Travelling with a basketball team requires more preparation than simply packing clothes.
An away game or tournament may require:
- official documents,
- coaching equipment,
- statistical materials,
- personal clothing,
- hygiene items,
- food and drink,
- and technical equipment.
The following checklist was designed to help coaches prepare according to the number of games and days away from home.
Trip Length
| Games | Approximate Trip Length |
|---|---|
| 1 game | 1 day |
| 2 games | 1 day |
| 3 games | 2 days |
| 4 games | 2 days |
| 5 games | 3 days |
Basketball and Administrative Equipment
Player Membership / Registration Cards
12
Regardless of the number of games, make sure all necessary player identification or registration cards are available.
Complete Team Rosters
- 1 game: 2 copies
- 2 games: 3 copies
- 3 games: 4 copies
- 4 games: 5 copies
- 5 games: 6 copies
Licenses
2 copies
Statistical Sheets
- 1 game: 2
- 2 games: 3
- 3 games: 4
- 4 games: 5
- 5 games: 6
Coaching Board
1
Pen
1
Markers
2
Clothing
Shoes
- 1–4 games: 1 pair
- 5 games: 2 pairs
Socks
- 1 game: 2 pairs
- 2 games: 3 pairs
- 3 games: 4 pairs
- 4 games: 5 pairs
For longer trips, pack additional pairs according to need.
Underwear
- 1 game: 2
- 2 games: 3
- 3 games: 4
- 4 games: 5
- 5 games: 6
T-Shirts
- 1 game: 2
- 2 games: 3
- 3 games: 4
- 4 games: 5
- 5 games: 6
Shorts
- 1 game: 1
- 2 games: 2
- 3 games: 2
- 4 games: 3
- 5 games: 3
Long Pants
- 1 game: 1
- 2 games: 2
- 3 games: 2
- 4 games: 2
- 5 games: 2
Sweater / Sweatshirt
- 1 game: 1
- 2–5 games: 2
Tracksuit
1
Personal and Hygiene Items
Towel
- 1–4 games: 1
- 5 games: 2
Toothpaste
1
Toothbrush
1
Toilet Paper
1
Shower Gel
1
Sleepwear
1 set
Creams / Personal Care Products
1–2 as required
Medication
The original checklist suggests carrying basic medication for issues such as:
- headache,
- cramps,
- fever.
Any medication should of course be handled according to the individual’s own needs and appropriate medical guidance.
Travel and Downtime
Reading Material
Bring something to read during travel or waiting periods.
Music Player
A useful item for longer journeys and downtime.
Food
Prepare appropriate food according to the duration and schedule of the trip.
Drinks
The original guide suggested approximately:
- 1 game: 1 litre
- 2 games: 2 litres
- 3 games: 3 litres
- 4 games: 4 litres
Hydration requirements should naturally be adapted to travel time, temperature and individual needs.
Technical Equipment
Laptop / PDA
The original checklist included a laptop and a Palm-style handheld device for coaching and organizational work.
Note Paper
Bring paper for:
- game notes,
- scouting,
- tactical ideas,
- statistics,
- and post-game observations.
Phone Charger
Do not forget the charger.
Camera / Photo Camera
Useful for:
- recording games,
- documenting tournaments,
- technical analysis,
- or team memories.
Before Leaving
A coach should make one final check before departure:
- Are all player documents present?
- Are the necessary rosters and licenses packed?
- Are statistical sheets ready?
- Is the coaching board packed?
- Are pens and markers available?
- Is the technical equipment charged?
- Are personal clothing and hygiene items sufficient for the length of the trip?
- Are food and drinks organized?
- Is everything needed for the first game immediately accessible?
Good travel preparation removes unnecessary problems before the team ever reaches the court.
The fewer logistical details the coach has to solve during the trip, the more attention can remain where it belongs:
on the players, the team and the game.