Soccer Training Bag Checklist for Young Players

Nothing derails a session like a forgotten water bottle or the wrong shoes, especially when the family has driven a long way to get there. A packed, checked bag is one of the simplest things a young player can own, and it builds the habits of preparation and responsibility that good coaches value. Print this soccer training bag checklist, tape it inside the bag, and let the player do the packing.

Every session

• Water bottle, labelled with the player's name and filled before leaving home.
• Shin guards, plus socks long enough to cover them.
• The right footwear for the surface (see below).
• Training top and shorts. The free academy T-shirt included with every program works well.
• A ball, if the coach has asked players to bring one. Write the player's name on it.
• Hair ties for long hair, and sock tape if the player uses it.
• A small towel and a plastic bag for wet or muddy kit on the way home.

Footwear: match the shoe to the surface

All Stars players train indoors on turf in a dome and outdoors on grass, so footwear changes through the year:

• Grass: soccer cleats with moulded studs suit most young players.
• Artificial turf: turf shoes or cleats designed for artificial grass. Check with the coach if you are unsure.
• Getting there: wear ordinary shoes or winter boots in the car and change at the field, which keeps mud and salt out of the training area.

Shoes that fit properly matter more than an expensive brand. Kids grow fast, so check fit every couple of months and ask the player if anything rubs or pinches.

Outdoor season extras

• Sunscreen and a hat for warm, bright sessions.
• A warm layer for cool evenings and early spring.
• A light rain jacket.
• A spare pair of socks for wet days.

Indoor and winter extras

• Turf shoes in the bag, winter boots on the feet.
• A warm jacket, hat and mitts for the walk from the parking lot.
• Extra water: indoor air in winter can be dry, and players still sweat.
• A dry top to change into before the drive home.

For parents: the things that get forgotten

• Medical information. Tell the coach about allergies, asthma or any condition they should know about, and pack any inhaler or medication the player has been prescribed.
• Emergency contacts written down in the bag as well as stored in your phone.
• A simple snack for after training, especially if the drive home is long.
• A winter kit in the car: blanket, scraper and brush, phone charger.
• Carpool details. If you share the drive, keep every family's phone number handy. Our guide to organising a soccer carpool from west of Ottawa covers the rest.

Goalkeepers: a few extras

Young players who like to try in goal need a little more in the bag:

• Goalkeeper gloves that fit snugly. Rinse them in cool water after use and let them air dry away from heaters.
• A long-sleeved top and, for outdoor sessions, padded shorts or track pants to protect elbows and hips from scrapes.
• A second pair of gloves for wet days, if you have one.

What to leave at home

A good bag is also a light bag. Leave behind:

• Jewellery and watches. Earrings, necklaces and bracelets should come off before training for safety, so it is easier to leave them at home.
• Valuables that would be a problem to lose, such as expensive headphones.
• Sugary drinks in place of water. Plain water is the right default for a training session.
• Last season's gear that no longer fits. Shin guards and shoes that are too small do not protect properly and can cause blisters.

Caring for the kit between sessions

A good bag is only as good as what goes back into it. Wet or muddy gear left zipped up overnight starts to smell and can damage shoes, so make unpacking part of the routine as soon as you get home. Take everything out, let shin guards and shoes air dry away from direct heat, and put the training top and socks straight into the wash. Knock mud and turf pellets off the shoes outside, and stuff wet shoes with newspaper so they keep their shape. Rinse and refill the water bottle the same evening, so it is ready for the next session.

Once a month or so, empty the whole bag. Check shin guards for cracks and broken straps, look at the studs and the stitching on shoes, and make sure the ball still holds its air. Growing players can outgrow shoes and shin guards quickly, so a quick fit check now saves a scramble before training. Plan to replace worn or outgrown items at the start of each season rather than on the morning of a session.

Build the packing habit

For younger players, pack the bag together for the first few weeks, then hand it over. For older players, make it their job entirely. A few tips that help:

• Pack the night before, not five minutes before leaving.
• Empty the bag after every session: wash kit, dry shoes, refill the bottle.
• Keep a short list on the inside of the bag lid and let the player tick it off.
• If something is forgotten, let the player tell the coach themselves. It is a small lesson in responsibility, and coaches respect it.

Leave time for the drive

A packed bag only helps if you arrive with enough time to change and settle. Rural routes from places like Woodlawn, Constance Bay, Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta and Braeside can be slower in bad weather, so plan a buffer. Our guide to getting to soccer training in Kanata explains highway and back-road options, the Terry Fox Drive exit and winter planning, and the drive times page shows your community's route.

Tournament days need a bigger bag

A full day of games needs more than a normal session: extra kit, more food and water, and something for waiting between matches. Our youth soccer tournament preparation guide includes a tournament-day packing list.

Ready to start?

Look through our development and competitive programs to find the right fit, then register your player with All Stars. The academy T-shirt comes with every program, so that is one item already ticked off.