Equipment

Football equipment

Football is a simple game in equipment terms, but the details matter — from the studs on a pair of boots to the markings on a match ball. These pages explain what is used, how it is regulated, and what changes between different formats of the game.

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What you will find in this section

This section explains the main pieces of equipment used in football, how they are regulated, and what each piece does in the game.

Football equipment covers the boots, ball, kit and protective gear used by players, the equipment used by match officials, the training gear teams bring to every session, and the goals, nets, flags and markings around the pitch itself. Each of those areas is governed by the Laws of the Game and by additional rules set by individual competitions.

The pages here start with the items a player wears and move outwards to the equipment around them — the ball they play with, the officials who control the match, the gear used in training, and the fixed equipment of the pitch and the goals.

See all 17 Laws of the Game

Equipment guides

These pages cover all the main categories of football equipment.

Equipment guide

Football equipment explained

Football has a short list of equipment compared to most team sports, but the details matter — from the studs on a pair of boots to the markings on a match ball. This guide walks through every part of the kit bag and the matchday setup, in plain English.

Boots

Football boots

Football boots are a personal piece of equipment, but the choice comes down to a clear set of categories — the type of stud, the surface the boot is made for, and the material of the upper. This guide explains each one.

Match balls

Match balls

A football match is played with one ball in play at a time, and the rules around that ball are more detailed than they might first appear. This guide covers ball sizes, the standards a match ball has to meet, and what separates a top-level ball from a training one.

Kit

Football kit and shirts

A football kit is more than a shirt — it is the matching set of shirt, shorts and socks worn by every player on a team, designed to be clearly distinguishable from the opposition and the officials. This guide covers what goes into a kit and the rules around how it can be worn.

Shin guards

Shin guards

Shin guards, also called shin pads, are the only compulsory item of protective player equipment under the Laws. The Laws of the Game require them at every level, and the rules around them are stricter than they look. This guide covers each part of the subject.

Goalkeeper equipment

Goalkeeper equipment

The goalkeeper is the only specialist position on the pitch, and the only player with position-specific equipment. This guide covers the goalkeeper kit, the gloves and the protective gear that the position commonly uses, plus the rules that govern how goalkeepers must be dressed.

Match officials

Match official equipment

Match officials carry their own kit, separate from either team. This guide covers what the referee, assistant referees and fourth official wear and carry, how they communicate with each other, and the technology that supports their decisions.

Training equipment

Training and performance equipment

Training and performance equipment covers the kit a team brings to training and, at higher levels, to matchday. This guide explains the simple drill equipment used by coaches at every level, and the performance trackers that are common in professional and academy football.

Pitch and goals

Pitch and goal equipment

Every football match is played on a pitch with the same basic features — two goals, a set of markings, and a clear boundary. This guide explains the dimensions, the equipment around the pitch, and how different formats of football adjust the setup for different age groups.

Where to go next

Once you understand the equipment basics, the next step is usually to read the relevant rules or look up specific terms.

Read the rules

See how equipment requirements are set out in the Laws of the Game and competition rules.

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Browse the glossary

Use the glossary for quick definitions of equipment-related terms used in match commentary and coaching.

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