From my years of coaching/playing experience, DO NOT CUT THE STRAP OFF THE MOUTHPIECE. ATTACH IT TO THE FACEMASK.
With that being said, many players watch pro and college players take out their mouthpieces and tuck them into the helmet or other places and will want to copy these heroes.
PROBLEM : They will get lost and then during a practice of game they will not have their mouthpieces and will have to sit out :(
Then YOU get the emergency tears and you are running to Fitz's or Walmart for another one. We usually also buy a second one for Bailey in advance and put it in his football bag.
WHICH LEADS TO....
Also, I would find a large bag that all of their football stuff will fit in and use it to keep track of all of their stuff. Bailey has an old hockey bag and as soon as he gets home everything goes in it. This is especially helpful when you are late because you just grab the whole bag and they change on the way to the game or practice.
Hope this makes your life a little less crazy :)
-- Coach Joe Wieland
[A footnote from Jim:
If your son has braces, don't be shy about checking in with your orthodontist about the mouthguards. When I told our orthodontist that Nick would be playing football, he immediately offered to help adjust a mouthguard for Nick.]
