The bag itself
A single bag that holds everything below, that you can carry in one trip from car to pitch — sounds obvious, but a kit bag that requires two trips (or gets left partially behind) defeats the point. A holdall or rucksack with room to spare for a first-aid kit and bibs is the right size.
What's actually in it
- Balls — enough for "one each" at your squad size, appropriately sized for your age group (see our equipment guide).
- Cones — a set of at least 20, ideally in 2-3 colours for quick visual instructions ("everyone to a yellow cone").
- Bibs — two colours minimum, enough for half your squad each.
- First-aid kit — see our injuries guide for what's actually useful.
- A whistle — for getting attention across a noisy pitch; not for refereeing your own training.
- Spare items — a spare ball (punctures happen), spare bibs, and a small towel.
What's genuinely optional
Goals (often provided at your venue — check before buying), a coaching board (useful but not essential — see our dedicated guide), and anything marketed as "professional" or "elite" — grassroots coaching needs functional kit, not aspirational kit.
Keeping it organised
A bag where everything has a "place" — cones in one section, bibs in another — means setup and pack-down are faster, and you're less likely to arrive missing something. Five minutes packing the bag the night before a session beats discovering a missing item on the pitch.
The one thing coaches forget most
Water — for yourself, not just players. A coach who's dehydrated and flagging by the end of a session is less effective and less patient than one who's looked after themselves too. It's an easy thing to deprioritise while focused on everyone else, and an easy fix.