Complete Football Equipment Checklist for UAE Academies and Schools

A football academy does not need every training aid in the catalogue. It needs enough balls, bibs and markers to keep players active, suitable goals for the session format, and a practical way to store and move everything.

This football academy equipment checklist is designed for schools, clubs and coaching programmes planning group sessions in the UAE. The quantities below are purchasing starting points, not competition regulations. Adjust them for the number of players training at the same time, the number of stations running and the equipment already available at your venue.

Start with the session, not the shopping list

Before requesting prices, record five details:

1. The maximum number of players training at one time
2. The age groups and ball sizes required
3. The number of coaches and simultaneous training stations
4. The surface, storage space and transport available
5. Whether the equipment is for training, matchday use or both

This prevents a common purchasing problem: buying several specialist training aids while still having too few footballs, bibs or markers for ordinary sessions.

The FIFA Football for Schools programme also adapts its activities to the number of children, available equipment and pitch size. That is a better starting point than copying another academy’s order without knowing how its sessions operate.

Equipment quantities by training-group size

This table provides a workable baseline for one group. If two age groups train at the same time, calculate them separately instead of expecting both groups to share one kit bag.

Equipment	Up to 12 players	13–18 players	19–24 players
Training footballs	8	10–12	14–16
Training bibs	12–16 in two colours	20–24 in two colours	24–30 in two or three colours
Cones and flat markers	20–30	30–40	40–50
Portable or mini goals	2	2–4	4 where separate stations are used
Ball pumps	1 plus spare needles	1 plus spare needles	1 per coach or equipment area
Ball or equipment bags	1	1–2	2 or one larger trolley bag

The football count assumes roughly one ball for every two players, with additional balls for demonstrations, goalkeeper work and replacements during the session. A programme built around individual ball mastery may need one per player. A small-sided games session can operate with fewer.

The core football training equipment

Training footballs

For most academies, training balls should take the largest share of the movable-equipment budget. Too few balls create queues and reduce the time players spend working with the ball.

Choose the required sizes before ordering. Do not assume that every age group or competition follows the same progression. Confirm the relevant competition or school-sport rules, then separate the order by ball size.

If the academy also needs match balls, record them as a different line item. This prevents more expensive match balls from gradually disappearing into the general training stock.

For a group of 18 players, 10 to 12 training balls is a practical starting point. Add a pump, spare needles and a ball bag to the same order. CBF’s match and training football collection includes different ball sizes, while custom-branded football orders should be planned separately because quantities and production timing require confirmation.

Bibs in clearly different colours

Two colours cover most team practices. A third colour is useful for neutral players, goalkeepers or rotating stations, but it is not essential for every programme.

Buy enough of each main colour to divide the largest group, then include a few spares. For 18 players, two sets of 10 may be more practical than ordering exactly nine per colour. This leaves replacements available when a bib is damaged, missing or awaiting washing.

Colour selection matters as much as quantity. Choose combinations that remain easy to distinguish under the venue’s lighting and avoid relying on two similar shades. CBF supplies football training bibs in team sets.

Cones and flat markers

Markers define pitches, channels, gates, starting positions and safety areas. Count the layouts your coaches use rather than buying a random mixed pack.

An allocation of 40 markers for an 18-player group can cover a main playing area and several smaller stations. Flat markers work well where players may run across the boundary. Taller cones or superdome cones are easier to see when marking gates, turning points or station boundaries.

Browse CBF’s football cones and markers to compare the available formats.

Keeping marker colours consistent can also make explanations easier. For example, one colour can mark the outside boundary while another marks internal zones or starting positions.

Goals matched to the activity

The right goal depends on the football format, venue and whether the equipment must be moved after every session. A school using one field for several sports has different requirements from an academy with a dedicated football pitch.

Portable goals are useful for changing pitch layouts and coaching across more than one venue. Fixed or freestanding full-size goals are a facility decision involving dimensions, positioning and safe installation.

Do not choose on size alone. Check how the goal will be moved, anchored, stored and inspected.

For general academy training, one pair of portable or mini goals is the minimum useful setup. Four goals provide more options for simultaneous small-sided games or four-goal practices. See CBF’s portable and folding football goals, then confirm the required dimensions before ordering.

Equipment to add after the basics

Specialist equipment should solve a coaching requirement. It should not displace the equipment used in every session.

Agility hurdles, rings and ladders

These products can support warm-ups, foot-placement exercises and movement circuits.

The useful quantity depends on whether the entire squad moves through one circuit or several groups work at the same time. One ladder and a small hurdle set may be sufficient for a single station. Multiple simultaneous stations require duplicates.

CBF groups these products in its hurdles, rings and ladders collection.

