Most definitely one of the biggest conundrums I face when preparing for a football match, what exactly should I be taking with me to the game? The thing that I did to solve this was write a list, which allowed me to stop fretting and rushing about before a game. Before this list, more often than not, I forgot one or two items that I later regretted. So, the point of this article is to provide a place with a full, definitive list of the necessary kit for your game. Carry on reading for more..
1. Football boots
The obvious one, but one that is often overlooked. You must remember to ALWAYS bring soft ground and firm ground football boots. You never know what the pitch is going to be like when you’re at the ground.
2. Shin pads
Unbelievably, the last game I played in, one of the opposition players forgot his shin-pads and so had to grab some off a substitute. Seems crazy I know, but it’s definitely worth ensuring you 100% have them with you.
3. Spare socks
Personally, I use the ‘cut the foot off a football sock and wear white socks underneath’ (picture below), and since I’m only wearing one pair of socks.. If it’s raining my feet often got soaked. It’s uncomfortable, and can be prevented.
4. Water bottle + isotonic drink
Your team may provide water bottles already, but I always take my own to avoid any infections of illnesses from sharing bottles with my team-mates. An isotonic drinks speaks for itself, and personally I just use ones that are cheap and high in sugars. I’ve experimented a little and found them to be more effective than expensive ones.
5. Energy powders/shots/gels
I use gels, as I find them the easiest to digest personally.. But this is once again personal preference. They are a MUST. I really cannot recommend them enough. All professional footballers will use some form of energy source, and you must too. Stock up on a few, just in case. However, I find that once I’ve taken shots I struggle to sleep at night, so it’s something to bear in mind.
6. Thermals
Unfortunately, I live in England, and England is notorious for cold weather (even in Summer). As well as this, I live in a VERY hilly place, which often means lots of wind. For me, thermals are a must. I admit, my team-mates give me stick about this, but really, being too cold will hinder your performance, so it’s definitely something to bear in mind!
7. Tape
Most certainly not a necessity for most people, but for me it’s something I can’t do without. I’ve often considered buying some real professional tape. But then I find that normal electricity tape does the job for me. It’s becoming a reasonably common theme for people to use tape, and it’s certainly better playing with secured shin-pads.
8. Snacks
Only recently have I started considering the benefits of eating a pre-match snack and another snack at half-time, you can read more about this here, but it’s definitely worth a thought. A banana an hour before the game will give you a little burst of energy, and a little snack such as jelly babies at half-time will get those glycogen levels topped up.
9. MP3 Player
Not everybody might be lucky enough to own one, but if you do then fantastic. Using this raises your heartbeat, pumps adrenalin around your system and gets you mentally prepared for the game. Not all managers believe in this, Arsene Wenger for example, it’s something I can’t live without though.
10. Work Ethic
By far the most important one. This is something that I have left behind far too many times in the past and have suffered as a result. Work hard, and you’ll have a good game. A perfect example of this is Scott Parker, his work ethic has led him to be called up to the England team. He would literally die for Tottenham and England, and is a perfect example of how every football player, young or old, amateur or professional, should play.
So there you have it, the 10 things you should bring to every football match, rain or shine. I wholly recommend you writing this list down on a piece of paper, on your iPod, mobile phone.. Anything that is convenient and won’t be lost. What do you usually take to every game? Do you think this amount of items is really necessary? Leave your thoughts and comments below!
About Jon Nicholson
where do you buy the power gel? i’ve actually never heard of it, haha. and what does it do?
Hey Emil,
It should be available to buy in most greengrocers or anything of that sort. In England, there is a place called Holland & Barretts which sells that sort of thing. Sports shops should also have it.
I live in a place much cooler and wetter than the uk and I only take my boots, shinpads, medicine and water bottle with me.
If you’ll forgive my very long-winded post, this is what I tend to do I with my kit-bag and preparation:
I always ensure I have 3/4 pairs of boots – a pair of Adipower Predators in SG, FG, and HG given that the pitch conditions are more or less hit-and-miss and I like to be prepared for all contingencies; occasionally I have my AG boots on me too should the game be played on turf; a rarity but then it does happen. The fourth pair is typically a speed boot like the Puma v.11sl or maybe the Adizero Micoach (leather); depending on my mood/needs. Occasionally I will mix and match between synthetic and k-leather boots although I am finding that despite synthetic Adizeros offering something of a benefit in lightness, the touch you get from k-leather is incomparable and cannot be surpassed. Also, sometimes being a bit vain (as many footballers are guilty of whether we admit it or not
) I accessorise my boots based on whether I am wearing the home or alternate/change kit.
As to socks I always have about 4 pairs; two pairs of the long match socks in blue and white and then two pairs of anklet socks too should I feel that I need more “padding” for my feet. I also tend to carry a pair of Adidas Techfit compression socks which are also very convenient and offer some extra support/padding. Compression gear I also have although as they are in black they contravene the ordnance of these having to be the same colour as the match-kit and are left at home; fortunately I have a very high tolerance for cold.
