7 Tips to Protect Your Child in Sports

Sports has always been a good way to learn basic skills from playing fair all the way to making new friends. It is a place where millions of children, as young as five years old, are beginning to find a place in the world. From football to soccer and everything in between, they are meant to be rewarded, but it can become more than that.

Competition can be fun until someone gets hurts. As a parent and a team manager I strive to find ways to protect not only my children but the other members of our team. Having fun is essential but safety is our main goal and that is why I follow these basic tips whenever we are playing sports.

1) Make sure your child is protective at all times. Helmets and shin guards may look stupid but they will keep your child protected from most injuries. Make sure the equipment is properly fitted and that it is appropriate for the sport they are playing. For example: Never have your child wear football cleats to play soccer in. The peg can get caught in the ground and cause the child to trip.

2) Fair is fair and that is why it is important to always play by the rules. When kids begin to break rules it can fouls and penalties which can result in injuries.

3) Whether you are a parent or coach it is important to understand the appropriate way to do stretches. By doing stretches wrong it can cause tears to ligaments. A good example of this is having a child stand on one leg and bring the other off to the side. The appropriate way is to stand on one leg and bend the other, tucking it back against the body instead of away from it.

4) If you get injured or hurt it is best to stop playing. A small sprain can become worse if a child continues to play on it. Remember that at a young age there bones are still growing so always play it safe.

5) Believe it or not kids as young as seven years old need chiropractic adjustments. By having the spine straighten you are ensuring stability in the spine, muscle balance, and optimal nerve function. It will also help to prevent back pain as they grow up.

6) Eat right and sleep right. A well balanced meal and a good night sleep will keep your child healthy.

7) Finally, it is always important to do warm-ups and cool downs before any game. Make sure your child does not rush through the stretches. By stretching regular before a game you are promoting good body mechanics.

Win or lose, it is always important to keep them safe. By following these seven guidelines you can help to protect not just your own child but someone else's. It is not just the parents jobs to ensure their child's safety but the coach's and team parents responsibility as well. Playing safe will always lead to a rewarding career in sports.