| As soccer is one of the most well loved sports on | | | | area can be dangerous to you and others. As a rule, |
| Earth, many children and adults are lured into | | | | common sense is the best safety precaution you |
| participating in playing on a daily basis. Due to this | | | | have. If it involves doing something that could harm |
| wide spread popularity, soccer injuries are very | | | | yourself or others, such as walking over the back of |
| common. | | | | the bleachers, climbing over people and tall benches, it |
| With over 80,000 adults and children going to | | | | should be avoided for your sake and others. |
| emergency rooms every year as a result of soccer, | | | | Equipment |
| knowing the safety rules is vital. When playing and | | | | Without soccer safety equipment, all of the in game |
| watching, there are certain things that you should | | | | rules would be ineffective. Shin guards, cleats, jerseys |
| always be aware of so that you and your | | | | and proper fitting shorts and socks all work together |
| teammates or family members are not among those | | | | to ensure that every player can enjoy the game |
| hurt through either playing or watching. There are | | | | without being at high risk of injury. Shin guards are |
| several categories of safety rules that you should be | | | | used to prevent bruising or breaking of the lower |
| aware of. These consist of the following: | | | | portion of the leg, where cleats and soccer balls are |
| - On Field Safety | | | | highly likely to hit you. Without these, such as lotto |
| - Goal Safety | | | | shin guards, you put yourself at high risk. |
| - Stadium Safety | | | | Wearing a proper pair of cleats, such as the ones |
| - Equipment | | | | designed by Nike, gives you more grip into the turf. |
| - Weather Safety | | | | This grip helps to prevent sprains and breaks in the |
| - Miscellaneous Accessories | | | | ankles. These shoes also give your feet adequate |
| On Field Safety | | | | protection from other pairs of cleats and impact with |
| Of all of the categories, on field safety is the one | | | | the soccer ball. |
| that players are constantly aware of. This is where | | | | Proper fitting clothing, ranging from the jersey, shorts |
| most children and adults are injured. Whether it is a | | | | and socks, contribute to player comfort. This is |
| sprained ankle from tripping over the ball, collisions, | | | | important, as distractions from the game can lead to |
| and other accidents, there are several things that | | | | injuries to yourself and others. It is always advisable |
| you can do to prevent injury. Sprained ankles are one | | | | to wear your proper jerseys to practice or to |
| of the most common soccer injuries, as there is a | | | | games. Specially designed jerseys and shorts are |
| great deal of foot work involved. | | | | designed to handle the rigors of soccer. The fabric in |
| These injuries can be avoided by using a slight | | | | particular is designed to stand up against grass stains |
| amount of caution when passing or receiving the ball, | | | | as well as be comfortable. |
| as well as taking care when running down the field. | | | | Weather |
| Proper foot position when handling the ball is one of | | | | One aspect of soccer safety that is forgotten by |
| the most effective ways at preventing this type of | | | | many players and parents is weather conditions. |
| injury. Unfortunately, accidents will happen, regardless | | | | Playing in the rain can be a fun, invigorating |
| of how careful you are. By being diligent, you can | | | | experience, treasured by players for years to come. |
| make certain whatever injuries you sustain are minor | | | | Despite this, playing in muddy conditions is dangerous. |
| and should not interfere with future game play. The | | | | The slipping and sliding that creates a great deal of |
| key rule to preventing injuries on the field is to | | | | the enjoyment taken from playing soccer in the rain |
| always be observant. Know where the ball is and | | | | leaves room for a wide variety of different injuries. If |
| know who is around you. | | | | you choose to play soccer in the rain, make certain |
| Goal Safety | | | | you take every precaution possible, from wearing |
| Whether you are the goalie, or a player on defense, | | | | cleats, guards and your protective gear. |
| the goal can occasionally become a safety hazard. In | | | | When a full fledged storm comes up, complete with |
| most instances, collisions with goal or goalie are | | | | thunder and lightning, game play should be ended |
| caused by lack of observation. Whether you trip and | | | | immediately. A soccer field is the worst place to be in |
| fall into the goal posts, or hit the goalie by accident, | | | | the middle of a lightning storm, and parents as well as |
| you need to make certain that you are always | | | | players have been killed or maimed by lightning. If |
| watching where you going when moving in to score. | | | | lightning is spotted and your referee does not end |
| Not only can this action cause injury, it can also get | | | | the game, you should still leave the field as soon as |
| you carded which could potentially have you | | | | possible. |
| removed from the game. | | | | Miscellaneous Accessories |
| Another point to consider when shopping for 8 x 24 | | | | Before you play soccer, you need to make certain |
| soccer goals, is to consider goals with rounded posts | | | | that you are not wearing miscellaneous accessories |
| instead of square posts. When colliding with a post, | | | | such as earrings, anklets and other pieces of jewelry |
| you're more likely to skip off a rounded one and | | | | that could be broken or cause harm. Earrings in |
| avoid serious injury. | | | | particular are prone to being torn from earlobes when |
| Stadium Safety | | | | contact is made with a soccer ball. By removing |
| For parents, guardians and friends, there are a few | | | | these pieces of jewelry and other items of this |
| stadium safety tips that tend to be neglected when | | | | nature, you can help prevent injuries to yourself that |
| the subject of soccer safety comes up. Occasionally | | | | could be disfiguring. If you are considering getting |
| a player can lose control of the soccer ball, and it | | | | piercings and you play soccer, you may want to |
| enter the stands where you are observing the game. | | | | consider planning to have your piercings done when |
| Injuries due to being hit with the ball, or any other | | | | the soccer season is over. |
| piece of equipment that flies your way, can be easily | | | | If you keep all of these things in mind while playing or |
| prevented by making certain you pay attention at all | | | | observing soccer games, you should be able to enjoy |
| times. | | | | the sport while being at low risk of injury. |
| Running through the stands, or through the player's | | | | |