Earn Your Stripes First – Avoid Soccer Concussions

doctor reviewing results

How about kids learn to play soccer, develop their foot skills and have a little bit of sportsmanship?

As you’ve seen here on this site, certainly there are times when physical contact is just not avoidable and may result in a concussion during a soccer game.

Your kid will trip over another, hit the goal post and/or inadvertently strike heads with someone; some soccer injuries may be avoidable and some not. Hopefully it does not result in a concussion, torn meniscus, ankle sprain, etc.

But what about the sloppy skills of players and the (way too) aggressive nature of kids who will do just about anything to maintain possession of the ball or try to run down the field trying to stop another player? Throw in a lackadaisical referee ad you have all the makings of a concussion epidemic.

Kids need to learn proper foot skills to keep the ball and move down the field; they need to learn the skills to box out the right way as opposed to pushing, shoving or throwing an elbow. Coaches see it and they are aware of it…how about spend the time to teach the kids the right way to play and not resort to unrestrained physical force. Not only will it most certainly help the kids in the long term in their soccer play but will cut down the injuries – most notably concussions.

SEE MORE: Reduce Soccer Concussions

And the referee? If he/she see intentional roughness and blatant violence on the field then they should start to throw the yellow and red cards. Why not? Teach the coaches, kids and even the parents a lesson: learn the proper soccer foot skills and develop the physical fitness of each player.

In the long run, skill and endurance will triumph and soccer related concussions will drop. Or so it seems to me.

 

One Response to “Earn Your Stripes First – Avoid Soccer Concussions”

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  1. Dianne says:

    Most parents are familiar and hear a lot about football-related concussions and how serious and damaging they can be but only recently, it seems, that soccer concussions are coming into the forefront.

    It also appears that there are just so many studies and tests out there that the information is overwhelming – I think you do a pretty good job here on this site and am going to purchase the book to helpefully bring it all together.

    Thanks!