Soccer Gifts - NASA Tophat Junior Academy Girls

our Caterpy Club

Here are some items we’ve seen in secret photos from Santa’s workshop (November 2023) that are sure to bring joy to soccer players!

Just in case there are supply chain issues with items headed to / from the North Pole, we have include links to on-line suppliers. If you prefer to shop locally, check our soccer stores link for a list of local suppliers.

Kick-back walls and rebounders:

We think a rebound device is the best piece of backyard training equipment.

First, it can act as a partner: one player can stay busy and productive while the rebounder acts as her teammate.
Second, it offers instant feedback: if a player strikes a good pass into a rebounder, the rebounder will return a good pass. If a player sends a weak (“soggy”) pass to the rebounder, the rebounder will return a weak pass.
Third: it’s a great way to work on improving ball receiving skills (“first touch”), which makes possession possible.

Kwik Goal rebound net:

The Kwik Goal AFR-2 rebounder is an always-available training partner. It’s good for solo practice, or it can also be used by 2-4 players for rebound games or soccer tennis. It’s not cheap, but it’s high-quality and is portable, durable and versatile. (We had four of these in regular rotation back at Noonday Park in 2001 and 2002, but they disappeared and were sadly missed. Portability has its benefits and downsides.)

Kwik Goal also offers a rebounder (the V.A.T. Board) that uses a board instead of a net.

The NTH webmaster (Julie Kish, julie.kish@nasatophat.com) happens to be an authorized Kwik Goal dealer. You can order Kwik Goal products from her at a significant discount below retail price.

Tekk trainer:

The Tekk trainer is designed to train ball striking and receiving. We tried one out during our 2013 Spring Break mini-camp (thanks Allyson and “Keisha Fire”). We like it!

“Soccer Wave” rebounder:

Nov. 2023 update: This product seems to have gone extinct. A variation of a standard rebounder, the Soccer Wave is a curved device that returns the ball less predictably than a standard rebounder. It’s more suited to training first touch and receiving air balls than ball striking itself. An optional kick-back panel is available to help with ball striking and receiving ground balls. (Nov. 2017 update: The Soccer Wave appears to have been replaced by a more portable Soccer Wave Jr.)

SKLZ soccer rebounders:

SKLZ offers three different rebounder models. We’ve yet to try one in person. Link: SKLZ soccer rebounders (also available on Amazon or Soccer.com)

FootyBoard rebound board:

The FootyBoard was invented / created by Becca Moros, who plays in the NWSL pro women’s league. It’s a board, that when attached to a chain link fence, becomes a multi-angle kick-back wall.

Link: FootyBoard web site

Goals:

We prefer rebound devices over goals for individual backyard play. But at some point, you may want real goals for 1v1 or small-sided play.

We give a nod to the Bownet goals for this purpose. We have two 3×5 Bownet goals that we use for 1v1 up to 5v5 play. Link: video showing the setup process

Spirit wear and apparel:

NTH spirit wear:

Our uniform supplier also sells NTH Fan Wear: hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts and more.

USA Soccer:

Replica jerseys, scarves, patches, posters, glassware and more. Links:

Gloves:

There are gloves for field players and goalies. Field player gloves are for cold days; they have grippy palms to help hold the ball for throw-ins. Goalie gloves have latex palms for padding and grip.

Specialty soccer balls:

Soft soccer balls (for playing inside the house):

Here’s a soft soccer ball suited for indoor (“inside the house”) play. It’s also a good “intro to heading” ball for older Academy players.

The ball has a bladder like regular soccer balls, but the bladder is covered by soft foam, then fabric. This results in a soft and light ball which behaves much like a regular soccer ball, but won’t dent walls or garage doors, and won’t break furniture. Link: item available from Amazon

Fall 2023 update: The Tachikara ball seems to have disappeared. Here’s an Amazon link to a ball that has a similar “play indoors safely” purpose. (We don’t have any 1st-hand [or 2nd hand] experience with this ball.)

SKLZ “Golden Touch” technique training ball:

This product puts the weight and feel of a size 5 soccer ball into a size 3 ball. This is a good ball-striking training aid for girls who struggle to make firm, accurate kicks. (But this ball is not a good general purpose ball.)

The extra weight punishes poor kicking technique, but forgives bad dribbling and receiving touches. Don’t let anyone head this ball! Available at local sporting goods suppliers, or on-line via SKLZ or Amazon.

Brasilian skills balls:

Several of the girls have taken a shine to the “little blue” and “littler red” Brasilian futebols we occasionally bring to practice. The balls are also known as Mercur balls. A recent web search for Mercur balls brings up a bunch of Brazilian sites, but we didn’t see a US supplier in the results.

June 2018 update: After some research, we learned that the US company owner (“Coach Dan”), a much-loved soccer coach in his community in California, died of a heart attack while training. We send our condolences to his family and all of the players he inspired.

Other items:

Check out www.soccer.com (a.k.a. Eurosport) for all sorts of soccer gear.
Stocking stuffer: Caterpy laces (https://caterpy.us) or Lock Laces (www.locklaces.com) They are available in lots of colors, are easy to use, and they work! (Coaches give Caterpy laces a higher grade than Lock Laces.) They are available on-line direct or via Amazon. Running stores may also carry them. If you choose Caterpy laces, we recommend ordering the standard size.
What does a giraffe have to do with soccer? Good question! Our mascot is an imaginary giraffe named Cecil. His stuffed nephew LiCec and niece SisCec visit us on occasion. The girls love them!

: Caterpy laces

: our Caterpy Club

: Lock Laces

: LiCec (nephew of our imaginary mascot Cecil)

All links verified 11/22/2020