Soccer tournaments can be a lot of fun, but you often will be far from home in an unfamiliar place. So being prepared is a must for parents AND coaches. What you bring may depend on where you are and the time of year, but here is a good starting point:

• Sunscreen - even in February!
• A cooler with ice to store drinks and lunches if you pack them
• An extra pair of cleats if you have them. Very useful if a cleat breaks off or they get soaked/lost. Don't buy an extra pair - but you may have a beat up pair that still fits your child. It can be helpful to have them.
• Extra soccer socks. Even if it doesn't rain - they get nasty in a hurry.
• A change of dry clothes for everybody in case it rains
• If you have a portable canopy, that can be great for rainy days (team bench) or sunny days (place for team to gather between matches)
• Portable team bench if you have one. Not all fields will have a team bench
• The phone number for the tournament weather line
• Moleskin - play 3-4 matches in a weekend and blisters will happen
• A blanket for early morning games where it may get very cold on the bench
• Team Managers - bring an extra uniform set if you have one just in case someone forgets or loses theirs
• Extra hair ties and sleevies for girls teams - very handy, especially when it's hot out