Football Safety Training

Football is a physically demanding sport. While injuries are unavoidable over the course of a game or even a career, there are ways that an athlete can alleviate the potential for harm. Coaches can help train players to avoid injuries by focusing on proper technique, good stretching habits and knowledge of the rules.

  1. Stretching

    • The first thing an athlete needs to know about football training is proper stretching. Coaches should have their players start practice with a light jog (less than 400 yards) and then break them into stretching lines. Players should do a series of stretches aimed at warming up the muscles in their legs, arms, backs, shoulders and necks. These can be done in a series of moves that range from stationary stretches, such as touching their toes, rolling their necks and lifting their knees to their chest, to movement-based preparation, including hopping on one foot for 10 yards and running while swinging the hips.

    Technique

    • Players can sustain injuries when they don't know proper technique. Coaches need to focus on teaching players to do things such as tackling with their heads up, keeping their feet wide apart when blocking, never hitting their helmet against another player's helmet and running low to the ground. This can be done in practice, using repetitive drills such as tackling a foam dummy or blocking a sled.

    Knowledge of the Rules

    • A key to teaching safety is knowing the rules. Coaches need to take time in practice to teach players the importance of knowing rules such as avoiding running into the backs of opponents, aiming tackles at a player's knees or stepping on another player's body with cleats.

    Hydration and Nutrition

    • Hydration and nutrition are keys to safety as well. Places who aren't drinking enough water before and during practice are more likely to suffer from cramps and muscle pulls that could lead to more serious injuries. Athletes who aren't eating properly also face possible issues with fatigue and collapse. Coaches need to be aware of these factors during practice.

    Spotting Potential Injuries

    • Coaches need to know what to do in an emergency as well to help avoid serious injuries to players. For example, if a player is lying on the ground after a collision, a coach needs to keep the player still until diagnosing the extent of possible injuries. The presence of a training and medical staff is imperative. Coaches need to teach players to learn the signs of an injury such, as a neck stinger, muscle pull or serious fatigue.