This entry was posted on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 5:01 am and is filed under Equipment, Football, Injuries, Play. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Avoiding Injury
Family football is a contact sport and it’s possible to get hurt. So, how should you play family football to avoid injury? There are three well proven ways: (1) be in good physical condition, (2) avoid unnecessary risks, and (3) play aggressively but smart. Another key requirement is to play with good equipment. These points are all reviewed here.
The best way to protect against injury in family football is to be in good physical condition. This means: (1) exercising regularly to strengthen heart and body, (2) eating a well balanced diet, and (3) avoiding dangerous substances like tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs. Regular physical exercise of at least 30 minutes a week ensures that the body is fit for the rigors of family football. A well balanced diet focuses on fresh vegetables and fruit and avoids fast food fare that is high in fat, sodium and cholesterol. Avoiding dangerous substances like tobacco has obvious benefits like proper breathing and overall wellness.
When playing family football it is unwise to take unnecessary risks. These are actions where you use your body instead of your brains to stop an opponent. For example, do not just fling your body at an opposing player. Use good sense to position yourself properly to stop or slow down an opponent with the football. As you observe the professionals watch carefully how they protect themselves and yet still stop an opponent. Yes, they do get injured but usually through no fault of their own. After all, professional football is a violent game; family football is not!
When playing family football, be both aggressive and smart. The best way to avoid injury in family football is not to play as if every play could hurt you. Go after the football and/or the ball carrier. Be alert for offensive blocks if these are allowed. Play with abandon but never lose control of your body. A smart family footballer is one who plays under control and sees opportunities to stop opponents.
Another aid to minimizing injury is good equipment. Worn or poorly maintained footballs can cause injuries. Use an official football, preferably an official NFL football covered in top grain leather. This all leather football plays very well and, if properly maintained, helps with injury avoidance. It can be a Spalding football or a Rawlings football. It is also acceptable to use a composite football covered in leather and rubber. The composite football plays less well than leather and is a Rawlings football or an
Keep the game footballs in good playing condition by using quality accessories. These are a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. The ball pump can be a foot pump or an air pump.
The tote bag is a valuable accessory for protecting football equipment. This ball bag or ball tote is made of nylon mesh in many colors and can hold up to 10 footballs. The nylon ball tote or nylon ball bag carries football equipment to and from games and protects it from theft at the games.
Avoid injury in family football by being fit, avoiding unnecessary risks and playing aggressively. Well maintained equipment also helps. Play family football for enjoyment and not for injury!
Posted by June 25th, 2009
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