| Soccer is a very physical game involving lots of | | | | can do a bit more than just have the player |
| running with sudden stops; a ball traveling long | | | | seeing stars momentarily. Also when two players |
| distances at incredible velocities and plenty of | | | | go up for a ball in the air, the chances increase for |
| chances for violent collisions. Though, as a whole, | | | | an accidental head but, which is also a good |
| soccer is a very safe sport to participate in, any | | | | chance for a concussion. |
| activity with similar game play can lead to a | | | | Cramps |
| multitude of minor injuries and potentially even | | | | Muscle cramps are common in any sport where a |
| some more severe ones. | | | | good deal of running takes place, and although |
| There are many factors that can increase the | | | | they aren't very serious the pain associated can |
| chances of injury - like players not having | | | | be reasonably high from the onset through the |
| warmed up properly, wet or slippery field | | | | time the cramp has run its course. |
| conditions, players not paying attention or players | | | | The aforementioned list comprises the most |
| and coaches simply ignoring the rules of safety. | | | | common injuries that occur on the soccer field, |
| Any time that there is an increased chance for a | | | | few of which are very serious and even less of |
| participant in any activity to become injured it's | | | | which are life threatening. The most serious |
| important that someone on staff be properly | | | | injuries listed above are the concussion and the |
| trained in administering first aid, in a sport that's | | | | ankle sprain, both of which will most likely require |
| as active and competitive as soccer, it's important | | | | the player who suffers them to miss a few |
| that everyone be trained in first aid in a case | | | | games, but unless either is unusually severe the |
| where multiple injuries may occur and coaches or | | | | player would likely be back on the field in a week |
| staff need assistance in caring for the injured | | | | to ten days. Proper first aid training will help to |
| players. | | | | identify the signs of each of the injuries listed |
| Here are some of the common injuries associated | | | | above and let the proper course of treatment |
| with the sport of soccer, many of which can be | | | | begin to be followed, whether it be ice, massage, |
| tended to with basic first aid principals and training. | | | | elevation or stabilization. |
| Sprains | | | | Just like in any sport where there is potential for |
| Ankle sprains are one of the most common | | | | impact, there is a chance that some more serious |
| injuries associated with the sport of soccer. High | | | | injuries will occur on the soccer field. Any time |
| speed running with quick and frequent stops and | | | | two players collide at high speed or a misplaced |
| angular cuts is almost a recipe for a sprained | | | | kick from one player makes contact with another |
| ankle. | | | | there is a chance for things like broken bones or |
| Muscle strains and Pulls | | | | deep lacerations to occur. |
| These can come from players who haven't | | | | In the event a situation like this should occur, the |
| warmed up properly, from attempting an | | | | players who are properly trained in first aid can |
| uncommon or unusually high kick or from losing | | | | begin to administer immediate care while waiting |
| ones footing on a slippery playing field. Strains and | | | | for emergency personnel to respond. If |
| pulls, depending upon severity can be | | | | immediate action isn't taken in one of these more |
| excruciatingly painful. | | | | serious injury situations, a more permanent injury |
| Concussions | | | | could potentially occur. First aid training will teach |
| In addition to the feet, soccer players are allowed | | | | players how to properly stop bleeding, how to |
| to play the ball with their heads. A ball traveling at | | | | administer CPR and how to tend to individuals |
| a high rate of speed and covering forty or so | | | | who may be in shock from the severe pain of |
| yards of playing field and impacting a players head | | | | suffering broken bones. |