| Football is a dangerous sport. Players endure | | | | practices. Ask whether the coach is responsible |
| bruising contact, long practices in hot weather and | | | | for conditioning or if the program has a trainer |
| all sorts of unusual stresses and strains on their | | | | that works with children.Dehydration is a critical |
| muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is not possible | | | | issue among football players since practices |
| to prevent injuries in the game of football and for | | | | typically occur outdoors during the hottest part of |
| this reason many parents are hesitant to allow | | | | the summer. Ask the coach what measures are |
| their children to participate. But the risk of injury | | | | taken to prevent dehydration. Know that fluid |
| can be minimized with cooperation between | | | | breaks should be taken about every 45 minutes |
| parents, doctors and coaches.When your child | | | | and players should be allowed to drink all they |
| comes to you and asks to try out for football, | | | | want in order to keep properly hydrated. Also ask |
| your answer should always be contingent on the | | | | whether the coach, trainers or other personnel |
| results of a full medical checkup. Be sure that the | | | | are certified in CPR.Wearing protective equipment |
| doctor knows that it is a sports physical so that | | | | is a given, but you need to work with the coach |
| he or she can check for the appropriate things | | | | to ensure that it fits properly. Whether or not the |
| like joint flexibility and heart health. After your | | | | program requires it, your child should wear a |
| child is cleared medically, then you can move on | | | | mouth guard. Mouth guards are instrumental in |
| to investigating the program and learning what | | | | preventing dental injuries and can protect against |
| safety measures are provided.One of the most | | | | jaw and certain types of head injuries as well.Ask |
| important facets of avoiding injury in any sport is | | | | what medical staff will be on hand during practices |
| maintaining proper conditioning through exercise | | | | and games should an injury occur. To prepare for |
| and good nutrition. Ask your child's potential coach | | | | the worst-case scenario, consider giving the coach |
| how conditioning is handled. Year-round conditioning | | | | or trainer an emergency health care authorization |
| is ideal, but barring that, children should participate | | | | letter. This letter will allow your child to be |
| in appropriate conditioning programs for at least | | | | transported and treated at a hospital even if you |
| six weeks prior to the beginning of regular | | | | are not there to give permission. |