soccer tourney question

[koopa]

Any tips on what to do between games?
Do the parents organize a get together before the tourney starts, so the girls can talk things other than soccer.
Any routines parents do after each game? Like tunnels etc....

I'm sure the same applies to football and baseball games too. On Sat and Sun there will be five hours between games. Just wanting to keep my daughter from getting tired and not too bored at the same time. She likes to play, but hasn't shown much interest in watching other teams play.

There are only 8 girls (all 8 yrs ole) on this team. Most come from different schools, so they are trying to get to know eachother. My wife is going to suggest a pizza party the night before we drive to the tournament, and see if anyone wants to decorate their car's windows. I'm bringing sun tan lotion for sure

 

[soccercruiser87]

Any tips on what to do between games?
Do the parents organize a get together before the tourney starts, so the girls can talk things other than soccer.
Any routines parents do after each game? Like tunnels etc....

I'm sure the same applies to football and baseball games too. On Sat and Sun there will be five hours between games. Just wanting to keep my daughter from getting tired and not too bored at the same time. She likes to play, but hasn't shown much interest in watching other teams play.

There are only 8 girls (all 8 yrs ole) on this team. Most come from different schools, so they are trying to get to know eachother. My wife is going to suggest a pizza party the night before we drive to the tournament, and see if anyone wants to decorate their car's windows. I'm bringing sun tan lotion for sure

im a certified USSF Referee and I've reffed tons of soccer tournaments over the years. And what I see the players do between games is, if its sunny out and warm/hot, they tend to stay in shade and hang out with each other and have oranges or popsicles. Also some players have gone with their parents to get something to eat for lunch at a surrounding McDonalds or Pizza Place. Then the parents just end up talking to each other and reminding their players to stay hydrated and not get too tired while waiting for their game(s). My tips for your daughter is to stay hydrated between games and dont get herself too tired. If its sunny, tell her to stay in the shade as long as she can. The sun ends up draining you and making you very tired. That has happened to me before because I've played in plenty of tournaments too. Hopefully this helps and if I missed something you would like to know, let me know and I will answer it the best I can.

 

[aunt kelly]

I'm assuming the tournament is local.

When playing in local tournaments, we go home between games. (It is a chance to do a load of laundry or run the sweeper). Our daughter usually brings one of her teammates home w/ her and we let them play. (Trying to get them to take a nap is hopeless.) We try to let the kids enjoy themselves and not put a lot of emphasis on soccer between games.

I probably wouldn't have the get-together until after the tournament is over. The parents are exhausted at the end of the tournament and no one feels like going home and cooking, so you generally get a very good turnout.

I would bring lots of sunscreen, extra water, and bandaids to the tournament. Also, bring a comfortable fold-up chair. (I always bring extra chairs, because some parents forget them). I am a photography nut, so I take lots and lots of pictures and share w/ everyone online through Shutterfly's website.

Have a great time and don't worry too much about bonding. Our kids have been playing soccer for years and they always make friends W/ their teammates.

 

[golfgal]

If we had out of town tournaments for anything, we usually went shopping between games.

 

[jrmasm]

Go to the mall. I think DD11 has been in every mall on the East Coast.

 

[koopa]

It's an hour drive, so I'm planning on staying there. It's close to Kings Island, but that's out of the question, but there is a little shopping and the movies.

Probably stay at the field as much as possible in the shade. My wife suggested the pizza party, and coach thought it was a good idea. However, the timing is bad, for he wants to scrimmage more teams before the tournament starts (driving 20-30 minutes to another field not enough time for pizza etc...). My daughter drinks plent of fluids almost to a point of getting side cramps later. Thx, my daughter is pretty jazzed up about this.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

My 15 DS has played soccer for years so I have been to many tournaments and have had many hours to kill between games. The main thing is to keep the kids hydrated and out of the sun as others have mentioned. If there is enough time, we've taken the boys to a movie, gone to the mall, gone to a place like Red Robin or Chilis or Subway. You don't want to give the players too many heavy foods.

I've also brought decks of cards and the boys have enjoyed playing card games while they wait for their game to begin. It is also fun to watch other games.

Tournament days can be long days but they can also be lots of fun!

 

[PlutoPony]

Check around and see if one of the parents has (or can borrow) a tent/canopy you can put up to give shade as it's often in short supply at soccer parks. Take cards and other small games like that (20Q is a lot of fun), a blanket or something they can lay down on. Often they just want to sit around and talk, especially if they're getting to know each other. Picnics are good, maybe each family bring a side to share or something like that. 5 hours between games is a lot of time to kill however.... especially for families with toddlers in addition to the soccer players!

 

[wilderness01]

Great advice Pluto!

 

[minniecarousel]

I know went to movies once in a while (if there is plenty of time). Def keep them from running around too much!