Football QUICKGuide
The experts at Summit Orthopedics provide football injury prevention tips in their QUICKGuide to prevent injuries and stay safe during the sport.
Play heads up football
You cannot remind them enough to keep their head up when tackling or blocking. Remember, helmets do not prevent concussions.
Build football-specific strength
Work the muscles in the neck, shoulders and upper back at slow speed and at constant tension, and leave plenty of recovery time prior to play. (24-48 hours).
Know the injury risk zones
- Pre-season
The problem: Early practices that are intense, long, and frequent can be breeding grounds for injury, especially after summers of limited activity.
A solution: Gradually increase physical activity to allow the body time to adapt before pre-season starts. - Age
The problem: Younger athletes are at a higher risk of risk of overuse injury.
A solution: Make sure young athletes know the rules of the game; allow muscle recovery time between games and practices (24-48 hours), and ease intensity during growth spurts as it can be difficult for the body to adapt. - Heat
High heat conditions require constant access to cold water, frequent breaks, and parents and coaches watching for signs of heat illness.
Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive sports medicine expertise
From Olympians to pro athletes to kids in youth sports and those that just want to be more active—Summit Orthopedics delivers expert care by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians. If you are recently injured or concerned about ongoing pain, Summit Orthopedics sports medicine specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely help you get back to being active.
Start your journey to stronger, healthier athletic condition. Find your sports medicine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a sports medicine consultation.
Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, Plymouth, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as several additional community clinics.
More resources for you
- Safety Tips For Choosing Football Helmets
- Ask Dr. Skendzel: Can I recover from sports injuries as quickly as a football star?
- Supporting the Woodbury High School football program
- Ask Dr. Skendzel: Is My Child Safe Playing On Artificial Turf?
- High School Football Injury Prevention
Also see...
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Ask Athletic Trainer Erik Collins: Should Athletes Drink Less Water In Colder Weather?
We know we need to drink water during a soccer or volleyball game under the hot summer sun. But when the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, do our bodies need less water? Summit athletic trainer Erik Collins explains how colder weather affects hydration.
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Ask Dr. Skendzel: Can I recover from sports injuries as quickly as a football star?
Professional football players seems to bounce back effortlessly from injuries on the field. Is there a secret to their rapid recovery that could benefit all of us?
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Ask Dr. Skendzel: Given emerging research about concussions, is it safe for my child to play high school football?
Emerging research suggests that concussions sustained by high school football players can result in serious injury. Sports medicine physician Dr. Jack Skendzel helps parents evaluate the risks.