Preventing Injuries in Youth Sports

As a high school coach for the last fifteen seasons, I have seen an endless string of injuries ranging from mild sprains to horrible head injuries. And, with each incident, I have always found myself reflecting on what could have been done to prevent a player from having to suffer that experience. On some occasions, nothing could have been done. The games, played hard and fair by athletes who have no desire to hurt one another, often have troublesome moments. Injuries happen and nothing can stop them; it is just unfortunate.

However, other scenarios call for an admission of guilt or, at the bare minimum, an understanding that something could have been done better to prevent the situation from having happened. Coaches, parents, and athletes together own the responsibility to safeguard the sport and to create environments in which safety is a priority. A failure to do so is simply negligent, and it defies common sense and compassionate logic.

Regardless of the injury, preparing for and working to prevent its possibility represents a far better strategy than understanding how to react to it. If one occurs, treating it immediately and correctly is critical; however, with adequate forethought and education, these occurrences will, in all likelihood, decrease.

Coaches should...

*have players warm up prior to stretching and competing. Traditional thought called for stretching before running, but modern research shows that static stretching without any ballistic movements or easy running can actually injure the body or ill-prepare it for the demands of a practice or game. Thus, coaches should send players, regardless of the sport, on a jog and put them through a series of dynamic movements before asking them to do any stretching whatsoever. Then blend in the static stretching to ballistic movements; this will keep the blood flowing, the heart rate up, and the body limber.

*craft practices that make logical sense and have a true purpose. Coaches need to realize that scope and sequence in a practice plan is critical to not only the progression of the practice, but also, and possibly more importantly, to the health and well-being of the players. A poorly planned practice, one that gives too much time to cool off and too many chances for risky play, actually enhances the opportunity for injury. Thus, if a player gets injured in a practice that the coach knows he failed to truly prepare for, then the responsibility rests with him for his athlete's situation.

*make available adequate hydration. Athletes, especially in hot temperatures, need water. Some old school approaches use taking away water as a punishment. With all the current cases of athletes, especially football players, dropping dead on the field from heat stroke, coaches should be acutely aware of the need to hydrate their players every twenty minutes. Not doing so does not teach toughness or courage; it is unimpressively stupid and dangerous.

*check the field of play for any safety hazards. It takes only a few minutes to walk the grounds and find any unsafe areas that can be corrected before sending the players out to compete. Anything from bent fences and recessed sprinkler heads to broken glass and loose garbage can cause a player to trip or fall, breaking ankles, spraining wrists, or something worse.

*assess talent properly. Having older, stronger players who have more skill and power compete against smaller athletes with less technical capabilities and/or physical strength is a serious mismanagement of your team. In doing so, you increase the chance those smaller players will get injured. Therefore, make logical decisions about who should compete against whom.

*cool players down. Far too often have I watched teams complete a long soccer match and just grab their belongings and jump on the bus. Muscles need to cool down, so jogging and stretching after activity is important. It takes five minutes, and it will decrease senseless muscle pulls and soreness drastically.

Parents should...

*properly equip their children. Sending athletes into a practice or competition without the needed gear, or equipment that is less than appropriate for the sport, only sets the athlete up for possible injury. The majority of equipment in modern sports is purchased personally by families, with little provided by the team itself. Thus, buy quality gear that will work well, wear well, and do the job it is supposed to do.

*be aware that their kids need attention at home. They must eat healthy and drink fluids continuously. If parents don't fuel the kids well, they will not be prepared to perform, which could put them in a compromised position during competition.

Athletes should...

*be honest about how they feel. If a coach asks if you're injured, tell the truth. While you need to begin to understand the difference between being hurt and injured, listening to your body only makes sense. Heading back out to play with an injury not only can hurt the team's performance, but it can also further the problem and worsen your situation.

*avoid trying to be a hero. Images of bleeding players struggling across the field are simply unrealistic. Sure, some professionals withstand some incredible pain, but it is their job and livelihood. Young athletes will not change the world with trying to play the final five minutes of a soccer match with a broken rib. You have teammates who can pick up the slack, so leave the foolish heroism at home.

*listen to your coaches and parents. Youth athletes, as is the nature of the age most often, think they know best. Yet, trusting those who are more seasoned and knowledgeable is the best bet for your long-term safety. Parents and coaches know you want to play, but they also know that your safety is paramount. Learn the listen to what coaches say and what parents observe. You'll be a better person and athlete as a result.