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