Since young football players—even those as young as 6 years old—are not immune to injuries, they should be taught how to play the game safely, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Teaching young players how to play fairly and follow the rules of the game can help prevent injuries in the long run, advises the AAP in an article that appears on HealthDay part of MedlinePlus.
Injuries associated with football can include those to the fingers, knees, shoulders, eyes, and head.
To help prevent such injuries, the AAP recommends that athletes should not be allowed to play without supervision, their shoes and equipment should be checked, their uniforms and helmets fit properly and their shoulder pads should be the proper size, and that a plan be in place in the event of an emergency.
[Source(s): American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthDay]
