Most schools and clubs begin play this coming weekend. I thought I would write a small blog on what to put in your 'Game Bag' come Game Day. Most programs give their players a nice backpack type of carry-all to take out on to the field, and GKs should always try to anticipate every possible scenario and pack their bag accordingly.
Have an alternate uniform. You don't always know what the other team will be wearing. You can't be the same color as the referees or the opposing GK (technically). So, it is good to have at least one different color jersey (other than the one you're wearing) in your bag. I always made my college GKs pack 2 different color jerseys in addition to the one they were wearing. That way there was no problem with the referee of opposing GK or opposing team.
Have at least 1 extra pair of gloves. What happens if you "blow a seam" in your gloves during the match? Do you have a pair of gloves that are slightly better for wet weather in case it starts raining? Are you a GK that likes to wear a pair of gloves per half? (Some GKs do because their hands sweat so much and the sweat sometimes makes the palm slippery--so they put on a fresh pair of gloves at half-time). Always take a spare pair of match-quality gloves out to the goal with you in case of rips or blow-outs. Most professional GKs have 4 pairs of gloves available at game time. A pair to warm up in. A pair to play the match in. A pair of wet weather gloves. A 'back-up' pair of gloves which they take out to the goal with them. Always take a towel out to the goal as well for wiping your face dry, and/or keeping the palms of your gloves clean.
Footwear. Have a pair of wet-weather boots (studs) in your bag in case it begins to rain. A slip in goal can cost you a game. Ask John Boa. John (whom I trained a lot back in the day), played at Belmont Abbey College. BA came to Duke for a mid-week match and of course the Duke (Div 1) players sort of took BA (NAIA) for granted and we almost lost. But the ground was a bit wet from some thunderstorms in the area, and as the match progressed, the dew came up and footing became suspect. Late in the match, we (Duke) sent a through-ball in and as John set to take-off to play the ball, his foot slipped just a tad....and he got to the shot a bit late....Goal. Duke wins by a goal and avoids a MAJOR upset. It happens. Maybe, just maybe, if John had put on studs at half-time, no slip, Belmont Abbey wins, college soccer history is made. If you're playing on turf, have turf shoes and a pair of molded sole boots in your bag. Always have the proper footwear.
Long pants. What happens if you're playing a game in late November and the weather changes and it begins to get cold. It would be great to have a pair of long GK pants to stay warm wouldn't it? Always a good idea to put a pair in your bag. What happens if you're playing on a turf pitch or playing on a field where the goal mouth is worn out and there is just sand and hard-packed dirt. Long pants will keep your legs and hips from getting 'burger-ized'.
Shin Guards. Don't necessarily have to warm up with shin guards in, but you do need to have them in when the match begins. By having them in your bag, you'll never forget them.
Water bottle. Or 2. Depending upon where you play, early season games may be in hot, humid conditions. Have a water bottle--with water in it-- for taking out to the goal and keeping yourself hydrated.
Chewing gum, wrist brace, ankle brace, etc. Each GK has some gear that he/she needs to use in a match. Be sure to include them in your Game Bag so that you are never lacking the necessities. Good luck charms included! Good luck charms are VITAL to success. Everyone knows that.
Warm-up top or jacket. After the match, you may want to wear a warm-up jacket or hoodie-type pull-over to keep a little bit warm and not cool down too quickly. Always good to have an extra 'layer' of clothing, just in case.
Make sure you pack your Game Bag early on game day. I always used to lay-out and pack my gear on the night before a match. That way I was sure I had all of my gear, and was prepared....and maybe more importantly; packing the gear early helped me begin to concentrate and mentally prepare for the match. Being mentally ready is perhaps the most important thing you can do for a game.
Shoot me a 'comment' and let me know if you have any other Game Day preparations or equipment that I have failed to mention.
Good luck, and may the ground beneath your dive be soft. May your opponents hit every shot right at you, and may the goalposts always be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV
Have an alternate uniform. You don't always know what the other team will be wearing. You can't be the same color as the referees or the opposing GK (technically). So, it is good to have at least one different color jersey (other than the one you're wearing) in your bag. I always made my college GKs pack 2 different color jerseys in addition to the one they were wearing. That way there was no problem with the referee of opposing GK or opposing team.
Have at least 1 extra pair of gloves. What happens if you "blow a seam" in your gloves during the match? Do you have a pair of gloves that are slightly better for wet weather in case it starts raining? Are you a GK that likes to wear a pair of gloves per half? (Some GKs do because their hands sweat so much and the sweat sometimes makes the palm slippery--so they put on a fresh pair of gloves at half-time). Always take a spare pair of match-quality gloves out to the goal with you in case of rips or blow-outs. Most professional GKs have 4 pairs of gloves available at game time. A pair to warm up in. A pair to play the match in. A pair of wet weather gloves. A 'back-up' pair of gloves which they take out to the goal with them. Always take a towel out to the goal as well for wiping your face dry, and/or keeping the palms of your gloves clean.
Footwear. Have a pair of wet-weather boots (studs) in your bag in case it begins to rain. A slip in goal can cost you a game. Ask John Boa. John (whom I trained a lot back in the day), played at Belmont Abbey College. BA came to Duke for a mid-week match and of course the Duke (Div 1) players sort of took BA (NAIA) for granted and we almost lost. But the ground was a bit wet from some thunderstorms in the area, and as the match progressed, the dew came up and footing became suspect. Late in the match, we (Duke) sent a through-ball in and as John set to take-off to play the ball, his foot slipped just a tad....and he got to the shot a bit late....Goal. Duke wins by a goal and avoids a MAJOR upset. It happens. Maybe, just maybe, if John had put on studs at half-time, no slip, Belmont Abbey wins, college soccer history is made. If you're playing on turf, have turf shoes and a pair of molded sole boots in your bag. Always have the proper footwear.
Long pants. What happens if you're playing a game in late November and the weather changes and it begins to get cold. It would be great to have a pair of long GK pants to stay warm wouldn't it? Always a good idea to put a pair in your bag. What happens if you're playing on a turf pitch or playing on a field where the goal mouth is worn out and there is just sand and hard-packed dirt. Long pants will keep your legs and hips from getting 'burger-ized'.
Shin Guards. Don't necessarily have to warm up with shin guards in, but you do need to have them in when the match begins. By having them in your bag, you'll never forget them.
Water bottle. Or 2. Depending upon where you play, early season games may be in hot, humid conditions. Have a water bottle--with water in it-- for taking out to the goal and keeping yourself hydrated.
Chewing gum, wrist brace, ankle brace, etc. Each GK has some gear that he/she needs to use in a match. Be sure to include them in your Game Bag so that you are never lacking the necessities. Good luck charms included! Good luck charms are VITAL to success. Everyone knows that.
Warm-up top or jacket. After the match, you may want to wear a warm-up jacket or hoodie-type pull-over to keep a little bit warm and not cool down too quickly. Always good to have an extra 'layer' of clothing, just in case.
Make sure you pack your Game Bag early on game day. I always used to lay-out and pack my gear on the night before a match. That way I was sure I had all of my gear, and was prepared....and maybe more importantly; packing the gear early helped me begin to concentrate and mentally prepare for the match. Being mentally ready is perhaps the most important thing you can do for a game.
Shoot me a 'comment' and let me know if you have any other Game Day preparations or equipment that I have failed to mention.
Good luck, and may the ground beneath your dive be soft. May your opponents hit every shot right at you, and may the goalposts always be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV