Cup Final Preparations

[DYLB]

Hi All, we have our League Cup Final coming up this Saturday and was wondering if anyone has some advice on how to make it a really special day for the team regardless of if we win or lose. I feel a Cup Final is a highlight of any young (or old!) players season (or even career) and would be grateful of your help. Maybe something to do after the game? What to do before kick off apart from the usual? The team are U12 boys.

[JaySav]

Make sure you get all supporters to wear club colours.. Face painting for the younger ones (or maybe the older ones)..

Ribbons on cars etc.. If you have them all travelling together even better..

Try to make it a special day no matter what happens on the pitch. Get someone to film all the build up (not sure if you'll be allowed to film the actual game) and then edit it and give it to all the players at the end of season awards.

Maybe a team outing to Mcdonalds or something like that afterwards (if you have a clubhouse even better)..
My main aim would be to keep them all (players and families) together so they can enjoy it as a big team.

Also hope that the kids dont get too nervous and enjoy the occasion and do themselves proud.

[DYLB]

Cheers Jay, We are all meeting at our club and travelling up together, the venue is a unibond premier league ground so it should be a good occasion. Filming the build up etc is a great idea.

[SRJFC]

Don't know if you have time but get a minibus/coach for the players and have them and the team officials travel on that.

[currynchips]

Huge day.
I had my lads turn up in shirt and club tie, decent shoes etc. Go for a walk on the pitch about an hour before if possible, if not at least around the pitch. Great chance to use imagery here.
Use same warm up as usual, have a club pennant to swap with oppo, make a big deal in the team talk.

However, don't make them more nervous/anxious, they may already be stressing about it today!

[alex]

get them doing something to relax/take their mind off it the night before? bowling or equivalent?

[JaySav]

Huge day.
I had my lads turn up in shirt and club tie, decent shoes etc. Go for a walk on the pitch about an hour before if possible, if not at least around the pitch. Great chance to use imagery here.
Use same warm up as usual, have a club pennant to swap with oppo, make a big deal in the team talk.

However, don't make them more nervous/anxious, they may already be stressing about it today!

Haha.. As a a player we had that for a cup final. I thought they were winding me up and would've turned up in normal clobber (luckily as I was on the way home to get changed I saw a few there early all suited and booted)..

Like the idea of walk on the pitch etc.. Try and get as many things like they do on the telly before the FA cup. As CnC says it can be a great motivational tool. A pennant or something would be nice to swap before the game with the oppo.

[CoachAndy]

Apart what has already been suggested, I have also seen on finals day teams turn up in a limo's and known a team to get the Stadium announcer to play there dressing room as both teams ran out onto the pitch.

A final one which I have been waiting to use (but yet to coach a team to acup final) is too get them polo shirts.t-shirts made up with Road to the final on the back (the results from along the waY). Parents could by them for themselves if they want one.

[SRJFC]

Try and get as many things like they do on the telly before the FA cup.

Cup Final It's a Knockout?

[simonhillier]

I remember my first (and only!) final, and my favourite part was the team photo we all had on the pitch before hand. We went in school trousers and a polo shirt with our club name on, and "cup final 2005-6". Still have it now, dont wear it, but its always nice to look at.

A good warm up is vital, give them as much time out on the pitch as possible, because thats where they want to be.

And of course, providing they aren't too young, a couple of bottles of champagne in a discreet place incase you win!! Always good to get the fizz and spray going!!

I wouldnt do anything before hand to take their mind off it, im sure the majority are hugely excited and want to be thinking about it as much as possible!!