Football is a high speed, physical game and that combination makes it dangerous for players. According to Time Magazine, two football players moving at full speed can generate a collision with over 1,000 lbs. of force. Those collisions can lead to minor injuries like scrapes and bruises as well as the potential for life threatening injuries including paralysis. With a few rules changes and equipment upgrades, football could become safer for the players.
Proper Tackling Fundamentals
The proper fundamentals of tackling are among the most important things a player can learn. For coaches and parents it is vital that players use proper form to prevent injury while tackling. Football coach Mickey Andrews says that you should never duck your head or lead with your helmet when tackling. By keeping your head up and seeing what you are tackling, you avoid putting your head and neck in an improper position. Leading with the head can produce head injuries and even paralysis.
Better Equipment
Football equipment has come a long way in the years since the first football game was played on November, 6, 1869. These advances help to make the game safer with pads that absorb more force and keep players healthy. Some of the most important recent developments are to football helmets. According to Consumer Reports,at the time of publication, legislation is pending in the Senate that would require helmets to meet more stringent requirements to help prevent concussions. Advances in helmet technologies lately has led to helmets that are different shapes with air pockets that are designed to stabilize the head and reduce the chances of injury.
Continued Rule Enforcement
Professional and amateur football have developed several rules over the past 10 years that are designed to improve safety on the field. Most of these rules center around helmet to helmet contact and using the helmet as a weapon against the opposition. To further improve safety it's important that referees and coaches understand the head hitting rules as well as rules on crackback blocks and chop blocks that can help prevent injuries. The more these illegal plays are called, the less players are likely to keep trying them in the future, thus making the game safer.
Field Technology and Shoes
Continued improvement in the playing surfaces and shoes can help prevent knee and ankle injuries that are far too common in football. In most cases, these injuries result from a player slipping or getting his cleat caught in the turf or grass. Improvements in field maintenance and shoe design could help eliminate these issues which would be a welcome change for many teams and players.
Training and Nutrition Methods
Many of the forgotten dangers in football surround training practices and nutrition. Players in football are taught to become as big and as strong as they can without sacrificing speed. In many cases this is dangerous because of the use of muscle building supplements. For larger players, greater dangers surround gaining enormousamounts of weight to play on the lines. These players are then at risk during training because of the combination of being overweight, out of shape and often on hydration-sapping supplements. By better educating coaches players on fitness and training, players would be safer now and in the future.
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