Tips for Preparing for a tournament

649 days ago

  1. Tips for Preparing for a tournament:
    1. At least 24 hours before a match, players should begin hydrating. Water, sports drinks, and low-sugar juices are appropriate for this task.
    2. Players should not drink caffeinated beverages, soda, or any other high-sugar drinks 24 hours before a game.
    3. On the evening prior to a match, players should eat a healthy, well-rounded but carbohydrate-rich meal. No fatty or “fast” foods.
    4. On game day mornings/afternoons, players should again eat a healthy, well-rounded but carbohydrate-rich meal. NOTHING SHOULD BE EATEN WITHIN 90 MINUTES OF KICK-OFF (except soft fruit)!
    5. No “sleep-overs” on the night before a game. Players should sleep in their own beds and get a FULL night’s rest.
  2. Players List of what they need at practice and tournaments

    Did I Pack My…
    1. Cleats?
    2. Shinguards?
    3. Water?
    4. Ball?
    5. Ball Pump?
    6. Both Jerseys? (for game day)
    7. Both Pairs of Socks (for game day)
    8. Both Pairs of Shorts (for game day)
    9. Training Shirt? (wear to field on game day)
    10. Warm-up? (wear to field on game day)
    11. Ibuprofen/Tylenol, Asthma Inhaler, or Any Medicines I Might Need?

      See? There are 11 things to remember just like there are 11 players on the field! It’s easy to remember that way!

  3. Now That I’m Home I Should…
    1. Make sure I have a clean training shirt, black shorts, and black socks for practice tomorrow. If I don’t, I need to wash and dry them TONIGHT!!!
    2. If my cleats are dirty I should use a wet rag to clean them up. If my cleats are wet, I should loosen the laces and put them in a place where they can dry out (not right back in my backpack).
    3. Get my jerseys, extra shorts, and extra socks packed tonight for the game tomorrow.
    4. Lay out the shorts and socks I need for the game tomorrow and make sure my training shirt and warm-up are clean.
    5. Pack up my cleats, shinguards, ball, ball pump, and medicines I might need for the game or practice tomorrow.
    6. Check my e-mail to see if Coach sent me anything.
    7. If anything hurts, I should put ice on it for 20 minutes and then take it off for 40 minutes. I should do this three times tonight to make sure my injury doesn’t swell. I’ll also elevate the part of my body that is injured while I ice it.
    8. Check to see if my toe nails need to be trimmed. :)
    9. Make sure that I get fluids to replace the ones I’ve lost during today’s practice or game.
    10. Double check the practice or game schedule for tomorrow. I need to be at practice on time or at the game field an hour early.
    11. Do some homework or study. Even if it isn’t due for a long time, it will be easier to get done if I do a little bit each night. If I get behind in my homework, I can’t play soccer.

Again! There are 11 things to remember?! Funny how that works out!!

— Chris Clark

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