Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

My almost 4 year old DD is going to be starting soccer soon and needs a soccer ball and shin guards. 2 questions:

1. Where is the best place to get shin guards? Do I get the hard shell ones, or the ones that look like socks?

2. For the soccer ball, my DD saw a princess one that she liked. Do the kids tend to have all different colors/styles or stick to the regular black and white ball.

Sorry, meant to put this on Parenting, but open to any responses here too!

Message edited 4/15/2013 12:39:54 PM.

Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

We got the hard shin guards at target for cheap.. I didn't get the soft ones because socks come with our uniform. Everybody that I have seen have different colored balls but I know most of the girls on DS' team have pink regular soccer balls.. Not character ones. HTH!

Re: Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

In our league, the socks came with the uniform, but for the first few seasons my daughter played, I used the black Nike shinguard/socks. They were more comfortable for her. No one said anything about the color (black vs. the league color socks). I've seen the girls, especially the younger ones, with every color pink/purple/sparkle ball under the sun. It's just used for practice anyway. Let her choose what she wants :)

Re: Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

We have both the hard ones with velcro and the sock ones. The velcro ones are good on cold days (go over leggings) or really hot days (too hot for the socks). When it is nice out DDs wears shorts and the socks. I see kids wearing all different things. One thing to keep in mind the socks are bulky and can be tight in the cleets.

We don't get balls. They provide them both with the Sat soccer we do now but also when we did us sports institute.

I would get something different if for no other reason it will be easy for your DD if her ball is different to keep track of it. They have cute pink and white ones.

Re: Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

MOdells has a package deal...shin guards, ball, cleats. This is what we did.

Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

Port Jeff Sports sells the shin guards - my dd is 3 1/2 and we have the hard ones. I dont think it matters whats on the ball just make sure its the correct size

Oh, and everyone one her 3 year old preschool team has cleats. I say this bc I thought she was too young but apparently they are not lol

Re: Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

My husband is a soccer player, so he made all the choices, but he wanted the hard shin guards that have the fabric sleeve that holds them on...my kids also have different colors of soccer balls (its easier to find yours on the field that way) but he wanted a good brand so that they lasted. Also, make sure you get the right sized ball for her age and size.

Re: Random questions for those with young kids that play soccer

Make sure you have the right size ball!
Probably a 3 at her age. My 4 and 6 year olds still use size 3s.