Sports are great for kids for so many reasons. It provides a way for them to burn a lot of energy but in a controlled setting. It reinforces lessons about teamwork. And, most of all, sports are fun for kids and adults alike. There is a downside to kids playing sports, however, they can get injured if you aren’t taking precautions to protect them.
Sports are mainly safe and injuries that occur are usually minor. However, it is important to acknowledge that injuries can happen but also can be avoided. Avoiding injuries but understanding that even when you do your best is important. In this article, we will go over several tips to help you protect your kids if they play sports.
Protecting Kids In Sports – Get them the right gear
There is specialized equipment for just about every sport out there. It’s important to choose protective gear that will work to keep them safe in their particular sport of choice. This means having shin guards if they play soccer, and elbow and knee guards if they do rollerblading or skateboarding. Try to avoid getting them any old gear and asking them to wear it for the wrong sport.
Also, things like cleats are essential because pulled muscles and overextended tendons are common injuries that can be very painful. Cleats help to give them traction when running and prevent slips. There are different types of cleats for different sports so make sure you get the right kind.
If your kids wear glasses then having them wear some sports goggles is very important. They need to be able to see but also keep their eyes protected. Sports goggles will ensure that a ball to the eyes won’t cause them serious injuries that could impact their vision.
Know how to play
Following the rules is essential for reducing the risk of injury and ensuring that the game is played safely and fairly. This is especially important in contact sports like hockey or football. Hitting a player after the whistle is not only poor sportsmanship, but it can also result in causing another player to get injured since they were not expecting the hit.
Knowing how to play also includes using the proper technique so you can avoid getting hurt while also improving your play abilities.
This includes learning the correct way to perform different movements or actions, such as how to properly grip a bat or racket, how to throw a ball, or how to run correctly. Proper technique and form can also help prevent injuries by reducing the amount of stress placed on joints and muscles.
Protecting Kids In Sports – Know your limits
Overuse injuries are very common in children that play sports since they often don’t understand their limits. This means that they need to gradually build up in intensity and stop when they reach their limit. Otherwise, they will end up with strained muscles and joints that can end up causing pain.
Instead, they should understand that they need to start out slow and when they feel like they can push further then do that at the appropriate time.
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