American Football FAQ

For games you need a helmet with a mouthguard, shoulder pads and padded pants with seven pads. Football gloves and football cleats can give you a real advantage in practice and in games. Shop cleats and gloves.

There's no single answer, because position, size, weight and above all the shape of your foot all play a big role. Trying them on in one of our stores is always the safest option. If that isn't possible, give one of our stores a call and ask about the fit. From experience, our staff can tell you whether a shoe runs narrow, wide, stiff or soft.

A complete game-ready starter kit consists of a helmet, shoulder pads, full pants with seven pads and gloves if needed. Depending on the helmet and pads you choose, and on whether you need youth or adult equipment, you can expect to pay between €450 and €650 on average.

Pads or girdles are the padding in your pants, and they are mandatory for games. There are different types of padded pants: models with five pads (also called girdles) plus separate knee pads, or pants with a full set of seven pads.

No. Online availability doesn't reflect the actual stock in our stores. Our four stores often have a wider range and additional products that are no longer available online. It's worth calling a store directly or dropping by.

There's no single best glove, because hand size, finger length and a wide back of the hand all matter. Your position matters too: skill positions such as wide receivers usually prefer unpadded gloves with lots of grip, while linemen more often wear padded gloves such as the Nike D-Tack, which also have extra padding on the palms. Ask your teammates or give one of our stores a call.

This is probably the question we hear most in our stores. With helmets, finding the right fit for your head is what matters most. Helmets are built differently, so not every model suits every head shape – and the most expensive helmet isn't always the one that fits best. If you can't visit one of our stores, it often helps to try on different helmets within your team and see how they sit. In our stores we can give you in-depth advice on the different helmet features. If you can reach one of our four stores, we especially recommend visiting for your first purchase.

The most widely worn helmet brands are Vicis, Schutt and Riddell. Other brands on the market include Light and Xenith.

Skull caps make your helmet sit comfortably, absorb sweat and keep your hair in place so it doesn't get in the way in practice or games. They can also reduce friction and make the helmet more comfortable to wear.

A back plate is especially useful for skill positions such as wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs. It adds protection for the lower back, above all against hits from behind. If you also want protection on the sides and around the ribs, add a rib protector, which covers the sides and back at the same time.

Choosing between youth and adult equipment depends largely on height, build and weight – not just on age, as is often assumed. Youth equipment may be worn up to U19 but has to be replaced in adult football, where it is no longer permitted. Because of their size, weight and build, some players already wear adult helmets or adult shoulder pads at youth level, and can keep using them after moving up. For younger players at U10, U13 and U16 level there are youth helmets and youth shoulder pads. From around 16 to 18, switching to adult equipment can make sense if height, weight and build allow it – that way you avoid replacing your gear again one or two years later. This is a recommendation, not a requirement. Also note that some shoulder pad models come with the manufacturer's own age or size recommendations. If you're unsure, contact one of our stores or visit us – we'll give you the best possible advice.

No, and it's a mistake we unfortunately see quite often. Facemasks are made for specific helmet models. An F7 facemask, for example, won't automatically fit another Schutt helmet, let alone a helmet from a different brand. So always check which helmet model a facemask is made for. If you're unsure, send us a message or give one of our stores a quick call.

The ball size depends on your age group: U10 plays with a Peewee ball, U13 with Junior, U16 with Youth and U19 and up with the official size. For games and advanced players, a leather ball is the first choice. For practice and recreational play, composite balls are more durable and cheaper. If you're unsure which ball suits you, just ask us in one of our stores.

Come the way you play: with your usual hairstyle and, if you wear one, your skull cap. If you already have shoulder pads, bring them along and we'll check right away that helmet and pads work well together. You don't need an appointment, but it can get a bit busier at peak times such as Saturdays.

Our gloves come with a size chart you can use as a guide. It only gives a rough estimate, though, because a size chart can't show hand volume or the ratio of finger length to hand width. Especially if you have long, slim fingers or a wide hand, a glove can fit differently even in the right size. In general, gloves should fit snugly without your fingertips hitting the end. The best option is to try them on in one of our stores or give us a quick call – from experience, our staff can tell you how a model fits.

Yes, absolutely – we actually recommend it, especially for helmets, shoulder pads and cleats. In our four stores in Bochum, Mannheim, Böblingen and Erkrath you can compare different models side by side and get advice. Check our opening hours before you come; short-notice changes are always shown on each store's Google profile.

Within Germany, shipping is free on orders of €49 or more. Items in stock are usually ready to ship within 1–3 working days. You'll find the exact delivery information on each product page. All further details on shipping and payment are on our shipping page.