Football is a contact sport that requires athleticism and proper safety equipment to prevent a person from becoming injured. Practicing preventive techniques and building strength is critical to avoiding injury as is knowing the rules of the game. Football safety requires knowledge on the part of the player in order to prevent injuries.
Wear the Right Equipment
Many players fail to wear the proper or properly fitting equipment that can protect them from head and neck injuries and broken limbs and strains. Football safety equipment that should be worn at all times includes a helmet, pads, mouth guard with strap, jock strap and rubber-cleated shoes, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Warm Up
Football requires bursts of energy in the form of sprinting and pushing forward from the line. Failure to properly warm up before these actions can result in cold muscles being stretched beyond their limits. This can result in strained muscles. An athletic warm-up should include stretching for three to five minutes while holding each stretch for 30 seconds.
Be Cautious in Warm Weather
Don't play football when the sun is at its hottest, usually from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Because strenuous activities such as football can cause extreme dehydration, it is best to avoid hours where it is difficult to avoid the sun. You should drink water every 15 minutes and seek a cool place indoors if you notice signs of heatstroke, such as heavy sweating, weakness, fainting or vomiting, according to USAFootball.com.
Don't Overdo It
If you are a recreational football player who has not performed frequent exercise, such as cardiovascular exercise or lifting weights, doing too much too soon could result in injury, according to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Massachusetts. If you have not exercised in a while, extend your warm-up period to 10 minutes. Also, do not play an entire game for your first time on the field. Instead, slowly work your way up to playing an entire game.
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