Summary:
As the coach, you need to prepare the team for every type of weather situation. It's a good idea to discuss field use, identify
the appropriate clothing to war, and proper nutrition in the beginning of the season. Players should be made responsible
for brining enough gear so they can add or remove items as the weather situation changes.
Field Use:
The weather and how it affects the fields can be one of the biggest variables to impact your event. Our fields are managed
and maintained by the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation Department (THPRD). It's a good idea to familiarize yourself
with their field use policy, here's the link: (http://www.thprd.org/sports/fieldclosurepolicy.cfm). We try to notify with as much
time as possible; however, Coaches and Parents need to check email on a regular basis for last minute changes / updates.
Practical Advice:
Appropriate Clothing: (also see Equipment)
It is very difficult for a player to concentrate on ball handling skills and tactical movements when they are freezing wet. But
even in the worst of conditions, every player has the ability to be successful on the field and have a good time. Advise
players to always bring a beanie cap,a fleece or coat for the sidelines, a long sleeved shirt or hoodie for under the uniform
shirt, and a lightweight pair of wool or polyester gloves. Avoid cotton materials. On hot days, you may need more than one
water bottle and a small cooler to keep it cold.
Nutrition:
One of the biggest factors in a players ability to play in poor weather conditions comes from the inside. Players should be
advised to eat the right foods, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep.
As the coach, you need to prepare the team for every type of weather situation. It's a good idea to discuss field use, identify
the appropriate clothing to war, and proper nutrition in the beginning of the season. Players should be made responsible
for brining enough gear so they can add or remove items as the weather situation changes.
Field Use:
The weather and how it affects the fields can be one of the biggest variables to impact your event. Our fields are managed
and maintained by the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation Department (THPRD). It's a good idea to familiarize yourself
with their field use policy, here's the link: (http://www.thprd.org/sports/fieldclosurepolicy.cfm). We try to notify with as much
time as possible; however, Coaches and Parents need to check email on a regular basis for last minute changes / updates.
Practical Advice:
- (1) Always leave the field in as good of condition or better than when you arrived, never worse
(2) There are no mud bowls. Playing in the mud may be fun for that day, but it will ruin the field and cost $$ to get it
back into service again. The $$ needed to service the fields comes from the fee you pay when registering your
player with the club. In order to keep fees low, we need to all work together on maintaining the fields.
Additionally, THPRD will close the field when it is deemed "unplayable". This will negatively impact both practice
and game schedules for hundreds of others who were going to use the field.
(3) When THPRD closes a field, do not use it. The club can be penalized for improper use of the fields and may
jeopardize our relationship with the Parks & Rec. THPRD regularly visits fields to make sure nobody is using them
after they've been closed.
Appropriate Clothing: (also see Equipment)
It is very difficult for a player to concentrate on ball handling skills and tactical movements when they are freezing wet. But
even in the worst of conditions, every player has the ability to be successful on the field and have a good time. Advise
players to always bring a beanie cap,a fleece or coat for the sidelines, a long sleeved shirt or hoodie for under the uniform
shirt, and a lightweight pair of wool or polyester gloves. Avoid cotton materials. On hot days, you may need more than one
water bottle and a small cooler to keep it cold.
Nutrition:
One of the biggest factors in a players ability to play in poor weather conditions comes from the inside. Players should be
advised to eat the right foods, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep.
- Stay away from sugars (avoid soda & candy) on soccer days
- Eat more complex carbohydrates (rice / noodles) during the season - especially the night before games
- Start drinking water in the days leading up to the event. Don't wait until the morning of the event to start hydrating.
- Drink plenty of water in cold conditions too
- A bed time curfew for players the night before games is a great suggestion. Not many will like or take that advice...
but it's good to try.
| Preparing for the Weather |