Install
Football Gear Guide
What you need to play — and what you don't. Every item opens live shopping results from the 4Football search engine, so prices and availability are current rather than whatever was true when this page was written.
Flag & touch football
Flag belts
Most leagues supply or mandate a specific belt style (pop-socket vs. velcro) — check before you buy.
Football
Composite balls grip better in the wet and cost far less than game leather. Size matters — see our size guide.
Cleats
Molded rubber or plastic studs. Nearly every rec league bans metal spikes.
Mouthguard
Cheap, and the one piece of protection worth wearing even in non-contact play.
Receiver gloves
Tacky palms help in cold or wet weather; they wear out in a season.
Pocketless shorts
Many leagues require shorts without pockets — fingers get caught going for a flag.
Youth tackle football
Helmet
Fit matters more than price. Buy new or properly reconditioned, never a hand-me-down of unknown age, and have a coach check the fit.
Shoulder pads
Sized by chest and weight, and cut differently by position.
Integrated girdle
Hip, thigh and tailbone pads sewn in — far easier for kids than slotted pants.
Practice jersey & pants
Leagues usually supply game uniforms; practice kit is on you.
Cleats
Mid-cut for ankle support. Kids outgrow them in a season, so do not overspend.
Training at home
Agility cones & ladder
The cheapest useful training kit there is.
Kicking tee & holder
Lets a kicker practise alone.
Throwing net / target
Accuracy work for one.
Rebounder / passing machine
For receivers without a quarterback handy.
4Football is not a retailer and these are not endorsements. Helmets and pads are safety equipment: follow your league's rules and the manufacturer's fitting instructions. Ball sizes by age →