Slalom poles and mannequins

Slalom poles can mark dribbling routes, gates and movement patterns. Mannequins are more specialised and are mainly useful when coaches regularly practise free kicks, passing lanes or positional patterns.

An academy should confirm how often that work appears in its programme before purchasing a full set. These products can be compared in the poles and mannequins collection.

Rebounders and target equipment

Rebounders can create repeatable passing, receiving and finishing exercises when coach support or player numbers are limited.

They are an extension of the training setup, not a substitute for enough footballs and goals. Check the available training space and whether the equipment must be carried between venues before selecting a size or format.

Tactics boards and coaching accessories

A tactics board, whistle, stopwatch and clipboard take little storage space and can be shared across sessions.

Academies with several coaches should decide whether these belong to individual coach bags or a central equipment store. A central system costs less, but only works when items are signed out and returned consistently.

Matchday and pitch equipment

Training stock and matchday equipment should be counted separately. Depending on the venue and competition, the matchday list may include:

• Match footballs and warm-up balls
• Corner flags
• Assistant referee flags
• Goal nets and suitable goal anchors
• Line-marking equipment
• Substitution or team shelters
• A separate pump and repair kit

The IFAB Laws cover field-of-play requirements and compulsory player equipment, but competitions can add their own rules. Check the applicable competition requirements before treating a general purchasing checklist as a compliance list.

CBF’s pitch setup and branding collection includes corner flags, line-marking tape, pitch-side equipment and team shelters.

Storage, transport and UAE operating conditions

Equipment that cannot be stored or moved properly will be damaged or left unused. Include the following operational questions in the buying decision:

• Storage: Can goals, footballs and training aids remain at the venue? If outdoor storage is not specifically supported by the product, arrange protected indoor storage.
• Transport: Coaches moving between pitches need carry bags, compact goals and manageable pack sizes. A trolley bag may be more useful than another specialist training device.
• Surface: Check bases, anchors and goal formats against natural grass, artificial turf or indoor flooring.
• Inspection: Assign someone to check ball pressure, nets, frames, anchors and damaged plastic equipment before use.
• Replacement stock: Keep spare pump needles and a small reserve of bibs and markers. Expensive equipment can be replaced when required rather than duplicated without a clear use.
• Lead time: Separate in-stock accessories from custom, manufactured or installation-dependent items. Confirm the required date before approving the quotation.

Example starter list for an 18-player academy group

For one coach running a group of up to 18 players, a sensible first order could contain:

• 10 to 12 correctly sized training footballs
• Two sets of 10 bibs in clearly different colours
• 40 to 50 markers, using a mix of flat markers and visible cones
• One pair of portable goals suited to the intended session format
• One pump with spare needles
• One ball bag and one general equipment bag
• One whistle and one tactics board
• A small hurdle, ring or ladder set when movement circuits are part of the programme

First-aid provision should be planned through the school’s, club’s or facility’s approved safety process. It should not be assumed to be included with a sports-equipment order.

Before ordering, compare the list with what the venue already owns. Goals, corner flags and storage may be provided by the facility, while footballs, bibs and coaching accessories may remain the academy’s responsibility.

How to prepare a useful quotation request

A vague request for “academy equipment” normally creates additional questions. A useful request should include:

• Player numbers and age groups
• Ball sizes and estimated quantities
• Bib colours and sizes
• Goal dimensions and whether portability is required
• Training surface and delivery location
• Required date
• Products needing custom branding
• Items that may be approved or delivered separately

CBF Sports Equipment can combine these details into an itemised quotation. Use the Academy & School Orders form to share the programme size, equipment list and delivery requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment does a new football academy need first?

Start with correctly sized footballs, two colours of bibs, cones or flat markers, a pump, storage bags and goals suited to the session format. Add agility equipment, rebounders and mannequins only when they support activities included in the coaching programme.

How many footballs are needed for 18 players?

Ten to 12 training balls is a practical starting point for many group sessions. Increase that number when players need a ball each or when several stations operate simultaneously. Keep match balls separate from everyday training stock.

How many bibs should an academy order?

Order enough to divide the largest group into two teams, plus a small spare allowance. For 18 players, two sets of 10 provide two colours and two spare bibs.

Should schools buy portable or fixed football goals?

Portable goals suit shared spaces and changing practice layouts. Fixed or larger freestanding goals suit dedicated football areas but require careful planning for dimensions, installation, movement and anchoring.

Can different products be included in one quotation?

Yes. Academies, schools and clubs can request footballs, training equipment, goals, coaching accessories and selected facility products in one itemised quotation. Availability, delivery and any staged requirements should be confirmed before approval.