Contents:
- Medical Video: 9 Painful DEATHS Ever in Soccer and Football
- How do you avoid head injuries while playing soccer?
- 1. Using protective equipment
- 2. Avoid playing techniques that endanger yourself
- 3. Avoid playing using violence
- 4. Using the size of the ball that matches your age
- 5. Cover the goalpost with a bearing, and anchor the goalpost to the ground
Medical Video: 9 Painful DEATHS Ever in Soccer and Football
Head injury is one of the risks that must be faced when doing contact sports, such as soccer. Head injuries alone can range from minor injuries, such as bruises or abrasions to the head, to severe ones such as concussions and skull fractures which can be fatal.
One of the famous head injury cases in the world of football is a head injury experienced by Petr Cech in 2006. Cech suffered a collision with one of the opposing players. This incident resulted in a fracture of the skull (fractured skull) which almost claimed his life.
How do you avoid head injuries while playing soccer?
Here are tips that you can do to avoid head injuries while soccer.
1. Using protective equipment
If you are a fan of English football, you must be familiar with Petr Cech who always wears a helmet in every match. Since the injury he suffered, doctors forbade Cech to compete without a helmet.
Many studies show that helmets and headgear can reduce the effect of impact on the head. Moreover, according to Delaney et al, goalkeepers are players with the highest risk of head injury. So do not be surprised if doctors insist that Cech always hit the helmet when competing to avoid repeated head injuries.
You can also use mouthguard or mouth protection to prevent injury to the face and jaw.
2. Avoid playing techniques that endanger yourself
Even though you have used a protective device, it does not mean you are 100% free from the risk of head injury. Using techniques that harm yourself can still make you at risk for a head injury.
This needs to be emphasized in children and adolescents, especially for those who are just starting to football. For beginners, you should avoid heading too often. Keep practicing to do techniques and timings good headers so as not to endanger yourself and other players. It is recommended that the exercises be carried out under the supervision of the trainer and in a safe and controlled situation.
3. Avoid playing using violence
Playing aggressively is not prohibited in football. It is precisely the competitive and aggressive nature that is one of the things that makes football interesting. But acts of violence must always be avoided because they can cause head injuries and other injuries.
4. Using the size of the ball that matches your age
The size of the ball that matches the player's body size will make it easier for players to control the ball. If the size of the ball is too large, the player will have difficulty controlling the ball so there is a risk of injury. Next is the size of the ball that matches your age.
- Ball no. 3: children under 10 years
- Ball no. 4: children aged 10-14 years
- Ball no. 5: for children over 14 years
5. Cover the goalpost with a bearing, and anchor the goalpost to the ground
Not only due to collisions between players, head injuries can also occur when the head hit the goalpost. For that, the goal posts should be covered with soft pads so that you can play safely.
Goalposts portable it should be tethered to the ground to avoid the possibility of the goalpost collapsing and overtaking the player.
Besides the tricks above, F-MARC (FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Center) himself suggested to tighten the rules of the game as an effort to limit contact between the upper limbs and the head. Always pay attention to your safety while exercising for fun sports and maximum achievement.
