During my daughters last season of rec soccer, she started volunteering to be the goalie. You know how that goes…the coach says “who wants to be goalie?” and then kids either volunteer and they rotate in and out, or the coach picks someone. Bella made that easy for him and volunteered every time. In the beginning, we joked that she did it because she didn’t want to run. Maybe that was true then, but now, as she goes into her third season as the teams goalkeeper exclusively, we can honestly say that she loves being a goalie. Soccer goalkeeper is definitely in her blood!
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One of the most important things you can get your goalkeeper is a mouth guard. The very first game Bella wore her mouth guard, she got kicked in the face. She now wears it every single time she sets foot on the field in goal. She is partial to the mouth guards with fangs. Her dad and I joked with her that she should run out and growl at people to scare them!
TapouT Youth Special Edition Fang Mouth Guard, Red/White
Over the course of the last few seasons, we’ve had to purchase a few pairs of goalkeeper gloves. We’ve gone to several stores, trying on all the gloves the store has and each time, Bella walks out with a pair of gloves from the same brand. The one thing you want to look for is that the gloves have finger saves in them. Protect those fingers at all costs!
Vizari Avio F.R.F Glove, Blue/Green, Size 7
Some goalkeepers where the opposite jersey from their team. Others pick up a goalie jersey. We always got a goalie jersey with padding in the arms for her. This year we are looking at the Bodyshield Storelli shirts. With all the diving and hitting the ground that a goalkeeper does, this shirt is the perfect protection for their ribs, shoulders, etc. Also, with this Bodyshield Storelli shirt, Bella can wear any shirt over top of it. It’s cooler in the warm months and she can layer a little more during the colder months. Definitely take a look at it. They also offer some other items you may want to check out:
Youth BodyShield Leg GuardStorelli Sports BodyShield Ultimate Protection GK Shorts, MediumExoShield Head Guard
I’m glad that she loves being a goalkeeper so much. I will say, as a goalie mom, it is SOOOOOOO stressful! Every single time the ball is on her end of the field, I have a pit in my stomach and I am a bundle of nerves until that ball is back on the other end! Thankfully, she is cool as a cucumber. It doesn’t matter if they are up by a lot or losing, she gives it her all 100% of the time. That is a trait that she definitely gets from her father! There is no way I could be a goalie and have all that pressure.
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about us soccer moms! We need to represent too!
Brandy says
My husband is very much into soccer and he is hoping that my son will be too! This is a great post for those that are thinking about going into the sport. I think it gives a good idea of what it’s going to cost for the equipment.
Marysa says
I am a swim mom, so I have to say I don’t really know anything about soccer! Sounds like you would definitely want the right equipment for a soccer goalie. Makes it easy to shop when you need the essentials.
Leah Kanaan says
I was a competitive swimmer from age 8 to 18…you don’t know how badly I wish that one of my kids wanted to be a swimmer!!
Jess Benoit says
We aren’t a ‘sporty’ family at all. I do think that the mouthguards are extremely important to keep those teeth safe & healthy!
Scott says
Around here, they make the real young ones wear a mask. I guess too many took a ball straight to the face!
Rosey says
I didn’t know you could get gloves with finger savers in them. I will look for those when soccer starts back up for us.
Leah Kanaan says
Yes! They are the best! Really protects those fingers.