In addition, I always have two pairs of shin pads, one pair being the carbon fibre Adidas F50 and another pair just in case; the F50 ones I find are excellent in the way of being light, unobtrusive and having the Techfit sleeve which guarantees they stay up and render electrical tape redundant
On nutrition/hydration I find that a tub of the Gatorade powder is very convenient and goes down a treat with the other players- it makes about 8-10 litres and covers everybody-although I sometimes supplement that with some Starburst snakes for a quick sugar fix.
Something that wasn’t on the list but I cannot stress the importance of enough is a towel; the humble towel is definitely a necessity for game-day should the weather turn nasty, and of course for cleaning oneself up after the obligatory shower etc. Also, shower-sandles/flip-flops must be considered; there is nothing better than slipping into those after a game to give your feet a break and an opportunity to breath having been trapped in boots for 2+ hours.
In all, my approach is to have multiples of everything and to take the time about 24 hours before a game to ensure my bag is sufficiently prepared; there is nothing worse than being in a flap trying to find your socks, match shorts etc.
But in saying that, my belief is that the most important thing for games above all the materials for the job is having the right attitude/frame of mind- if you are not in the right mental state you won’t perform and not only let yourself down, but more importantly, let the other 10 guys on the pitch down and those on the subs. bench that would presumably warrant a run more than you should your preparation be so flippant. Mental preparation is key and I am in the habit of meditating on the upcoming fixture from about 48 hours before kick-off and ensure I am adequately rested, stretched etc. so when it comes I am ready to execute.
I am a goalkeeper so I bring a lot of things, believe me a lot!!
This is my List
1 Boots; Usually I bring two pairs. My adipure 3s and my adipowers. I usually wear my adipowers to give an extra boost to my kicks. I make sure they are dry before the game. I usually bring SG boots, as where I live (Ireland) the ground is ALWAYS soft.
2 Gloves; Gloves are essential for me. I bring 2-3 pairs to a game. One pair for the warm-up one pair for the game. I wear JUST4KEEPERS gloves and I am sponsored by them. These are the gloves I wear regularly; http://www.goalkeepergloves.ie/j4k-pro-roll-gloves
3: Shin-pads; I bring two pairs of shin pads. A pair of umbro ones I have had for years, which I regard my ‘lucky shinpad’ and a pair of predator ones
4 Ankle/Shin-pad stays: I bring these to quite simply, keep my shin-pad in place.
5 Tape; I bring this to hold up my socks, and sometimes to securely fasten my gloves. Like you Jon, I also use electrical tape, although I got professional tape once, and there is rarely any this difference between the two
6 Thermal; I also bring thermal gear. I bring an Under Armour bodywarmer, and two pairs of leg-warmers. One full length, the other knee-length
7 Cap; This is essential for me, to keep the sun out of my eyes ( when there is sun in Ireland is a rarity!! )
8 Socks. I bring two pairs of socks. My football socks and my regular socks. I wear my regular socks under my match/football socks and they give me a snug secure fit
9 Padded Shorts/Tracksuit ; These are essential for me. I wear the shorts on a warm day, and when the goalmputh isn’t rough or sandy, and I wear the tracksuit on a cold day and when the goalmouth is in absolute sh*t!!
10 Jacket; I bring this for the warm-up
11 : Bottle of water : I use this to drink from during the game and to put on my gloves, to help make them mpre ‘grippy’
12 Towel: I bring two towels. One for drying/cleaning my gloves during the game and one to use to dry off after the game.
13 Confidence/self-esteem : This is vital for a keeper an I try to be confident and to raise my self-esteem before during and after the game
14 Miraculous Medal: To some of you, this is non-existent, but I am very religious and I wear this all day everyday and during the game because I feel that God helps to play well
Well that’s my list, hope you enjoy reading it
where can I buy some Work Ethic? it’s the only thing missing…
energy gels are really helpful. I’ve done plenty of marathons and I usually take 1 every 30-45 mins. You can actually feel the carbs and energy going in your body
‘unfortunately, I live in england’ don’t say it like that dude be happy you live in a country that loves football as much as it does, I certainly do
and in response to Connor wearing a miraculous medal, it’s nice you have faith and all but im pretty sure jewelry is banned in football?
As for matchday items I’m pretty much the same as this list with maybe a pot of pasta and our clubs sponsored jacket, ya know… For the breezy days
Its not a chain kinda thing its a cloth one, so I’m aloud wear it!!
a pair of fg and sg boots
compression sleaves for shin pads
shin pads
gatorade (3X, two for me one for any friend that might need it)
MP3 player
shin pad stays
ankle protectors
knee/ankle braces just in case
lucky green plastic airplane
uniform (jersey, shorts, compressions)
bagels for before the match and a pear for half-time