Key preventative health measures
USSF
Summary
These three resources provide a comprehensive overview of preventative health measures for soccer players, focusing on nutrition, hydration, recovery, and protective equipment. The resources are designed to support coaches, players, families and club administrators looking to promote safe and healthy soccer environments.
Resources included in this pack:
- Nutrition and Hydration – Guidelines for fueling athletes before, during, and after activity.
- The Three R’s of Recovery – Practical guidance for recovery post-activity, emphasizing Refuel, Rebuild, and Rehydrate.
- Protective Equipment – Checklist of required and recommended gear, with details on warm-ups, strengthening, and injury prevention strategies.
HOW AND WHEN IT CAN HELP
- As a reference for players and families new to soccer who need clear guidance on safe participation.
- To guide coaches in reinforcing nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies.
- For administrators building injury prevention protocols and equipment standards.
- To educate players on the importance of rest and preparation in performance and safety.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS RESOURCE PACK
The resources are accessible, practical, and player-centered. They combine everyday habits (nutrition, recovery) with structural safeguards (equipment, warm-up routines) to reduce injury risk and enhance performance.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING THIS RESOURCE
- Clubs should embed these resources into preseason education and parent/player handbooks.
- Emphasizing recovery and rest is as important as training load management.
- Protective equipment and warm-up routines must be regularly monitored and updated.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
As the governing body of soccer in all its forms in the United States. U.S. Soccer exists in service to soccer. Our ambition is to ignite a national passion for soccer. We believe soccer is more than a sport, it is a force for good.’ To learn more visit USSoccer.com.
Coaches, referees and other members of the soccer community can access a wide range of articles and training opportunities, including related to wider health and wellbeing issues, on the US Soccer Learning Center.
CREDITING CONTRIBUTORS
The Resource Hub is made possible by the generosity of contributors. It demonstrates the rich expertise and collective team spirit that exists across our soccer community.
All resources that have been contributed to the Resource Hub are free for users of the Hub to learn from, adapt and implement in their own organization and community.
Where relevant, we encourage users of the resources to formally or informally credit the resource creator, to acknowledge their expertise and generosity.