The Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention released a study last month finding that football coaches with a sports-based education may help make football safer for young athletes. Researchers examined data for about 2,108 athletes between the ages 5 and 15. The study found that the football athletes were 43% less likely to sustain concussions in practices and 29% less likely to sustain a concussion when playing a game if their coaches had taken part in the USA Football “Heads-Up Football” training program.
The study is important in that it suggests that all coaches are not made alike. Whether a parent is choosing a coach for afterschool practice or a school is hiring an athletic director for their sports department, experience and training matter. There many ways that we can ensure that our children can avoid sports injuries in Hollywood and across Florida:
1) Ask about qualifications and training.
If your child is taking part in an afterschool or summer sports program or is on an athletic team at school, asked questions about who will be taking care of training and practice. Are the coaches qualified? What sort of training have they had? What about assistant coaches and other athletic staff? Is there a history of previous injuries on their teams? You have every right to ask questions about the people who are entrusted with your child’s safety.
2) Get training yourself if you’re helping your child with athletics.
If you want to help your child with their athletic goals, consider hiring a private, experienced coach or trainer to help them. If this is not an option, make sure that you don’t inadvertently cause injury; get some basic sports or coaching training so that you can spot your child or act as a support team.
3) Demand that schools take sports injuries seriously.
Does your child’s school have a written policy for head injuries and other serious injuries? Does the school have a system for hiring only qualified coaches, coaches assistants, and trainers? Find out what policies exist at your child’s school and read them. Encourage the school to adopt safer practices if the policies in place are lacking. Not only will it keep all children safe, but it can also help prevent injuries and can help the school avoid litigation.
If your child has been injured while playing sports, do not hesitate to contact Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation case review. Schools and children’s programs are required to take the steps needed to keep children safe. When they do not, they can be held accountable for the injuries and the pain and suffering your child faces. At Flaxman Law Group, our team of attorneys has handled thousands of personal injury, sports injury, and child injury cases and we have recovered damages in settlements and court wins on behalf of clients. We would be very pleased to sit down with you and review your situation to help you understand whether you have a civil claim or other legal options. Simply contact our law offices to find out more.