Soccer is the most popular sport in the world for good reason: it's easy to learn at a young age and a great source of exercise. Plus, it's an exciting, fast-paced game that's lots of fun to play.
But soccer is a contact sport, and injuries are bound to happen even when kids play.
Use these safety tips to keep things as safe as possible for your kids who play soccer.
Gear Guidelines
Soccer doesn't require a lot of gear for each player other than shin guards and cleats, but it's a good idea to give some thought to all of these important pieces of equipment before your kids play:
- Soccer cleats. Choose a pair of shoes with molded cleats or ribbed soles. Shoes with screw-in cleats may carry a higher risk of injury, so only use them when extra traction is needed, such as on a wet field or a field with tall grass.
- Shin guards. If soccer players get lower leg injuries, it's usually because they weren't protected with adequate shin guards. A good shin guard will mold to the shin, end just below the knee and fit snugly around the ankle bone. Bring your kids' soccer socks and cleats with you when you buy shin guards to be sure that they'll fit properly.
- Soccer socks. These are meant to hold shin guards securely in place during practice or play.
- Mouthguards. These are a good way to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue.
- Goalie gear. Goalies will want to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants or shorts with padding and specialized goalie gloves to protect their hands while stopping shots.
Before Taking the Field
Here are some things kids can do to help prevent injuries all season long:
- Start working out and eating right a few months before the season is set to begin. Better yet, get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet year-round.
- Always warm up and stretch before playing. Do some jumping jacks or run in place for a few minutes to warm up muscles before stretching. It's a good idea to stretch after a game or practice, too.
- Inspect the goals at each end of the field to make sure they're safe. Goals should be securely anchored to the ground, and goal posts should be well padded to decrease the risk of injuries to goalies and players who collide with the posts.
- If the field is wet, use synthetic, nonabsorbent balls. Leather balls can become waterlogged and very heavy, increasing the risk of injury.
A Few Other Reminders
- Kids should have a pre-season sports physical exam (different from a regular physical exam) before every season to be sure they are ready to play.
- If kids are injured or feel pain while playing, they should know they need to ask to come out of the game and be seen by a doctor.
- Make sure there is first aid available at the fields where you play and practice, as well as someone who knows how to administer it.
- Keep kids hydrated, particularly on hot, sunny days, by giving them plenty of fluids before, during and after games and practices.
- Remind them to remove any piercings or jewelry before playing.
Remember, keep soccer fun for you and the kids. Just follow some basic safety precautions and you should be able to help your kids avoid most injuries.