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