What's in Your Duffle? Packing Up to Hit the Road

Do you ever feel like you're living out of your car? How about your locker? What about-your volleyball duffel? Whether you're hitting the road with a traveling team or just floating back and forth from practice to game to practice again, most of your life is going to be tucked inside that duffel. Most professional athletes keep their sport bags packed with enough paraphernalia to support a small country during the season.

So what's in your bag?

Everyone's different, so while your neighbor down the way might never leave home without her lucky rabbit's foot the person standing next to you might insist on having his favorite game socks along-whether they've been washed or not! Whatever your game day preferences are, here are some must-haves you should never leave home without:

Practice clothes (2 sets). You never know when something disgusting is going to happen to your favorite practice shorts when you're crawling under a bench in the locker room to find something you dropped, so it's always smart to have a second set on hand. Don’t forget your socks!

Volleyball shoes. The last thing you want is to find yourself practicing in bare feet because youforgot your court shoes and the only other pair you have come with stilettos attached.

Knee pads, ankle braces, wrist guards and anything else you wear out on the court.Uniform. Your uniform shirt, socks and game shorts should take up residence in a clean compartment in your bag so you always have them on hand rather than having to search for them minutes before you have to leave for a game.

**A word to the wise-practice clothes and uniforms are easier to find if they go from the bag to the washer to the bag again. They have a mysterious habit of wandering off if they detour past your dresser or hamper in between, making them impossible to find.**

Deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash (or soap if you have a safe place to stow it) and any other toiletries you like to have on hand. If you have a locker to stow these in, great, but keeping a little travel set on hand for game days when you're in someone else's dirty locker room is never a bad idea.

Hairspray, hair gel, make-up, hairbrush, extra hair ties and anything else you like to have on hand before stepping back out on the city streets after getting hot and sweaty on the court.

Safety pins. Hey, you never know!

A first aid kit. Ideally, wherever you happen to be playing will have one on hand. Even more ideally, you'll never need to use one! Because reality isn't always that easy, keeping a First-Aid kit on hand with Band-Aids, bandages, Neosporin, burn cream, portable ice packs and some Tylenol will ensure that no matter what happens, you're ready.

A ball, preferably with your name on it. Speaking of putting your name on things, always make sure your name is prominently displayed on your volleyball bag. That goes double if you've decided to skip over the fluorescent green model and go for something more traditional. There have been hundreds of occasions where players have found themselves without their car keys because a team mate picked up the wrong bag. Don't let that happen to you!

Change for vending machines and a book, GameBoy or other activity for when you're sitting around waiting. Stashing a bottle of water and a high energy snack for an emergency or post-game pick me up isn't a bad idea either. Just remember to keep them sealed in a Ziploc bag to keep drips and spills contained.

During volleyball season your sports duffel's bound to feel more like home than your home does. Make sure your home is well stocked with everything you need both on and off the courts before you step out your front door.

Check out our selection of top of the line, quality duffels at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.