Each year, more than 477,500 soccer-related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital emergency rooms.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following youth soccer injury prevention tips:

• Always take time to warm up and stretch [1]. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running or walking in place for 3 to 5 minutes. Then slowly and gently stretch, holding each stretch for 30 seconds.
  

• Wear shin guards [2] to help protect your lower legs. Soccer tournament records have shown that most players who sustained lower leg injuries were not protected by adequate shin guards.
  

• Wear soccer shoes [3] (a/k/a boots) with molded cleats or ribbed soles. Shoes with screw-in cleats often are associated with a higher risk of injury. However, shoes with screw-in cleats should be worn when more traction is needed, such as on a wet field with high grass.
  

• Use synthetic, nonabsorbent balls on wet playing fields. Leather balls can become water-logged and very heavy when wet, putting players at high risk for injury.
  

• Don't crawl or sit on the goal or hang from the net. Injuries and deaths have occurred when goals have fallen [4] onto players.
  

• Soccer goals should be well padded [5] and properly secured [4]. Padding the goal decreases the incidence of head injuries when the goalie and other team members collide with the posts.
  

• The playing surface [6] must be kept in good condition. Holes on the playing field should be filled, bare spots reseeded, and debris removed.
  

• Be knowledgeable about first aid [7] and be able to administer it for minor injuries, such as facial cuts, bruises, or minor tendinitis, strains [8], or sprains [9].
  

• Be prepared for emergency situations and have a plan [10] to reach medical personnel [11] to treat injuries such as concussions [12], dislocations, elbow contusions, wrist or finger [13] sprains, and fractures.

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