How To Keep Your Team Safe And Match Fit On An Away Trip

The home-field advantage is perhaps more rooted in soccer than any other sport, with teams likely to gain around 0.57 more points at a home game than on the road. But while home games give teams the biggest edge, away games are an important part of a soccer team’s fixture list. Making sure that players can get to away games safely and without a hitch is crucial to ensuring that everyone can give their best performance when out on the pitch. But safe and healthy travel isn’t just about getting from A to B. Players also need to be focused on hygiene, sleep quality and diet while on the road to be at their best for the game.

Before You Take Your Players On The Road

Preparation is key to a safe road trip, even if you know the route well. Before you hit the road, make sure whatever vehicles the players will be traveling in are in good shape. It’s also a good idea to map out the roadways you plan to take and the states you will pass through, and check for any travel advisories you should be aware of. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make the journey, factoring in toilet stops and rest breaks for the driver to avoid them getting tired. Getting to the away ground is also good in helping players to acclimatize to the different surroundings. This also means that if there are any issues during the journey, the team won’t have to rush.

Healthy Travel For Away Games

Away games are an important part of soccer, but despite many Americans believing that traveling poses a greater risk of getting sick, nearly one-third would still travel despite having cold or flu-like symptoms. Soccer players can stay healthy on route to games, however, by having their own good hygiene practices, such as washing hands regularly and carrying sanitizing wipes to wipe down seats, seatbelts and armrests. It's also important that they follow a strict sleep schedule during the trip. Getting enough sleep is often one of the most overlooked ways to keep healthy while traveling. Coaches shouldn’t be afraid of introducing a curfew for players to ensure they get to sleep at a decent time.

Hydration And Diet On The Road

For the more than 24.4 million people who play soccer in the U.S, having a healthy diet and keeping hydrated is crucial for maintaining fitness and boosting immunity. But it can be difficult to stay disciplined when traveling. It’s very easy to give in to the convenience of fast food while on the road. But a simple solution is to pack healthy foods that will stop players feeling tempted to stop off at a gas station for a snack. Fruits and nuts are an easy foods to take with you. Packed with carbohydrates, they are not just invaluable to producing glycogen for muscles, but they're also easy to eat on the road. Grapes, bananas and apples, along with cashews, almonds, pistachios and peanuts should help to curb appetites without the need to give in to the temptation of fast food.

Taking your team to away games can be a great experience for everyone involved as long as the right precautions are taken. Doing everything possible to ensure players arrive safely and healthily will not only help to avoid any obstacles along the way, but your players will be match fit and ready to take on the other team too.