Preventing Concussions in Soccer

While soccer concussions will never be completely eliminated, with a focus on prevention they could happen less frequently. Officials need to maintain a tight, clean game to prevent all kinds of injuries caused by overly rough or dirty play.

Goal posts should be padded, and balls should be properly, not overly, inflated. Some people advocate for helmets, but many are resistant fearing the unintended effects it could have on the game. When it comes to heading the ball, kids should be taught the proper techniques, and US Youth Soccer recommends not at all until age 10.

SEE MORE: 5 Tips on How to Head a Soccer Ball

As long as participation in soccer keeps growing (and it does!), the number of soccer-related concussions will too. While most are classified as minor, they all need to be taken seriously. Give the player the time he or she needs to completely heal. This means not playing until the doctor says they’re ready. Better to miss a game than to get another concussion too soon and run the risk of serious and long term damage.

Concussion treatment varies from using pain relievers for headaches to simple rest. Rest consists of both physical and mental rest. If a player jumps back in too soon before fully recovering then the next concussion with be more severe and take longer from which to recover. Just not worth it! 

You and I may know this, but the tricky part may be convincing your player.