The football faithful have always known that there are so many injuries that occur during the game of football. It is inevitable that players will become injured, I mean, it is a sport where your body is being put on the line and often is used as your weapon. As the saying goes, it is not a matter of if a player becomes injured, it is when. However, there are many things that can be done to prevent injuries on the football field and many things being done to help make the game safer. As challenging as it may be to the ‘old school’ players, coaches, and fans, the game is evolving and it is for the better.

A few recent rules that have been modified to help make the game safer. Right, wrong, or indifferent, the new NFL style kick off main purpose was for player safety and they also wanted to create an exciting play. I agree with those who believe that the play is terrible right now, and that the NFL should modify it more to make it even more exciting while keeping player safety in mind. But something different had to be done, not only for the game play but for safety as well and this was a good first step. Also, this past year the NFL banned the hip drop tackle (I thought Seth did a good job overviewing it). This rule change was done strictly to prevent injuries to the lower extremities of the players. The challenge, as Seth indicated, is that this stems from other rule changes regarding taking the helmet to helmet contact out of the play. In doing so, defensive players have modified the way that they tackle to prevent infractions, so the hip drop tackle was born. Speaking of head injuries, rules have been implemented to help prevent them from occurring as well. According to Tim Clark of Healthy Roster the NFL reported a 38% decrease in concussions, these are good numbers.

I would argue that some injuries are blown out of proportion from the standpoint of how often they occur and to what extent. Again, referencing Tim’s article in Healthy Roster there were 102 reported concussions in the NFL for the 2017-2018 season. Each NFL game has around 120 plays per game. There are 272 regular season games, that is approximately 32,640 plays in the regular season. This means that just over a third of a single percent of the plays resulted in reported concussions. Please note that; I am not taking the severity of concussions lightly, Tua Tagovailoa two weeks ago made me sick to my stomach and it is heartbreaking to watch. But, in my opinion, the negativity in the media towards concussions has dampened the sport significantly and caused a panic among the next generation of players. With that said, I am glad that the game has changed its stance on the contact of the head in the game. These moves in the game make sense.

Breakdown of Football-Related Injuries

Here is a list of common football-related injuries along with their occurrences by percentage:

1. Hamstring Strains – 17%
2. Ankle Sprains – 12%
3. Knee Injuries (including ACL tears) – 11%
4. Groin Strains – 9%
5. Quadriceps Strains – 7%
6. Concussions – 6%
7. Shoulder Injuries – 5%
8. Calf Strains – 4%
9. Hip Injuries – 3%
10. Back Injuries – 3%
11. Foot Fractures – 2%
12. Wrist Injuries – 2%
13. Elbow Injuries – 2%
14. Hand Injuries – 2%
15. Rib Injuries – 1%

These percentages represent the most common football injuries occurring during games and practices. The exact percentages may vary slightly based on specific studies and populations.

Injury Prevention in Football

Injury prevention is always on the minds of players, coaches and staff. Whether it is lifting, speed and agility, or flexibility, this is something that everyone is keenly aware of and working to help to prevent catastrophic injuries. Now, I will state that football is physical, and that means that there is a certain level of contact that is made while playing and this means that there are always going to be bumps, bruises, dings, and nicks on every player (I know it breaks mama’s heart). Injury prevention in football is crucial to ensure the safety and longevity of players’ careers. Here are some key strategies:

Proper Training and Conditioning

• Strength Training: Building muscle strength, especially in the lower body, shoulders, and core, helps in stabilizing joints and preventing strains.
• Flexibility Exercises: Regular stretching and flexibility exercises can reduce the risk of strains and sprains.
• Cardiovascular Fitness: Improving overall fitness can help players handle the physical demands of the game better, reducing fatigue-related injuries.

Proper Technique

• Tackling and Blocking: Teaching proper tackling and blocking techniques can minimize the risk of concussions and neck injuries.
• Footwork: Proper footwork drills can prevent ankle and knee injuries.
• Landing Techniques: Proper landing techniques can reduce the impact on joints and prevent injuries like ACL tears.

Equipment

• Helmets and Mouthguards: Using well-fitted helmets and mouthguards can prevent head and facial injuries.
• Padding: Shoulder, hip, and knee pads provide added protection against impacts.
• Footwear: Properly fitted cleats can provide better traction and support, reducing the risk of foot and ankle injuries.

Warm-Up and Cool-Down

• Dynamic Warm-Up: Engaging in dynamic warm-ups before games and practices increases blood flow to muscles and prepares them for physical activity.
• Cool-Down: Post-activity cool-down sessions with stretching can help in reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.

Regular Medical Check-Ups

• Physical Examinations: Regular check-ups can detect issues early before they become serious problems.
• Injury Monitoring: Keeping track of minor injuries can prevent them from becoming more significant.

Hydration and Nutrition

• Proper Hydration: Staying hydrated during games and training sessions helps prevent cramps and heat-related illnesses.
• Balanced Diet: A diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals supports muscle repair and overall physical health.

Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce the occurrence of injuries in football, allowing players to perform at their best while minimizing the risks.

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