10 Things Every Soccer Player Should Bring to The Field
(Thank you NO-AD Sunscreen of sending us samples to try this summer. All the opinions stated in this post are 100% mine.)
School’s back in session and with that also comes a full blown soccer season. Our oldest son plays travel soccer, for the third year in a row. We know it’s a big commitment, from him and the entire family, but it’s something we gladly do. The benefits of playing a team sport far outweighs the “inconvenience” and time commitment.
However, as we transition into a new soccer season, I find myself reminding him (over and over again) of all the things he has to bring to every practice and every game. How can he not remember these things on his own? Is he deliberately trying to age me before my time?
I love him. Really, I do. But BOY does he have the ability to test my patience. I know he means well, there is simply not a mean bone in his body… but his forgetfulness can be maddening, especially when you need to nag and repeat yourself to get anything done.
(Please God, let’s get through these tween/ teen years with my sanity intact!)
Oh well, behind every forgetful young man, stands a very patient mother who eventually will figure out a way to outsmart her child! – And I did JUST that!
After seeing how well our new morning routine is working for all three school-bound kids, I set up the same routine for our soccer kids, with raging success.
There are ten things our travel soccer player brings with him to every practice and every game. This check list reminds him of everything – and therefore does ALL the nagging for me!
10 Things Every Soccer Player Needs to Bring to Practice and Games:
- Soccer ball:
- Make sure it’s the right size ball for his age group and that the ball is properly inflated.
- Practice uniform:
- Shirt, shorts, and of course underwear!
- Yes, mothers do need to remind their boys to wear underwear, from time to time!
- Game uniforms:
- On game days, wear the home or away uniform according to the location of the game, but also always bring the other game uniform, just in case.
- Our team has had to switch uniforms on more than one occasion when we get to the field.
- Shin guards:
- Have him put these on before you leave the house, so he’s not struggling with them in the car.
- Socks:
- Make sure he wears the right color uniform socks.
- Cleats:
- Our kids put these on in the car, although for the younger kids its often easier to get them on before you leave the house.
- Drinks:
- Bring a sports drink and also a big water jug of iced water, especially when they are playing in the hot sun.
- Towel:
- This is a must-have here in Florida, especially as the kids get older and they sweat as much as a 300 lbs. grown man mowing the lawn at high noon.
- Cooling towel:
- This awesome invention is activated by wetting it with water, which your hot and sweaty soccer player can get from his water jug! This is perfect for a HOT summer game or tournament.
- Sunscreen:
- ALWAYS wear and pack sunscreen, regardless of the time of year! We live in South Florida, so sunburns are possible year round.
- Our son packs a big bottle of NO-AD Sport 50 SPF sunscreen and also their facial stick for a quick reapply before the game starts.
- Cash:
- We never like to leave our son at the soccer field or at a tournament without having cash available. He keeps $10 in his backpack and some quarters, in case he needs to reach us. (Come to think of it, are there even public payphone available these days?!)
- Backpack:
- Have one backpack dedicated to soccer, so all the soccer gear can be left in the bag.
- (But always have the soccer player go through the check list and confirm that everything is in the backpack before you leave the house!).
Our sunscreen of choice for sports and sweltering South Florida soccer games:
NO-AD Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 NO-AD Body and Face Stick, SPF 50
Why NO-AD Sunscreen?:
- Easy to apply.
- SPF 50, broad spectrum UVA/ UVB protection.
- Sunscreen is Paraben-, PABA-, fragrance and retinyl palmitate-free.
- Water and sweat resistant and non-greasy formula.
- IT WORKS.
- (Many sunscreens on the market make great claims and fall short on performance. We used this sunscreen all summer without any burns at all.)
- NO-AD Sun Care was introduced in 1962 with the concept of providing consumers with quality sun care products that are twice the size as national brands for the same price – all with “no TV ads”, no hype and no gimmicks.
- NO-AD has been protecting families for generations with great quality products at a great value.
- NO-AD was picked four times as a “Best Buy” for it’s exceptional value and once as a “Recommended” sunscreen for its superior protection.
- In 2016 NO-AD made the news by becoming the first mass sun care brand to go Paraben-Free and Retinyl Palmitate-Free!
Sunscreen application tips from the American Academy of Dermatology:
(For the soccer field and any time you are spending time outside!)
- Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, that is water resistant and provides broad-spectrum UVA/ UVB coverage.
- Apply sunscreen BEFORE going outdoors.
- It takes the skin 15 minutes to absorb sunscreen and offer full protection.
- (Pro tip: Apply sunscreen BEFORE getting dressed in the soccer uniform, to ensure proper coverage of the exposed skin.)
- Use at least 1 oz. of sunscreen to fully cover exposed areas and rub it into the skin until it is absorbed.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessively sweating.
- (Pro tip: Teach your soccer player to use the Body and Face stick to reapply sunscreen after warm-ups and before the game.)
Where can you buy NO-AD Sunscreen?
- Amazon
- Most major grocery stores and pharmacies
Check out the The Superkids Activity Guide to Conquering Every Day here for more great resources to help keep your child on time – and happy. The tips and advice we found in this book has been a game changer for our busy mornings.
Make your own soccer reminder chart, all you need is:
- Paper
- Laminator
- Laminator pouches
- Velcro dots
- Template and instructions can be found in the Superkids Activity Guide to Conquering Every Day
Check out these other great resources for soccer moms and soccer dads.
10 Things Every Soccer Mom Must Have on the Sidelines
Travel Soccer Parents, You Need THIS!
Thanks again for helping me learn more about what I need to bring to the soccer field! My boy just started playing soccer and he is my first child, so naturally, I am wondering what to bring to the field on our big first game day! Just like you mentioned, I will make sure to bring some cooling towels so that we can cool down his head on those hot summer days. Thanks again!
I am so glad you found what you needed in this post. It sure can be overwhelming knowing what to bring for those first soccer practices! This list should have you covered – and YES – the cooling towels are awesome!
Great post, my son is playing in high school and has been adamant that he needs specific things and it has been rough finding everything, you for sure have a few things he didn’t consider. Thanks so much!
Great Tips on what to bring, although I find that only addressing what you need for boys doesn’t make girls feel comfortable knowing that there isn’t only discrimination against gender while playing but tips on what to have during a match as well. I am a high school soccer player (and yes i’m a girl) so I think that for future articles it would be better to describe the player as “them” or “your kid”. But I still think that it was a very good page.