How To Keep Your Child Safe In Tackle Football
As a mom, the decision was hard to let my son play tackle football. It was scary for me. I had concerns about injuries, concussions, and broken bones. Those concerns are the ones that steer parents away from the sport. But there are things you can do that focus on safety so you can ensure your child gets to do the sports they choose while also lowering the risk of injury. The right equipment is a must.
You Need To Understand The Concerns
Your concerns about tackle football are really valid. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Injuries can and do happen, and there are long-term effects of multiple concussions. As parents, we worry about our child’s health and well-being, and that’s why a lot of parents lead them to choose safer alternatives like flag football or other sports. But hear me out… that wasn’t an option for us because my son chose football it was and still is his passion. If your child is passionate about tackle football, there are steps you can take to make the experience as safe as possible. And at the end of every day, you can get hurt playing any sport.
Prioritizing Safety
- Choose The Right Program – Do Your Research: Make sure you sign your son or daughter up for a tackle football program that has strict safety protocols and certified coaches.
- Make Sure They Get The Proper Training: Proper training is crucial in reducing the injury risk. Make sure coaches are teaching them the right techniques for tackling, blocking, and other things for the game. Since 2012 a lot of programs now include Heads Up Football training. That program specifically focuses on safe play.
- Conditioning Diet And Fitness: I can’t stress this one enough. Help encourage your child to maintain good physical fitness. That is going to take a good diet. Strengthening all their muscles including in the neck and shoulders, because that can help absorb impacts and reduce the risk of injury.
The Right Equipment
- Helmet: The helmet is the most important in tackle football. They can be expensive but worth keeping your child’s brain safe. Make sure you get a high-quality helmet that fits correctly.
- Mouthguard: Dentists are expensive mouthguards are not. Getting a right fitted mouthguard protects their teeth. Make sure they wear it during every and all practices. Even when no pads are being worn.
- Pads and Protective Gear: Fitting is everything when it comes to shoulder pads, leg pads, and chest protectors. You should check them yearly as well.
Educating Is Everything
Being aware of what could happen for both you and your athlete. Learn about concussion symptoms and encourage them to let you know if anything feels off. It’s super important to share what’s going on with their body because they are the only ones that know.
The one people forget about is sportsmanship. When kids play dirty that’s when they get hurt. Preach sportsmanship to your athletes.
There are risks when you play tackle football or any sport and you can’t eliminate them completely but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of them getting hurt. Play the sport you love and stay as safe as possible.