Are you getting yourself or your kids ready for a soccer tournament? Below is the ultimate guide you need to prepare for your next travel soccer tournament. It includes helpful hints and tips to guarantee your weekend is a success. Make sure to also take a look at the packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Start Prepping Your Body Week Before
It’s important to get a lot of rest and prepare for your tournament starting a week before you play. You will be exercising intensely for a few days straight so it’s critical that you are getting enough sleep beforehand. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night a week before you play is vital. You’ll be thankful that you are well-rested going into the tournament once the weekend starts.
Focus before game time on eating well by consuming foods that contain a lot of complex carbohydrates, but are low in saturated fats. Remember, drink lots of water and try to avoid excessive amounts of soda and caffeinated drinks. You’ll feel better, play more innovative and help decrease your risk of injury by getting your body and mind ready the week before.
Familiarize Yourself with the Logistics
Make sure you have a copy of the tournament’s schedule, maps of the fields, information about where you’re staying if traveling far, and any important contact information. Print it out or save the information on your phone so you have it when you need it.
Sometimes even great plans have to be adjusted and the weather can suddenly change. Stay alert for updates from organizers and coaches. Try to go into the tournament with an open mind and stay flexible for when things inevitably come up and the game plan changes.
What to Pack?
It’s good to have a checklist to make sure you have everything you need for a successful soccer tournament. It’s the worst feeling to show up for the game unprepared, but this list will help. Remember to bring:
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Uniform
This one might seem obvious, but make sure that you have both the top and the bottoms for your uniform so you can play in the tournament. If you have multiple uniforms like home and away colors, bring all of them. It’s best to be prepared for anything.
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Warm Up Clothes
If you’re going to be playing in cooler weather, make sure to bring some warm-up clothes to get ready before your games. Warmer muscles help prevent you from straining your muscles too much and decrease the probability of getting injured.
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Cleats
Grab your cleats to make sure you’re ready to run and play during the game. You should break in any new soccer cleats at least a week before your tournament to make sure your feet are comfortable and the shoes are broken in. You also might want to pack some alternative shoes like slides to put on after the tournament matches.
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Shin Guards
Protect yourself and remember to bring both of your shin guards with you. Officials might not let you play if you don’t have shin guards and similar to cleats, they need to be broken in.
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Extra Socks
Bring along some extra socks so you have some to change into in case yours get wet or muddy. Fresh socks before a new soccer game can help set the right tone. If you have multiple colors to match your home and away uniform, make sure you pack both.
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Water Bottle
Staying hydrated throughout the tournament will give you a competitive advantage over your peers. By drinking water, you will reduce the risk of any heat-related illness and maintain peak performance levels. Reward yourself with a sports drink to replenish electrolytes after a big match.
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Snacks
Fruits, vegetables, and granola bars are great snacking options for the field to keep you energized.
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Sunscreen/Bug Repellent
Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen while on the field. A sweat-resistant sunscreen is a great option for the tournament. You also might want to bring bug repellent in case you notice insects biting you.
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VersaDri MobilDri Portable Dryer
One of the best things you can pack for your soccer tournament is a Mobildri portable dryer. It’ll keep your cleats and socks dry so your feet are ready to play. More information is below.
If you are traveling far to a tournament where you have to stay at a hotel or other lodging, remember to bring your overnight bag with any necessities you might need.
Bringing Your MobilDri
Nothing is worse than playing a long tournament in perpetually wet cleats. It’s important to pack your MobilDri portable boot dryer for your soccer tournament so you can have the dry and warm gear to put on game after game.
If you get unlucky and it’s raining during your tournament, don’t worry. You can dry your cleats and socks on the go with your MobilDri and prevent them from becoming stinky. Eliminate bacterial growth in your cleats by using the Best Portable boot and glove dryer that runs on your car’s battery and just has to be plugged into the 12V aux outlet (cigarette lighter). This portable boot and glove dryer has two settings to get your gear ready to put back on. Heat mode and fan-only mode. Heat mode dries your gear fast, and fan-only mode is a great, energy-efficient option for drying.
Even if it’s not raining on game days, drying out your soccer cleats after sweating in them helps reduce any foul odors. If you’re playing game after game in cold and damp climates, you don’t need to worry about packing extra cleats, just pack your MobilDri for warm, dry cleats every day.
The MobilDri Portable boot dryer with heat is easy to bring with you on all your game days with the included kit bag. Pack the base unit along with all the tube drying accessories for your shoes, gloves, and hats into the bag and you’re ready to go.
Visualize Success
Mentally prepare yourself for the long and fun weekend of your soccer tournament. While it’s normal to have anxious thoughts, try to direct your thinking toward success and positivity. Meditation and breathing exercises can help put you in the right mindset to play your best during the tournament. You can also distract yourself with fun, low-energy activities the evening before you play to calm your brain and ensure a good night’s sleep.
Enjoy Your Tournament Weekend!
While at the tournament, try to stay positive even if you’re not winning every game or things aren’t going the way you planned. You are there to have fun and play a good game so enjoy it!
Check out VersaDri to purchase your portable boot and glove dryer for your next soccer tournament!
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