WGSC Lost & Found Survival Guide

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A note from Doug Bambini, WGSC Club Director

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If you’ve ever spent a Saturday morning tearing through the house asking, “Where are your cleats?” — you’re not alone! Between practices, games, and tournaments, soccer gear seems to grow legs and wander off on its own.

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I see it every week — balls left on fields, jackets draped over benches, lonely shin guards hiding under bleachers. As a parent and a coach, I get it. But the good news is, a few small changes can save a lot of stress (and money).

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Here are some easy, family-friendly habits to keep your soccer gear organized and accounted for all season long.

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 1. Label Everything — Seriously

A name on a ball or water bottle works wonders.
Use a permanent marker, label maker, or iron-on tags for jerseys, cleats, shin guards, and jackets.

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Pro Tip: Include your player’s last name and team name (for example, Smith U11 Blue). When labeled gear turns up at the field, it always finds its way home faster.

Quick Fix: Keep a Sharpie in your car for last-minute labeling before practice.

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2. Create a “Soccer Bag Zone” at Home

Designate one spot — a bin by the door, a hook in the garage, or a cubby — that’s only for soccer gear.

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Teach your player that when they walk in the door, their bag goes right there. No wandering cleats. No missing shin guards. Just one home for everything.

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Bonus: On game day, you’ll always know where the gear is (and so will your player!).

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3. Do a 3-Minute Sideline Check

Before you leave the field, take three minutes to check:

• Ball

• Cleats

• Water bottle

• Jacket

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Make it a post-game ritual — or let your player be the “gear checker” for the week.
You’ll cut down on 90% of forgotten items right there on the sideline.

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4. Stand Out with Color or Tape

Mark your player’s gear with a strip of bright tape, a colorful carabiner, or patterned laces. A neon stripe on a ball or bag tag helps your player instantly spot their stuff in the crowd. It’s fun for kids and saves a lot of confusion when everyone has the same gear.

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5. Laundry Routine = Game Ready

Once jerseys and socks are washed, they go right back in the soccer bag — not into a dresser or laundry pile. This one change ends the “Where’s my jersey?” panic before every game. Keep an extra pair of backup socks or shin guards in the bag too — just in case.

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6. Teach Responsibility (Without the Pressure)

It’s normal for players to lose a few things along the way. Instead of frustration, treat each “oops” moment as a lesson in responsibility. Soccer is full of life lessons — teamwork, effort, and yes, remembering your gear. Each week is another chance to help our kids build those good habits.

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Bonus Hack: Take a Gear Photo

At the start of the season, take a quick picture of what a fully packed soccer bag looks like. Mid-season, when something’s missing, you’ve got a visual checklist right on your phone.

 

Final Thoughts

We all juggle a lot to keep our players prepared and on time. These small, repeatable habits can take the stress out of gear management and make soccer season smoother for everyone.

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Thanks for all you do to support your players — and our WGSC community. See you at the fields (and hopefully not at the lost-and-found bin)!

Doug Bambini
Club Director, Webster Groves Soccer Club