Game Preparation - Food & Drinks

Night Before Do's and Dont's

Dinner should include carbohydrates like brown rice or whole wheat pasta along with some protein and fat. Of course veggies and fresh fruits are a must. You think the Italians eat well beacuse they like to? Heck no, it's because they're preparing for a soccer game! Sleep and vitamins are 100% essential before a game, so get to bed early (no sleep-overs) and take a multi-vitamin if you don't like your fruits and veggies.

Dont's include fast food, super sweets, whole milk, cheese or anything fried. Beans, pickles and spices are also no-no's as your body will spend most of the next day trying to digest these nasties. Why waste energy on digestion when your energy should be for running!

Game Day

You should eat a meal about 3 hrs prior to the game and it should include some grains and fresh fruit and plenty of water. You actually want to keep your stomach as close to empty at game time as possible. Again, this is because you don't want your body to use energy digesting food when you need it for the game.

No caffeinated, carbonated or high fructose drinks before a game. This means no sodas or fruit juices! Drink water instead, even when you don't feel you need it. I cup of water gives you enough energy for about 15-20 minutes of soccer.

Here's the plan. Drink about a half-litre of water two hours prior to the game then another half-litre of sports drink 10-15 minutes before game time. During the game hydrate whenever possible, but don't drink too much at half-time - a simple sip or two should be good enough (unless it's very, very hot).

The sports drink is key because they help avoid fatigue and cramps.

Post Game

Once you’re done playing, keep drinking as you cool down. It’ll help you get rid of the toxins that you’ve built up during practice or the game.

Then a nice hot meal, hopefully some home cooking and hot, sweetened tea with lemon!

Team Meeting this Thursday

I would like to hold a brief team meeting this Thursday from 7-8pm (immediately following our practice). All players and parents are asked to attend. Location is the Lochside Park Clubhouse and pizza and refreshments will be provided.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss plans and goals for the season, confirm practice times and locations, game-day preparations, player safety procedures, go through the team's code of conduct and anything else parents or players want to address prior to season kick-off.

We will also distribute uniforms at the meeting. The girls have unanimously chosen to wear the Maroon & Black this year! In case of multiple girls wanting the same jersey number players should come prepared to perform a small trick or sing a song to win the rights to their favourite jersey number.

Any questions please call or email Brett or myself.

GU14 League Schedule Announced

Six teams in the G14 Gold division this season and we start things off by hosting the reigning champions at Lochside Park. Our first Cowichan Valley road trip is Halloween!

I'm actually somewhat surprised there are as many as six teams, especially after Metro practically demolished the Gorge and JDF programs. JDF has disappeared but Gorge has somehow saved their U14 age group. This is good news for us, otherwise it would have resulted in three or more bye weekends. That said, playing each four times plus again in the District Cup is b-o-r-i-n-g!

Over the next week or so I would like to have a discussion about any tournaments we wish to enter. There are a couple of choices, including the Lakehill Fall Classic on the Thanksgiving Weekend (the same weekend we play Lakehill in the league). There are also tournaments on the Lower Mainland on the Remembrance Day Weekend we might consider.

Or perhaps tournaments aren't of any interest. Let me know using this week's poll.

Coaches Code of Conduct

It's only fair that if we as coaches expect the players to conduct themselves in a certain manner that we too should be held to account for our actions. Below is a list of what you can expect from Brett and I this season.

1. We will place the player's physical and emotional well being ahead of any personal desire to win.

2. We will nurture good sportsmanship and fair play and teach the players the value of competition and winning and losing.

3. We will set reasonable expectations for each player and for the team.

4. We will remind the players of these expectations if we feel individually or as a team they are not performing to their abilities.

5. We will do our best to teach the fundamentals of the game.

6. We will never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.

7. We will instruct players and parents in the laws of the game and motivate all to act within them.

8. We will ensure that all team officials, players and parents treat opposing players, their fans and the match officials with respect.

9. You have our personal commitment to keep ourselves informed on sound coaching priniciples and the principles of children's growth and development.

10. We will strive to keep communication lines open with parents and players.

Player Code of Conduct

The season is almost upon us so I believe it's the appropriate time to discuss our expectations of the players this season. The following Code of Conduct outlines these expectations and I would like all players to familiarize themselves with them.

CODE OF CONDUCT

1) Know the rules and abide by them.

2) Practice the fundamentals. Master the soccer basics - dribbling, passing, shooting, tackling and communication.

3) Play hard. If playing hard isn't part of your game - make it!

4) Play fairly and respect the officials, opponents and your fellow teammates. Listen to your coaches and never question an official.

5) Do not deliberately miss practices or games. Communicate with the coach or manager when you cannot attend a practice or game.

6) Practice the principle that a team's reputation is built not only on its playing ability, but also on the sportsmanship, courtesy, and manners of each individual player. Set the example.

7) Be humble and generous in victory and proud and dignified in defeat.

8) Remember that a failure by the team is shared by all of the members and should not be blamed on individual members. Of course, successes are always shared.

9) Always try your best to improve personally and to help your team improve. Encourage your teammates to do the same.

10)Have fun! Win or lose, try to enjoy every moment on the field.