The Ultimate Soccer Guide For Parents! Soccer Snack Sign Up: Soccer Mom Printable

So your kids want to play soccer. Clean out the minivan, Soccer Mom, because your life is about to change. Team sports are a fantastic way for kids to develop not only athletically, but also socially and emotionally.

 If you have more than one child on more than one team, it can get hectic. Planning ahead and having realistic expectations will go a long way toward making soccer a valuable part of your family culture. Use this soccer mom starter kit to help you feel confident when you and your child embark on this new adventure.

What do I need to know before signing my child up for soccer?

Depending on your location, you will probably have recreational soccer teams as well as club (competitive) soccer teams to choose from. It is important to ask good questions before joining a team to make sure the team culture and commitments will work with your family needs and schedules.

Here are some things to ask: 

• What time are the practices and games? How many each week?
• Where is the home field? Will the team travel?
• How much does the program cost?
• What kind of soccer equipment will my player need?
• What is the level of parent involvement?
• Who are the coaches?
• Is this a competitive league or more recreational? 
• What is the team policy for playing time?
• Does my kid need a uniform?

When should my child start soccer? 

Youth soccer can start as young as four years old, but many families wait until their child is six or eight. As with most things, this depends on your child. Some kids are naturally athletic and eager. Others are not physically or emotionally mature enough to start a team sport so young. 

You need to consider your child and the needs of your family. How many soccer practices and games are there per week? How will that fit with your schedule? Will your child thrive on the extra activity or will they be overwhelmed? 

At very young ages, soccer is mostly for exposure and basic physical activity. As players get older, the programs naturally become more intense and focused on the specific rules of the game and technical soccer skills.

Where can my child play soccer?

Even small or rural areas have youth soccer programs. Recreational options will be more affordable and less time-intensive than competitive clubs. The specific options for youth soccer will vary depending on your local community. Here are some programs to consider:

• Franchised soccer programs
• Parks & Recreation Department programs
• Parent-led playgroup organizing their own soccer sessions
• Local homeschool organization
• A private club designed to develop elite players
• YMCA or other community association

Regardless of where they play, or how competitively, a good coach and teammates can make or break your child’s experience. 

How do I communicate with my child’s coach?

Each soccer team has its own communication system. It is important that you find out early in the season what the preferred communication method is—email, text, or a dedicated team management app. You will save yourself a lot of frustration if you make sure you are receiving all communications.

Be aware that many coaches for youth soccer programs are volunteers, or at the very least, have other jobs besides coaching. Be patient if they are not always immediately available to answer your questions.

At the beginning of the season, clarify any policies your coach has about absence or tardiness from practices and playing time. Are all players guaranteed the same time on the field or is it based on their performance and efforts? 

Be involved, but remember that it’s the coach's job to coach and the parents’ job to cheer on the players. Ask the coaches if there is anything you can do at home to help your child succeed on the field. 

Good sportsmanship during youth soccer

Team sports like soccer are wonderful for teaching children how to work together, handle disappointment and win graciously. Talk with your child throughout the season when difficulties come up with other players or coaches.

Remember, coaches coach, referees make the calls and parents cheer! 

You won’t always agree with everything that happens, but this is the time to model behavior for your child. Try not to criticize—either the coaches or the referees, and certainly not your child! 

Words like, “I love to watch you play. You look like you are working really hard.” are much better than criticism. Praise your child for their efforts, dedication, and consistency rather than whether they won or lost the game. 

What Should Youth Soccer Players Eat?

Good nutrition is essential for soccer players of any age. Athletes need to increase their caloric intake to accommodate the extra energy that is spent during team sports. 

Young athletes should focus on healthy carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid heavily processed, heavily fried, or very sugary foods. Your soccer mom starter kit needs to have snacks – both for your players and for you! Here are some ideas for soccer player snacks:: 

• Granola bars
• Pretzels
• Fresh fruit—grapes, apples, oranges, bananas
• Trail mix
• Smoothies
• Energy balls
• Mini sandwiches
• String cheese

Soccer players also need to hydrate well ahead of their practice or game. Water is the best choice for this. 

Post-activity nutrition is important too. Players should eat within one to two hours after the game or practice for adequate recovery, and should again focus on healthy carbohydrates and lean proteins. 

When do we eat dinner on soccer nights?

The key to meal success during a busy soccer season is to plan. Youth soccer practices and games often disrupt the normal evening dinner hour. You need food that is portable or easily consumed at a variety of times.

The slow cooker can be your best friend and should be in every soccer mom starter kit! Make a list of 4-5 one-pot meals that your family enjoys that can be made in the slow cooker. Dinner will be available and warm when you need it. Alternatively, prepare portable foods earlier in the day that can be eaten on the go. 

What Equipment Does My Child Need to Play Soccer?

Youth soccer requires only basic equipment: soccer socks, shoes (at young ages, tennis shoes are just fine; as players advance, cleats are recommended ), and shin guards. Most soccer programs will also require players to have their own ball. Check with your child’s coach to see what size is best. And don’t forget a water bottle to stay hydrated!

What Goes in a Soccer Mom Starter Pack?

Plan with the right gear and soccer nights will be a breeze! Here are some items to consider putting in your own soccer mom starter pack:

• Sports chairs and/or blankets
• Umbrella/shade canopy
• Sunscreen
• Snacks/water/cash for concessions
• Jackets/raincoats
• Wagon to haul the gear
• Ice pack and bandaids (you just never know!)
• Bug spray

It’s so fun as a parent to see your little tike out there kicking around the ball, developing both skills and confidence. If you’re new to the world of youth sports, these soccer mom starter kit ideas will get you started. After all, you’ll be developing your skills and confidence, too, as you navigate this new time in your family’s life. 

You might also be interested in free-slots-no-download.com/au/5-minimum-deposit-casinos/ to keep busy during long days.

If you’re anything like me, you would prefer to know ahead of time what is going on for snack time at the game. The parents all take turns bringing different snacks and beverages, and I want to help YOU simplify this task! Signing up for another to-do on a busy week can be overwhelming, so here is a simple snack sign-up sheet for your soccer team. Keep everything organized!

Print this soccer snack sign-up sheet and pass around during your first practice. Everyone takes a turn bringing a snack and POWERADE! 

Soccer Snack Sign Up Printable

Write down the game day and time, have parents write the date that they want to sign up for, and make sure they leave their contact information so you can send them a quick reminder text the day of the game. This simple printable will help you start the soccer season off right! 

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