{"id":21993,"date":"2022-04-06T10:52:08","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T17:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/?p=21993"},"modified":"2022-09-20T07:30:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T14:30:49","slug":"pregame-tips-to-help-you-perform-at-your-very-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/pregame-tips-to-help-you-perform-at-your-very-best","title":{"rendered":"Pregame Tips to Help You Perform at Your Very Best"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Pregame<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Every soccer player wants to win. That\u2019s a given.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But wanting to win on gameday isn’t enough. Games (and tournaments, and titles) are won over time. They\u2019re won at practice. They\u2019re won by building relationships with your teammates<\/a>. And they\u2019re won by being committed to all the little habits that help you prepare to perform at your very best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”<\/p>Benjamin Franklin (and a favorite quote of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That means you can’t just show up to the fields and play. You need to prepare your body and brain so that you\u2019re ready to take on and conquer any challenge. Check out these five pregame tips to help you feel relaxed and confident going into every single soccer game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your gear ready the night before<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nobody likes the mad scramble to find missing cleats, socks or shinguards right before you leave for your soccer game. That\u2019s a surefire way to lose focus on the game ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So save yourself that drama \u2014 even the possibility of drama \u2014 by preparing your gear the night before. Cleats, jerseys, socks, shin guards, flip-flops, water, sunscreen, energy snacks\u2026 anything that you could possibly need should be packed away the night before your game. That way, you avoid laundry emergencies and have everything, including yourself, ready to rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treat your body right<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Hydration<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s not just your equipment that needs to be ready for action. A soccer game is a tough test for your body, and it\u2019s up to you to prepare it for that challenge. That means getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and eating enough of the right <\/strong>foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s crucial to understand that treating your body right isn\u2019t just important on gameday. For this to really pay off, you have to commit to these little habits<\/a> in nutrition, hydration and sleeping that will help guide you to a healthier and happier future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep: <\/strong>Young athletes should get at least<\/em> <\/em>9 hours of sleep<\/a> every night. Read that again: every<\/strong> <\/em>night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not enough to go to bed early the day before your game. Your body (and your brain!) need lots of sleep to perform at peak levels, and that means building healthy and consistent sleeping habits. That routine might very well include naps, especially if your game is later in the day \u2014 Cristiano Ronaldo famously takes five naps every day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydration: <\/strong>Drinking water helps your brain and body function at their absolute best. If you aren\u2019t hydrated enough, you fatigue faster, think more slowly and generally underperform. Thankfully, this one is an easy fix: keep a nice, big water bottle with you at all times, and you\u2019ll find yourself more hydrated than ever before. Another couple of quick and easy tips: cut out the soda (at least<\/em> for the 24 hours before a game) and avoid caffeine, which is a fast track to dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition: <\/strong>Eating right is a crucial part of being a high-level athlete. Proper nutrition helps your body grow, recover and perform. Unfortunately, it\u2019s also something that many youth soccer programs don\u2019t emphasize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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