Food Restrictions During Tournament

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Feb 7, 2016
117
28
Do any Travel Ball coaches/parents restrict what the girls can/can't eat during long breaks between games? This past weekend we had a 3 hour break between pool/bracket games. More than half of the girls went out to the local burger joint and/or Buffalo Wild wings. The next game was at 3pm, show time was 2pm for warm up. During the game the girls were slow/sluggish. Coaches and some parents feel that their lunch slowed them down. Interested to hear your thoughts.
 
Aug 10, 2016
686
63
Georgia
Our coach doesn't like the girls to eat anything too heavy - parents bring diff types of food to the park so they don't have to rely on concession food. HC also asks that they limit the junk food the night before as well..

But as a parent - I'd be the one telling them that regardless. But then our girls are younger and can't just go out and get whatever they want..
In rec All-Stars, I'd always love to see the other team eating the fried concession food before they played us...
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
It sounds good in theory but there are so many factors (sleep, exercise, nutrition) that come into play I wouldn't blame Buffalo Wild Wings for your slow/sluggish play.

I would look at what happens prior to game day and focus on that. Are they eating, exercising, resting/sleeping properly before a game or tournament?

Short of crashing from a sugar high or eating yourself into a food coma I have found little correlation between what the players eat between games and their performance level in those games.

Every player is different.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
This is a really big issue for me. I know from much experience how what we eat effects us. Even small things make a big difference. We have one girl on our team that always goes for the sausage wrap between games and then is asleep out on the field... I’ve tried repeatedly tried to restrict their diet somehow but have not found a good balance of enjoying the event and not eating crap. My DD wont eat the crap foods usually but she has heard me rant on it repeatedly. Ive sent emails, forwarded info and told the players. But it usually falls on def ears LOL.. if they are going to eat heavy, it needs to be at least 4 hours from eating till they play.
 
Mar 4, 2018
126
28
The coach has no business telling any one else except his own daughter what they can and can not eat. He or she is a softball coach not a dietitian. It is the parents job to feed the kids healthy snacks between games.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
I think a bigger determinant is whether the girls are properly hydrated or not. And usually they are not. My DD, a catcher, is a prime offender and then she wonders why she has a splitting headache by the end of the day. I think most kids know not to drink a giant chocolate milkshake right before a game, but I don't really think that a small burger from concessions will make it or break it. Lighter is better, of course, though.
 
Jan 5, 2018
385
63
PNW
Yes. Coaches do "restrict" or highly suggest. One of the questions to really answer is why are you there? If it's to perform at the highest level you're capable of then the team and individual must have actions that reflect this. That includes a proper diet and the right foods between games. It also includes finding shade between games and resting quietly and preparing for the next game...not running around and playing on the playground equipment. Look around at what the best teams or highest level teams are doing in your area. You'll probably notice some similarities. Our team stays together as a team from when we walk in the gate until we leave the park. We eat together as well-No concession junk food. We bring our snacks/food with us and often a parent will prepare things for the whole team. If you're going to have burgers and wings...at least save it for after the games are played that day and make it a whole team event instead of just some of the team. This will promote better team bonding and camaraderie as well.

Agreed with Nixxy311....love it when I see other teams chowing down on the 1LB Beef hot dog before we play them.

We also have our players constantly drinking water to stay hydrated.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
It sounds good in theory but there are so many factors (sleep, exercise, nutrition) that come into play I wouldn't blame Buffalo Wild Wings for your slow/sluggish play.

I would look at what happens prior to game day and focus on that. Are they eating, exercising, resting/sleeping properly before a game or tournament?

Short of crashing from a sugar high or eating yourself into a food coma I have found little correlation between what the players eat between games and their performance level in those games.

Every player is different.

This is true to an extent but in a previous life I was a bracket racer and reaction times are measured down to the .0000 of a second. The best of the best are not out eating heavy meals between rounds. Same with ball, the best are usually not eating heavy meals between games. Ive seen many players miss balls due to being behind the play.


You can do some research on it subject. It does make a difference. All of the other parts matter too but eating heavy greasy foods between games is not good for the mind’s reaction time as well as the body.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
We had a coach once who would plan a team outing to Golden Corral on the break. lol. We don't have restrictions but my DD is a very light eater on tournament days. For us it's more a matter of convincing her to eat SOMETHING so she doesn't run out of energy. We usually bring protein (chicken salad, lunch meat, beef jerkey, etc), fruit (which is her favorite), granola bars, chips (easy and fast if not very healthy), pickles. On our team if a group were talking about a big meal at lunch I'm pretty sure it would be strongly discouraged. Probably not outright restricted though.
 

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