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We all love a good game of football. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, be it during the cold depths of December, or during the hot sunshine of the summer months, football is a sport you can enjoy both indoors and out. It also provides a great aerobic workout for the body, and is a fantastic way of improving your stamina.

But it’s always worth remembering that football is one of the more competitive sports, and that injuries are a common occurrence for participants. And, although it isn’t a contact sport in the same sense that rugby is, mistakes and mistimed tackles can sometimes result in serious physical harm.

If you’ve got an important event or a holiday coming up, and an injury is something you could really do without, there are ways of minimising the risk of football-related mishaps, without being a burden to the rest of your team.

If you’re looking to avoid injury and a lengthy hospital stay, here are some safety measures you should consider:

 

Invest in the Right Gear

Shin-pads are a must, whatever your position. When you’re going for the ball, you don’t want to be worrying about catching a stud or a boot with your ankle, or picking up a bruised shin.

Correct footwear is also essential. If you’re playing on an outdoor pitch, boots with sturdy grips will make you less susceptible to slipping. If indoor 5-a-side is more your thing, invest in a pair of trainers which have slip-proof soles.

 

Warm Up

Always perform a series of stretches before the game, so you don’t pull a muscle mid-match. Remember to focus on your calves, thighs and hamstrings, as well as your groin and lower back. Jog around to loosen yourself up, and throw in some short sprints to get your body ready.

 

Stay Away From Harsh Tackles

Winning the ball in a particularly stiff situation might feel good, but if you’ve got an important date coming up, you might want to think twice before putting yourself at risk. Avoid making sliding challenges, or tackles which leave you open to being trodden on by other players.

If you need to stay light on making tackles, talk to your teammates and opt to play in a less defensive position.

 

Avoid Awkward Landings

Injuries can too often result from awkward landings – and these are most common when jumping in the box for headers. If you’re trying to avoid injury, do what you can to stay grounded and don’t throw yourself into the air for the ball.

 

Know Your Limits

Excessive tiredness generally leads to poor judgment and mistakes, and will only make you more susceptible to picking up an injury. So if it’s coming to the end of the game, don’t exhaust yourself unnecessarily for the sake of pride – if there are subs available, let your captain or your coach know you could do with being swapped.

 

This article is written by Adam who recently had an injury during a game of football. Due to the initial pain, he was prescribed pain relief medication from Express Doctor who are based in the UK.

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