A Guide to Soccer Shorts

There are many different kinds of shorts that a soccer player can wear during a soccer game or practice, but clearly the best kinds of shorts are soccer shorts - shorts that are made specifically for the game of soccer.

Soccer-specific shorts are a part of the game. Soccer shorts help a player make the best impression on both his or her teammates and on selectors during a tryout. Of course, soccer shorts do not just make a soccer player look "good." They are also durable and can withstand the rough and tumbles of a soccer game (and there can be plenty of tumbles, tumbles that would rip other shorts or leave them grass-stained). Soccer shorts are also made to be comfortable so that a player can focus on the ball at hand (or, rather, at foot) instead of on his soccer clothing.

Soccer Shorts are made from polyester, but there are two different types to decide between, knit and woven. Woven soccer shorts tend to be more durable and tear-resistant than woven soccer shorts. This quality may be very important to very rough players, or soccer players who spend a lot of time down on the field!

Fit is always important, just as it is in regular clothes. If your shorts don't fit, you aren't going to be very comfortable which may make it harder to concentrate on the game. Also, improperly fitting soccer shorts may not allow the same sort of freedom of movement that properly fitting shorts would.

To know if you have the right fit, measure the inseam (which is from the crotch to the bottom of the soccer shorts). If you are of average size, your inseam should generally measure 5 inches for adult sizes and just 3 to 4 inches for youth sizes. Consider a drawstring and an elastic waist to ensure a proper fit.

Before you go ahead and buy your shorts, you want to think of what potential problems you could have. You don't want to find them out when you're already out on the soccer field. Make sure that the waistband is neither too tight nor too loose. You also want to check out the seams and the waist band to see if they may potentially irritate your skin. Just rub your fingers along the seams to check them out.

And remember: just because baggy shorts may be "in," it does not mean that they are the best short for the game - improperly fitting shorts can hamper mobility. It's better to look good because of your soccer skills than because of your fashionable soccer shorts.

Once you've found the soccer shorts that you think are just right for you, you want to wear them to a practice or two before you test them out on the field, just to make sure that they are just as comfortable as you imagined. And if it turns out that you really like this style and brand, stick to it. Why try out different soccer shorts if you already have the perfect pair?

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, sports, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on soccer please visit Soccer Gear.