How to Prevent Football Injuries: The Practical Guide for Players

We can all agree that football is a widely played game. There is a risk for those who choose to enter the field. It's a sport where injuries are a possibility. Your performance will suffer if you have a football injury. You might experience a few weeks of inactivity. A person's career may end. This is the reason it's so important to learn how to prevent football injuries. Let's examine common injury types and their corresponding preventive measures. 

Common Football Injuries

Certain football injuries occur more frequently than others. Let's examine them:

● Sprained Ankles

Ankle sprains cause discomfort. It occurs when your ankle forms an unusual twist. In a football game, this can happen at any time. Ankle ligaments can easily stretch. Every now and again, they tear. The ankle swells in addition to hurting. You’ll have a lower range of motion, too.

● ACL Injuries

Knee discomfort may be experienced if you have an injury to your anterior cruciate ligament. Both spraining and ripping are possible in the ligament. Surgery is required for a total ACL injury. On the other hand, minor wounds heal with rest and relaxation.

● Shoulder dislocations

There is a unique cup-shaped socket in your shoulder blade. Your arm bone's upper portion is held there. Pulling this bone out of its socket is the definition of dislocating your shoulder. If it happens, you may experience a significant amount of pain.

● Fractures

Fractures will hurt. You’ll notice some tenderness as well. They can affect different parts of your body. Common fractures affect the proximal femur, distal radius, ankle, proximal humerus, and metacarpal bones.

How to Prevent Football Injuries

Football safety is best achieved through prevention. We can’t avoid every injury. Life is unpredictable, after all. What we can do, though, is at least reduce the risk. There are a few actions you ought to take. In this section, we'll focus on preventing football injuries.

1. Essential Warm-Up and Stretching Routines

It's crucial to warm up before playing football. Don't merely walk onto the field and start playing. It's possible that your muscles are cold and rigid. This significantly raises the risk of a muscle sprain. It's also something that can significantly impact your performance. Leg swings, high knees, side shuffles, and straight leg kicks. These are a few excellent choices to get started. You can also try jogging, sprinting, or some active stretching.

2. Using Protective Gear and Equipment

The right gear while playing football can make a significant difference in preventing football injuries. That’s why you should make sure you know what you need before you go out onto the field.

• Helmet: A helmet can protect your head. This can prevent problems like head injuries. It’s a crucial element when you play.
• Proper footwear: You need shoes that protect your feet. At the same time, they should offer exceptional comfort.
• Knee brace: An injury from a fall or direct impact can harm your knees. Wear a high-quality knee brace to help protect your joints. Seeking a brace with integrated shock absorption is a smart move.
• Shoulder brace: A shoulder brace provides additional protection to your body. You’ll reduce your risk of injuries, such as dislocations and fractures. With many designs, it’s easy to find a double-shoulder brace that’s a perfect fit for your body.
• Mouthguards: When wearing a helmet, it is still essential to take precautions to protect your jaw and teeth. You want to avoid losing a few teeth after the game. A mouthguard is, therefore, among the most crucial pieces of gear for football players.
• Hip pads: Hip pad wear is also a significant issue. They aid in hip protection. This type of cushion is beneficial in cases where your hips are struck directly. They will partially deflect the blow.
• Thigh pads: These are pads that help to provide protection for your thighs, much like hip pads. Once more, they are available in various forms and patterns. To identify the ones that are best for you, do some research.
• Gloves: A pair of gloves helps to protect your hands. This one is sometimes overlooked. You’ll have more coverage to protect your body.

3. Hydration and Nutrition

Before, during, and after the game, it is essential to maintain proper hydration for your body. Water should always be available. Also, attend to your body's nutritional needs. Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein and some carbohydrates before the match. That’s going to help give you energy and maintain your stamina. When it comes to carbs, consider these options:

• Oatmeal
• Potatoes
• Brown rice
• Whole grain pasta
• Whole grain bread

For protein, you could opt for:

• Greek yogurt
• Peanut butter
• Nut butter
• Eggs
• Turkey
• Chicken

Recommended Protective Gear for Football Players

Learning how to prevent football injuries means knowing what gear to wear. We covered this, but let’s get into specific products. Fivali Fitness offers some of the best supportive braces and gear for football games. Let’s look at two important ones you shouldn’t overlook.

1. Shoulder Brace: Fivali Compression Shoulder Brace for Fitness, Breathable and Flexible

A compression brace that focuses on stabilizing and supporting your shoulders. They use straps that go across your chest and back. This makes the brace fit more securely. They’re very easy to put on. You can use them as a preventative tool. Plus, if you do have an injury, the brace can help with better recovery. Velcro fastenings mean it’s quick and easy to wear. The elastic structure of the materials also gives you a more personalized fit. 

2. Knee Brace: Fivali Adjustable Patella Tendon Strap for Sports - 2 Pack

A double pack that lets you protect both of your knees during a game. There are several holes in the brace. This adds to its breathability. It also enhances the way it supports your knees. A silicone pad is embedded into the brace. This adds a shock-absorbing feature. The design reduces pressure on your knee joint. The brace is fully adjustable for added comfort.

What to Do in Case of Football Injury

After knowing how to prevent football injuries, you may still come across football injuries. If you (or someone else) suffer a football injury, make sure you know what to do. It depends on what happened. So, start by assessing the situation. Then, follow these tips:

1. Quick Reaction to an Accident

RICE is the best treatment to administer as soon as an injury occurs. This is a technique that calls for elevation, compression, ice, and rest.

2. Tips for Minor Injuries

Take it slow during the first few days. Use a supportive brace to protect the injured area. Slowly start with strength training exercises as you recover. But don’t overdo it.

3. Handling Severe Injuries

Contact the professionals if you don’t have first aid experience or training. Stabilize yourself (or the person with the injury). Keep still and apply ice to the area. Compression can also help while waiting for the medical team to arrive.

How to prevent football injuries? Football players have several risks that they shouldn’t overlook. With the great support you receive from Fivali braces, you can keep your body protected. We have a wide selection to pick from. Adjustable designs, combined with breathable materials, enhance the comfort and protection you can expect from our products.