Football Gear Checklist

What a youth player needs for tackle or flag, and which pieces the league may already issue.

A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.

  • Football Gear Checklist
  • Mouthguard, plus a backup
  • Mouthguard lanyard
  • Helmet, properly fitted
  • Chin strap
  • Shoulder pads
  • 7-piece pad set
  • Padded football pants
  • Football cleats
  • Practice jersey
  • Flag belt and flags
  • Shorts without pockets
  • Water bottle with straw
  • Athletic bag
  • Football socks
  • Football gloves, optional
  • Clear helmet visor, optional
  • Base layer or padded shirt
  • Hand warmer pouch
  • Football towel
  • League forms and documents
  • Post-practice snack
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Every source puts a mouthguard on the list, and the NFL's flag page suggests a backup pair in the bag. Two, then. Tackle adds helmet, pads, padded pants and cleats. In NFL FLAG, players get a belt, flags and jersey with registration, though some programs require soft-shell helmets. Helmets and pads can come with registration too, so ask before you buy. This list is aimed at youth players and leaves out position-specific extras and brand picks.

Why these items are on the list

  1. Mouthguard, plus a backup. Vettex says it's required at every level. Pack a spare in the bag.
  2. Mouthguard lanyard. Spokane's league wants the mouthguard attached to the helmet with a visible lanyard. Check yours.
  3. Helmet, properly fitted. Spokane issues helmets with registration; Vettex says teams usually do. Your own helmet needs league certification there.
  4. Chin strap. Comes with league-issued helmets in Spokane; aftermarket ones must fit the helmet's attachments.
  5. Shoulder pads. They should sit over the shoulders without riding up. Spokane waits until after 10 hours of non-padded practice.
  6. 7-piece pad set. The NFL's tackle checklist lists a 7-piece pad set separately from shoulder pads. Ask your league what it includes.
  7. Padded football pants. Required for practice and games in Spokane's league, and one pair can do both.
  8. Football cleats. Plastic only in Spokane's league; the NFL says metal isn't allowed in flag. Break them in first.
  9. Practice jersey. Coaches may require a certain colour, so ask before you buy.
  10. Flag belt and flags. Opponents pull flags off the ball carrier's belt. The coach or league usually supplies them.
  11. Shorts without pockets. Keeps flags visible and stops fingers catching when a flag is pulled.
  12. Water bottle with straw. Easier to drink through a helmet. Write the player's name on it.
  13. Athletic bag. Listed for all players, tackle or flag.
  14. Football socks. Also on the NFL's list for every player.
  15. Football gloves, optional. Extra grip, and useful when the weather cools. Not required in flag.
  16. Clear helmet visor, optional. Spokane's league requires clear plastic if you choose to buy one.
  17. Base layer or padded shirt. Optional protection or warmth as the season gets colder.
  18. Hand warmer pouch. Optional, for when temperatures drop later in the season.
  19. Football towel. Useful when the ball and hands get wet.
  20. League forms and documents. Spokane asks for a physical, code of conduct, contract and certified birth certificate copy.
  21. Post-practice snack. Players come off the field hungry. Fruit, granola bars or jerky work.

Tick items off on your phone as they go into the bag, and skip whatever your league supplies. Handy when a parent and a coach are both asking what's still missing.

When to use it

Use it before the first practice of the season, and again when the weather turns cold.

Sources

More lists

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