How do you handle breaks between games?

[Rambler34]

This past week our 6U all star team went 2 and 1 in pool play and earned a 2 seed going into single elimination play on saturday. After coming out hot the first game we had to take and hour and a half break before the second. We came out flat.

We were down 7-1 after the first inning to a team we smoked the night before. It was very hot with high humidity which took it's toll but the other team was in the same weather. Does anyone out there have any tips for keeping the girls up between games?

 

[amanda_cake]

I put the girls in "timeout". They are forced to stay under a tent, in the shade, somewhere. If there is a playground or something else here, they aren't allowed on it until our last game is over. If they need to go somewhere, like the bathroom, someone goes with them. Be careful with them wandering alone, make sure they have an adult present for all bathroom and concession stand ventures.

 

[druer]

Shade and rest for sure
Fun warmup activity to get blood flowing again
Hydration & Nutrition (They can only play to the level that they prepare their bodies to be ready to play)

 

[Coach JV]

Shade, rest take them to a nearby fast food joint to sit in the A/C

 

[RichK]

6U? Might want to give them a nap : >

Only half kidding, I know my kid at 5 and 6 wouldn't make it through three games in one day...

Unless you dropped the "1" in 16U?

 

[SoftSocDad]

This past week our 6U all star team...

6u all-stars??

 

[EP Dad]

6u all-stars??

That's just crazy.

 

[Coach-n-Dad]

Shade, rest, lots of water, no sugar until after last game

 

[SoCalDad]

One big don't is the swimming pool. Learned this one about 15 years ago. Had a tournament in Riverside county and the temp was about 105. Had a 7:30 game and then our next was 5:30 PM. Went back to the hotel and let the girls swim. Big mistake. Red, watery eyes, sun burned skin, tired bodies. Came out flat, lost and had to play 5 games on Sunday through the losers bracket to make it to the championship game.

 

[amanda_cake]

SoCalDad, how old were they when this happened? I also agree with no swimming pool. I don't even like my girls to swim before practice. Also, glad someone mentioned the sugar. At a certain point, I cut the girls off from food. If not, they will sit there and gorge themselves. If there is a long break between games, I say no food after this hour--gives them plenty of time to eat and all that jazz. They don't need to be gorging themselves in the heat of the day, then puking. So be sure to watch what they are eating. I know some teams are a lot more strict--no eating after a certain time and no foods. The majority of the things on the banned list are the things on the concession stand menu, naturally!