April is Youth Sports Safety Month. Athlete Intelligence is committed to making sure our youngest athletes are safe and protected. As part of our commitment, Athlete Intelligence will be posting a series of articles and resources to help young athletes play smarter and play safer. Here are 7 handy tips for parents and coaches to make sure kids are playing it safe on the field.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is so easy to forget, but so key to optimal sports performance and preventing dehydration. Make sure young athletes drink water 30 minutes before the game or practice session, and every 15 to 20 minutes during the activity.
6. Do Warm-Ups And Stretches
It’s vital that kids do proper warm-ups and stretching activities before practice or games. A failure to warm-up can create muscle tension, which can cause sprains and tears.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Staying alert on the court or field is important not only to gain that winning edge—it’s also essential in preventing injuries! Tiredness can add to a critical lack of focus, leading to tripping, falling, getting hit by the ball, and unwanted collisions.
4. Have The Right Gear
Like any other activity, ensuring that one has the required protective gear is a must. However, it is also important to check that gear like helmets, shin pads, and other items are fitted correctly to the child.
3. Maintain A Good Diet
To make sure youth athletes have enough energy to play, it’s recommended that they follow a healthy, balanced, nutritional diet. This includes keeping too many sugary items off the menu, and avoiding supplements (which aren’t always safe).
2. Take A Physical
Before engaging in any sports/training program, all kids should have a pre-participation physical exam (PPE). Not only will a PPE determine that the child is fit enough to engage in the sports activity, but it can also bring up any other potential health issues and vulnerabilities that the youth athlete should be cautious about during play.
1. Follow The Rules
The rules of a sport not only form the structure of the game, but they ensure that its players can be as safe as possible. Breaking rules can cause serious injuries! In addition, not observing the the general rules of good sportsmanship can lead to fights and further unsafe situations.
HELP YOUNG ATHLETES PLAY SMARTER AND PLAY SAFER
With advanced impact and performance metrics, the Athlete Intelligence system acts as an assistant coach, giving you the information you need to help young athletes improve their technique, reduce the risk of injury, and keep playing to their full potential.
To learn more about our system please download our Info Booklet.