Below is a list of some of the key areas that are worth considering and teaching your players about, when in preparation for an upcoming tournament. While not a definitive list, it includes some of the more important aspects that should be considered in the lead up to any team event.

Tapering

Up to 2 weeks before a tournament you should avoid high-impact (ie, injury-prone) exercise. This allows your muscles etc to recover from any minor injuries (micro-tears) as well as avoiding injury. However, you should continue to give yourself a good cardiovascular workout (jogging on grass, cycling, swimming) every day up to the first day of play. On the day before play, engage in very light exercise, enough to keep your energy system ticking over and your appetite healthy.

Carbo-loading

Up to a week before competition, start eating copious amounts of complex carbohydrates and try to cut fats and meats out of your diet. Ideal foods are cereals, pasta, rice, vegetables and breads. Simple carbohydrates are also helpful, such as from fruit. Carbo-load each night during the tournament.

Rest

Make sure you are well rested before and during competition. You will need more sleep than usual during the tournament so plan to go to bed early.

Warm-up

Get to your games at least 1 hour before game time and warm-up, stretch and throw continually. Get mentally focussed on the game, as a team and individually. Finish your warm-up with short explosive work such as jumping and sprinting, to get the blood really pumping.

Hydration

Make sure you are well hydrated before the game. Start drinking during warm-up. Continually drink during the match, and for long games try to supplement this with a glucose source. Re-hydrate copiously after the match.

Warm-down

A good long warm-down and stretch is extremely important in retaining freshness of muscles throughout a long tournament. Aim to use at least half an hour. Have a medium-sized carbohydrate meal as soon as possible after the game. This will allow your energy levels to recover most quickly.

It is possible to feel fresh on the final day of a tournament, while still playing hard throughout, but you need to prepare properly and be single minded about looking after your body first and partying a distant second.