Brooke Eubanks always told us at Stanford “Look good, feel good, play good.” It applies on and off the field, for both field players and goalies. While I’m a huge fan of individuality and goalies being different, there is truth to this saying. Most times, you can actually pick out a good goalie from the swag — I wish I was kidding. How do you have swag? Here’s the checklist.

1. Helmet fit - on your helmet, you want to adjust your chinstrap to look out the top holes. This creates tilt so your helmet is upright, and also functionally will cover the most sun. Wearing your hair in a low braid, ponytail, or bun helps too!

2. Always have a pinnie. Not only do you get to rep your team, but you also get your chest protector covered. If you have one with velcro like I did, it’s a necessity to save your arms from scratches. Here’s what you don’t want:

3. Cover the leg pads! Leg pads for girls are a necessary evil. I still don’t understand why girls goalies at the youth level are required to wear them and boys aren’t…more so that boys aren’t required than the fact that girls have to. But I digress….Do I like them? Mixed feelings. I always felt like they were slowing me down (although I think that was in my head). However, I’ve heard stories about goalies having to get surgery to correct the damage done to their shins. For this reason, I think it’s a good idea for goalies to wear them until college, at which point they can choose. Definitely recommended at minimum for practice, because we know they limit the swag. Sometimes without any protection we don’t go as hard to ball, and so even a little protection helps mentally. However, the best way to fix that is sweats or at minimum have an extra pair of shorts ready to put over the thigh pads. The sweats even on their own acted as an extra layer of protection mentally, but also physically from the skimmers on the inner thigh (WOAT). Yes, the thigh pads do nothing but for the younger girls you have to wear them so might as well practice how you play and get used to it. Sometimes, as displayed below, you can use soccer shin guards and wear higher socks over them to make it look better!

4. Be creative and show your own style. Everyone has their signature style and ways to add more swag to your game day look. Whether it’s hairstyle, eye black, shoe laces, or socks, make it you! Ultimately, these are guidelines and however you feel the most confident, that’s how you should play! Always remember - #goaliesrule