Youth Soccer Tournaments
Coaches like to put their teams into
youth soccer tournaments
throughout the soccer season. This occurs a lot both in Canada and the United States. The biggest physical challenge is fatigue. This occurs for several reasons: An athlete who have participates in an off season individualized conditioning program decreases the likely hood of getting injured. Off season conditioning allows players a faster recovery from athletic participation; therefore, they are better able to handle the physical stress of all the games. Nutritional Habits It is critical that players have sound nutritional habits through out the weeks leading up to youth soccer tournaments as well as during the week or weekend of competition. This is very challenging as you want players to have nutritious pre and post game meals to replenish the nutrients lost in the previous games. It is also important that athletes are properly
hydrated
Players will cramp, fatigue and get injured if there is not enough fluid in the system (they will go through a minimum of 2-4l of water.) Furthermore teams who compete in the hot summer months risk the chance of getting heat exhaustion or even worse heat stroke.
It is important that players have small snacks that contain protein, carbohydrates and fats. Scout out the local groceries and restaurants if you have a chance. Pressure To Win Youth Soccer Tournaments replace the opportunity to train technical and tactical skills. Focus on the improvements of each individual and the team as a whole. Treat the competition as a practice. Pressure from parents and coaches to win may lead to injury and loss of interest in the game by the players. Players may burn out and lose the will to play at a higher level. It has been my experience that players who train indoor and do off-season conditioning instead of playing indoor soccer tend to be in much better physical condition and have fewer injuries. Travel Time As a coach or a manager of a team, it is wise to choose tournaments that are close to home. Teams that travel by bus or plane are idle for long periods of time. It is important that your team has a solid thirty to forty minute warm up prior to your first game. Players need to get the blood pumping and the legs moving as soon as possible. It is also important that the athletes are drinking water throughout the trip as well as snacking on light food (nuts and fruit). This will help prevent dehydration and fatigue in the first game. Steps For A Successful Tournament 1. HAVE FUN!!! 2. Off-season conditioning program: this would include a combination of a properly designed resistance exercise program with a conditioning program). 3. Off-season technical training. Remember two hours of technical training throughout the off season is more valuable than playing indoor soccer for one hour once a week. 4. Proper hydration and nutritional habits on a daily basis and at tournaments. It is important that athletes stay away from fast food restaurants and heavy greasy foods. 5. Have a long bench for substitutions. Your athletes will feel fatigue towards the end of the second game. 6. Have a daily schedule set up that includes meals, curfew, training and treatment if necessary. Check out
Soccer-Tournament-Guide.com
an excellent online resource for helping you find the best youth soccer tournament for your team, the best places to stay while attending your tournaments, and the best deals for getting to and from where ever your tournaments are being held.
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