One of the great things about youth soccer is that it isn't an expensive sport. Here what your child will need:

• Soccer cleats. Soccer cleats are like baseball or softball cleats but the cleats are short and made of rubber (metal cleats are not allowed). Up to the age of 8 or 9, a child doesn't even need soccer shoes and will do perfectly fine in any type of athletic shoe, as long as it fits and provides good support.

• Shin Guards. Soccer is definitely a contact sport. Shin guards help reduce the chance of injury to the shin (tibia), the third-most likely area of the body to be injured playing soccer, according to a recent study.

• Water bottle. Experts advise your child to drink fluids, preferably water, before, during and after practices and games, even in the cold weather, to avoid dehydration, or worse yet, heat illness. Your child should have his or her own personalized water bottle and needs to be reminded to drink 5 to 9 ounces (10 to 18 1/2 ounce "gulps") every 20 minutes during activity, depending on weight  - Teenagers should drink more. Younger children should be given water bottles with marks on the sides showing how much they should drink each time or told how many "gulps" to drink.

• Uniform. Recreational Players can purchase uniforms at Third Coast Soccer (1886 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, LA - phone (985) 237-6100. The uniforms will consist of 2 jerseys, a pair of shorts, and a pair of socks.

• Practice T-shirts and shorts

• Soccer ball. For practicing at home. Remember: soccer balls come in different sizes. Make sure to get the size ball your child is using in games and practices.

1. For Under 8 Players, use a size 3 Soccer Ball.
2. For 9U-12U Players, use a size 4 Soccer Ball.
3. For Players 13 and up, use a size 5 Soccer Ball.

What can you do as a Parent?

• Learn the game.  Watch some soccer games other than your own player's games  STYSA has games from 4U to 19U.
• This is their game, let them play it.  Let them make mistakes - its how they learn.  Thoughts - The coach might be trying to get a right foot dominant player to use his/her left foot.  The coach might be trying to teach the players to pass the ball instead of run into a group of opponents.  The coach could be teaching how to play short ball and long ball.  Let the coach....coach.
• Help during practice.  Ask the coach how you can help. 
• Make sure your soccer player has enough water to drink - before, during and after the game.
• Help with snacks.  Younger players look forward to snacks after the game almost as much as the game itself.
• Gametime - Arrive early, then Enjoy the game.  STYSA Rule: no yelling in the first and 3rd quarters of young athlete games.  Sit back relax and let the soccer player enjoy the game, cheer for both teams and let the soccer players learn from their successes as well as their mistakes.
• Remember that the referees at this age are young and inexperienced.  They will make mistakes.  Also, remember that they too are someone's child.
• After the game, say the following to your child in the car ride home : "I love watching you play soccer".  One of a child’s biggest motivations to play any sport is to make their parents and their team proud. If the first words out of your mouth after a practice or game is “you looked so slow out there,” “you need to play better” or “I can’t believe you missed that shot,” you can watch a player’s motivation sag. Postgame remarks need to be positive, not accusatory or questioning.
• One word - TunnelTime.