A good pregame routine is vital to playing a good soccer game. Unfortunately, many players don't know what they need to do, or they neglect to develop a good routine.
Both mental and physical pregame rituals are necessary to help you play your best. Here are some of the tips and tactics Edukick coaches use to keep soccer boarding school students in top shape:
The Night Before
Pregame preparation starts the day before a game. You should go to bed early the evening before a game in order to ensure you get plenty of rest. If our players have a 2 p.m. game start, then their sleep curfew is 9:30 p.m. the night before. Don't overlook this important part of pre-game preparation.
Also, make sure that you have all of your soccer equipment set out and ready to go before you go to bed. You'll save yourself time in the morning, and you won't have to worry about forgetting anything.
Watch What You Eat
The food and drinks you put into your body in the hours before the game will affect both your energy level and your performance. Edukick students follow specific diet guidelines before the games:
- Steer clear of caffeine or carbonated beverages.
- Choose sports drinks carefully, as they can contain a lot of sugar. Though sugar can give you an instant energy boost, you'll crash later.
- Make sure you're fully hydrated before the game by drinking plenty of water. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.
- Avoid sugary or salty snacks before practice or a game. This includes sunflower seeds and other nuts.
- The best pregame snacks are fruits. High energy, without the crash.
- Your pregame meal should be high in starches, including pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread. If you're eating meat, go with lean proteins like turkey or chicken rather than red meat.
- Avoid fried foods before a game.
- While you shouldn't feel uncomfortably hungry at game time, your stomach should be mostly empty. Give yourself plenty of time to digest.
These tips and tactics give Edukick students an edge before they ever hit the pitch.
Take some time to develop a good pregame routine for yourself, so you can give a pro performance in your next game.