Sports are a great way for kids to have fun, make friends, stay active and learn teamwork. But many parents worry about concussions and other brain injuries, especially when their children play contact sports. This doesn’t mean parents should keep kids away from sports like football, rugby or boxing. The benefits of sports can be very important for children. The key is to understand the risks and take steps to make sports safer.1
Kids today often start playing sports at a much younger age. Many children begin in elementary school and may play the same sport all year. In the past, kids often played different sports during different seasons. Today, some children spend many more hours practicing and playing one sport. More time in a contact sport can mean more chances for injuries. That is why parents, coaches and sports groups all have a role in keeping young athletes safe. Here are six ways to protect your child:1
- Limit Full-Contact Play (Younger Kids): For children under 13, consider limiting full-contact play. That does not mean your child cannot learn football. Flag football is a good way to learn the game.
- Look for Leagues with Safer Practices: Ask how much contact is allowed during practices. This is important because concussions can happen during practice, not just during games.
- Make Sure Coaches Teach Safe Techniques: Good coaching can help lower the risk of injury. Football players should learn how to tackle safely. They should be taught to use the right technique and avoid leading with their head. Coaches should make safety a part of every practice.
- Make Sure Coaches Follow Concussion Rules: Coaches need to know the signs of a concussion and what to do when a player may have one. A child with a possible concussion should not stay in the game just because they say they feel fine.
- Know When to Take Your Child Out: Watch your child closely after a hard hit. If your child looks dizzy, confused, unsteady, or shaken after a hit, take it seriously. A child may say they are fine because they want to keep playing.
- Know the Signs of a Head Injury: Concussion symptoms can be different from child to child. After a hard hit, watch for signs such as: headache, dizziness, confusion, trouble walking or staying balanced, nausea or vomiting, being unusually tired, trouble thinking or remembering, acting differently than usual or problems seeing clearly.
The risk of injury is something every parent should take seriously. But fear does not have to keep kids from playing sports. Sports can help children build strong bodies, confidence, friendships and important life skills. Parents can help by choosing programs that put safety first, asking questions, and speaking up when something does not seem right. Your child’s safety is more important than winning a game. If you are interested in becoming an Advocate for the Innocent member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit https://advocatefortheinnocent.org/memberships/.
1 – https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/cte-risks-and-youth-sports-how-to-keep-child-athletes-safe
2 – Image by Freepik/Magnific