whether players bring their own ball to practice.

Shin guards: required, and sized by height

Shin guards are not optional. The Laws of the Game list them as required equipment for every player, along with a shirt, shorts, socks and shoes. They must be big enough to give reasonable protection and be fully covered by the socks, and the rules say players are responsible for the size and fit of their own guards.

• Every practice, too. Colorado rec programs say the same thing: the City of Brighton's youth soccer program makes shin guards mandatory for practices and games, and EPYSA's league rules (Strasburg) say shin guards are required.
• Size by height, not age. Under the NOCSAE ND090 standard, each certified shin guard has to be labeled with the height of the tallest player that size is made for. Pick the size that covers your child's height now, and check again every season as they grow.
• High school is stricter. CHSAA plays by NFHS rules. For high school games, shin guards must be professionally made, age- and size-appropriate, worn under the socks, sit no higher than 2 inches above the ankle, carry the NOCSAE seal and height range on the front, and not be altered. Coaches have to certify that players are legally equipped, so check for the seal before high school tryouts.

Cleats, turf shoes and indoor shoes

Shoes are required equipment, and nothing a player wears can be dangerous. Soccer shoes are labeled by the surface they're made for. These are the labels you'll see on the box:

• Youngest kids: sneakers may be allowed. The City of Brighton's program recommends molded soles, allows tennis shoes and bans metal or metal-tipped cleats. FC Brighton lets its U5–U8 players wear soccer cleats or athletic shoes.
• From 7v7 (U9) up: expect real soccer cleats. EPYSA, for example, requires soccer cleats from its 9U division.
• Ask before winter. Some teams train on turf or indoors in the colder months. Ask your coach what surface you'll be on and which shoes the facility allows, so you only buy the pair you need.
• Fit: have your child try shoes on with soccer socks and shin guards, the way they'll wear them.

Goalkeeper gloves and keeper gear

• When keepers start: there are no goalkeepers in 4v4 (U8 and younger). Keepers start at 7v7 (U9), under US Soccer's small-sided standards.
• Gloves are allowed, not required. The Laws of the Game permit gloves and other soft, non-dangerous protective gear. If your child plays goal regularly, ask the coach about gloves.
• Glove sizes aren't standard across brands. Use the maker's own size chart or try them on.
• A different color: each goalkeeper has to wear colors that set them apart from all the other players and the referees. That's why some clubs sell a separate keeper kit (FC Brighton lists one). Keepers may also wear long pants.

What Colorado clubs require: uniforms and kits

Game uniforms are club-specific (club colors and crest, often a required brand), so you buy them through the club's own ordering process, not off the shelf. A few patterns from club pages:

• Many clubs charge for the kit on top of the club fee. Several run it on a 2-year cycle (for example Skyline Soccer Association, Real Colorado and Downtown Denver Soccer Club).
• Some let you reuse or return kits: Vail Valley Soccer Club says prior-year kits may be reused, and Thunder Mountain United SC refunds part of the high school uniform cost when the kit is returned.
• Order early. FC Brighton, for example, says uniforms have to be ordered by its posted deadline to arrive before the first game.

Published uniform costs

This is each club's own wording, from the club page we checked. Prices can change, so confirm with the club.

Uniform extra, price not published

These clubs say a uniform is required or extra but don't publish the price: Not published.

Fully funded: the Colorado Rapids Academy development program says training, uniforms and gear are covered. Building a full-year budget? Add the kit to the cost calculator's uniform line and see our budgeting guide.

Layers for Colorado weather

Under the Laws of the Game, a long-sleeve shirt worn under the jersey has to be one color that matches the main color of the jersey sleeves (or copy the sleeve pattern exactly). Tights or undershorts have to match the main color of the shorts, and the whole team wears the same color. So buy cold-weather layers in team colors.

No jewelry. All jewelry has to come off for games, and taping over it isn't allowed under the Laws of the Game.

Sources

• IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 4: The Players' Equipment
• IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 2: The Ball
• US Soccer: Laws of the Game 2026/27 for US referees
• US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, Rule 303 (June 23, 2026)
• US Soccer 2026-27 player development matrix
• NOCSAE ND090 soccer shin guard standard (section 13, labels)
• NFHS soccer uniforms guide (revised Aug 3, 2026)
• CHSAA 2026 Girls Soccer Bulletin
• EPYSA (Strasburg, Colorado) league rules
• City of Brighton youth soccer parent information
• FC Brighton uniforms page

Rules and sources last checked 2026-10-27. Club uniform rows show the date we last checked each club's page. See an error? Email a correction.

Related: Age group chart · Budgeting guide · Total cost calculator · Colorado club costs by tier · Colorado tryouts calendar · All parent guides