The Most Common Preventable Football Injuries

The two most commonly discussed injuries in football are concussions and neck injuries that can lead to paralysis. Your equipment is designed to help reduce the risk of these injuries, but not all of it. The 5 topics outlined in my previous post "The 5 Most Common Causes of Football Injuries", when combined with good equipment  and proper fundamentals, should dramatically reduce a players risk of neck injuries and concussions.

NECK INJURIES   

The position of your head at the time of impact is directly responsible for any injury a player may sustain. A player should never use the crown of their helmet when making contact with another player. One of my favorite sayings is, "You can't hit what you can't see!" When the head is down bad things happen.

 When a player's head is down and they make a hit in this position, the entire force of the impact travels down the spine, compressing the vertebrae. This is the absolute most dangerous way of hitting someone in the sport of football.

When the head is up, the jaw clinches and the player bites down on the mouth piece naturally in preparation to take the hit. Since the neck is designed to move back and forth, the muscles are designed to absorb that type of impact.

PROPER TACKLING

Just like any other team sport, football games are won and lost on the fundamental basics of the game. A team that can block, tackle and execute will be a winning team.Want your child to be a beast of a tackler? It's simple to learn and really fun once they get it down.

Register your child for GRID IRON Tackle Academy and get them trained in the proper fundamental techniques in order to be a great tackler and be safe doing it.

Three simple phrases the kids will be taught and find easy to remember in order to apply are:

1. "Bite The Football" - this phrase ensures that players learn to keep the head up
2. "See What You Hit" - teaches players to see with their eyes wide open and tackle with their eyes on the ball carrier.
3. "Wrap The Arms" - Teaches a player to wrap up ball carrier's and grab the jersey to secure the hold and bring them to the ground.

There are more steps to be taught but we will save that for the GRID IRON Tackle Academy.

CONCUSSIONS

A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. When the brain bounces off the inside of the skull a concussion is likely to happen.

Newer helmets are designed to evenly distribute the impact and reduce the possibility of a concussion, but no helmet will prevent this completely. The best way to avoid a concussion, is to learn proper tackling and hitting techniques. Keeping the head up, tackling with the shoulders, using the legs to divert momentum, and blocking with the arms extended are the best ways to avoid impact to the helmet. The goal, ultimately, is to distribute as much of the force of impact to the other parts of the player's body, and keep it away from the head.

GRID IRON Youth Sports Training is registering for it's GRID IRON Tackle Academy. Cost is $65 per player. This is the final week to register. Get your child registered and on their way to a safe, fun, hard hitting season with a reduction in missed tackles. Call or email Coach JJ for registration details at the contact information below.

Coach JJ has coached youth sports for over 10 years.  He is the Owner and Player/Skill Development Specialist for GRID IRON Youth Sports Training and trains players ages 6-15 in football, basketball and baseball. Coach JJ, is also passionate about youth fitness and runs GRID IRON "KIDFit Camp" as a result of that passion. He has coached youth football and basketball at the Conroe and Woodlands YMCA's. Coach JJ is the Coach Coordinator and a Board Member for Conroe Little League Baseball and has coached their for several years as well.  Coach JJ is a certified member of USA Football, the national governing body for youth football in America. He is also a certified member of USA Basketball, the national governing body for youth basketball in America. Coach JJ is trained and certified through the Positive Coaching Alliance and is currently pursuing his certification as a Youth Fitness Specialist and Speed and Agility Trainer both through the International Youth Conditioning Association. He is a contracted instructor in football and basketball for the City of Conroe Parks and Recreation Department. Coach JJ is also in the process completing his training with the American Sports Education Program.

GRID IRON Youth Sports Training

www.gridironyouthsportstraining.net

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GridIronYouthSportsTraining

Twitter: @grid_ironsports

Email: coachjj.gridironyouthsports@gmail.com

832-563-0521