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ounces (240 ml) immediately following the game, but keep an eye on your weight loss in hot conditions. More fluid might be required if you notice you have sweat off some weight.

“It’s all about putting your teammates in the best possible conditions. Whether it’s providing an assist for a goal or playing the penultimate pass, the absolute priority is setting them up as well as you can.”

Be Loose Rested and nourished, pro players arrive at the match venue well ahead of kickoff. For high school and college players, the timing may necessarily be a little different, but ideally players will want to start getting their muscles, ligaments, and joints ready to play about seventy-five minutes before kickoff. Stretching is important for all athletes before any activity, whether it be games, practice, or workouts. A routine of light stretching for about twenty-five minutes, focusing primarily on the lower body, will work well for most players. Here is a sample stretching routine for soccer from sports- fitness-advisor.com: TWO-LEG HAMSTRING STRETCH 1. With both feet together and legs fully extended, reach forward with both hands toward your toes. 2. Tuck your chin toward your chest to increase the stretch. 3. Keep your toes pointed toward the sky.

– Dimitri Payet, French national team midfielder

U.S. Navy soccer team players stretch out their quadriceps on the turf.

HAMSTRING SPLIT STRETCH 1. Bending on one knee, extend the other leg out in front of you. 2. Reach with both hands toward your outstretched foot.

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