All the equipment for the footballer and the club
A match is also prepared outside of the boots and the shirt. The world of football equipment includes balls, bags and luggage, training gear for coaches, protection and care products, as well as everyday accessories, from brands like Select, Hummel, Erima, Mizuno, Macron, or Uhlsport.
From the changing room to the pitch, nothing is missing.
Football balls: size and FIFA label by age
The ball is first chosen based on the player's size. In France, U6 to U9 players use a size 3 ball, U10 to U13 players use a size 4, and size 5, around 68 to 70 centimetres in circumference, becomes the standard afterwards. For competitions, check the label: FIFA's quality program, launched in 1996, issues FIFA Quality Pro, FIFA Quality and FIFA Basic labels after tests for weight, circumference, roundness, bounce, water absorption and pressure loss. Select, founded in 1947 in Denmark by Eigil Nielsen, a former goalkeeper for the Danish national team, remains one of the historical references for footballs.
Footballer equipment families
Each need has its page: Training, match and futsal balls, Bags for sports bags, backpacks and ball bags, Training equipment for coaches with cones, markers and tactical boards, Care items for supports, bandages and recovery products, and Accessories like water bottles, hats and spare studs. The latest arrivals are grouped in New arrivals, and goalkeepers find their gear in Goalkeeper equipment.
Training equipment that structures a session
For a coach, a few tools are enough to build an effective session. Boundary discs, sold in sets like the Erima set of twenty-four, mark out a workshop in seconds and stack in a bag. The tactical board, like the one from Precision designed for futsal, is used to explain positioning at half-time or a combination from a set-piece. For players working on their shooting, a radar like the Sport radar from Carrington displays shot speed and turns the exercise into a challenge. Add a water bottle for each player and a bag for balls, and the pitch is ready to welcome the group.
Protective gear and supports: elbow pads, ankle supports, knee pads
A fragile joint doesn't necessarily stop you from playing, as long as it is supported. The ankle support, like the Select Active, stabilises an ankle prone to sprains without restricting the kicking motion. Compression knee pads Hummel, available in short or long versions, support the joint and muscles during activity, while the elbow support with splints from Select protects an elbow that absorbs falls, especially for goalkeepers. These supports complement a healthcare professional's advice without replacing it and are chosen based on the circumference of the joint measured at rest.
The right time to renew equipment
Major equipment purchases follow the football calendar. Black Friday and the end-of-year holidays are good times for a bag or a match ball, which can be tracked in the Equipment promotions. Winter sales allow replacement of worn-out gear during the break, the French Days in spring gear prepare for the end of the championship, then the summer sales and return to training restock balls and cones, often through Clearance sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ball should I buy for training on synthetic grass?
On synthetic turf, a training ball with a robust cover withstands abrasion better than a high-end match ball. Save the latter for matches and regularly check the pressure of both.
How many cones are needed to run a session?
A set of twenty to thirty discs covers most of a team's drills: delimiting a small pitch, slaloms, passing zones. Plan for at least two colours to distinguish zones or teams during exercises.
What volume of sports bag for football?
A capacity of around forty litres is enough for shoes, a change of clothes, and a towel. A separate compartment for shoes keeps the rest clean, and a bag on wheels like the trolley Hummel lightens the load for the coach carrying the equipment.
How to properly inflate a football?
Moisten the needle before inserting it into the valve to avoid damage, then inflate to the pressure marked near the valve, expressed in bars or PSI. An over-inflated ball strains the seams, while an under-inflated ball distorts the strikes.
Should there be a water bottle for each player?
Yes, that's the simplest hygiene rule to prevent viruses from circulating in a changing room. Packs with bottle holders, like the Carrier from Select, allow a coach to carry and distribute all the bottles for a team in one go.
