Injuries

Football and injuries

Football is a highly physical sport. It is inevitable that some injuries will occur.

Prayer

Our number one injury prevention strategy is prayer. Please pray with us that our players and the players on the teams we compete with are kept safe by the merciful hand of God.

Injury prevention

There are ways to prevent and minimize injuries.

Always warm up and stretch before and after exercise. Get the muscles warm and loose before you use them. Stretching is not a competition.

Very small players will be limited to situations where they are not in a serious size mismatch with an opponent. We'll discuss this with each player that fits this description and his parents before the season begins.

We will teach the proper way to tackle, run, and block. We will stress proper technique and avoid unnecessary risks during practice.

Never lead with your helmet

We will teach this so often that the players will get tired of hearing about it. A player who uses his body like a spear (eyes down, top of helmet making first impact) is risking serious injury to himself and others. He will immediately be taken out of the game or practice. Repeat offenses could result in the player being suspended.

Injury evaluation

Report an injury to the coaches immediately. Coach Tony should be notified first, if possible.

If injured in a game, consider the following:

Scott and White Healthcare Round Rock is hosting free (excluding imaging) walk-in clinics starting at 9 am every Saturday morning during the fall semester, to address pediatric acute sports injuries. This program uses the latest techniques and technology to provide care for all 7-12th grade athletes.

• Athletes must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

• Please arrive between 8 and 9 am.

• This walk-in clinic is for acute sports injuries only. Sports physicals are not offered.

• Offered August 29th-November 5th

For more information, contact Diana Operhall-Salter at 512-509-0287, dsalther@swmail.sw.org 300 University Blvd, RR, TX 78665

Playing injured

There is a difference between muscle soreness and injury. There is also pain involved in a football hit that does not necessarily result in injury.

In some cases, the players are going to have to be the judge of when they need to come out of a game. The coaches will not force a player to play injured. In fact, just the opposite is the case. A coach may prevent a player from re-entering a game even if the player wants to.

The most obvious example of this is a concussion. All concussions will be treated seriously and the player will be immediately removed from the game if he is showing signs of concussion.

Players should also feel comfortable taking themselves out of a game or practice situation if they have asthma or other chronic breathing problems.

Minor Injuries

The good news is that most injuries are minor. Below are some tips for minimizing the time to heal.

Cuts and scrapes

If you get a cut or scrape during practice or game, get it treated. Clean it and bandage it. Keep putting Neosporin on it and re-bandage daily until wound is healed and redness is gone.

Sprains

P. R. I. C. E.

P - Protect it from further injury

R - Rest the sprained area

I - Ice for first 24 hours

C - Compress the sprained area

E - Elevate the sprained area above the heart

Sleep