Top Tips

Rules of the Game

Did you know that in 2012, 1.35 million children were seen in emergency departments for a sport-related injury? And every 3 minutes, a child is seen for a sport-related concussion.

April is National Youth Sports Safety Month so it’s a perfect time to learn a few simple tips to keep young athletes safe so they can keep playing the games they love.

Here are 5 tips for coaches, parents and kids.

Before playing organized sports, make sure young athletes receive a pre-participation physical exam, or PPE, by a doctor. This can help rule out any potential medical conditions that may place kids at risk.
Bring a water bottle to practice and games. Encourage children to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during and after play.
Stretching before practice and games can make a big difference by releasing muscle tension and helping prevent sports-related injuries, such as muscle tears or sprains. Make sure there is time set aside before every practice and game for athletes to warm up properly.
An off-season is important, too. It is recommended that kids get 10 consecutive weeks of rest from any one sport every year. Playing different sports throughout the year is OK.
Coaches should be certified in first aid and CPR, learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion and help avoid overuse injury by resting players during practices and games.