Tips, rules, regulations, and guidelines on how to play football safely, including equipment and gear.
Football is an inherently violent activity. The major goal of this sport is to hit some other person. There is an expectation of being hit back but the idea is to strike the other person harder. The intent is not to injure but to defeat. Unfortunately people do get injured while playing this sport.
Even though this is a rough and tumble sport there are ways to make it safer. American football is played by pre-teen boys all the way to grown men in the National Football League. It has been played for decades. In its infancy football had become so violent and there were so many injuries and even deaths that President Theodore Roosevelt almost enacted legilation that would have outlawed the sport altogether.
During this time there have been many rules and regulations aimed at making the sport safer. If adhered to these rules do work in preventing many injuries. So it is that rules and regulations are important safety tips.
Another important football safety tip is to don the appropriate gear while practicing or playing football. From the pee-wee leagues through the NFL there are uniforms and protective pads that are prerequisites to safety. Proper fitting helmets, shoulder pads, thigh pads, knee pads and hip pads are a must. A jock-strap with a protective cup must also be worn.
Proper shoes should also be worn. If the game is going to be played on a grass field then cleats would work the best. Cleats come in various lengths so some experimenting will assist in choosing the best size. If the game is going to be played on artificial grass there are athletic shoes made for just this purpose.
It is extremely important to wear a mouthpiece. In order to avoid damage to the teeth or lips a mouthpiece should be custom molded to each individual. It would be foolhardy indeed to enter a football game without this piece of equipment.
Football is about scoring points or preventing the scoring of points. There is running, catching, blocking and tackling. One thing for sure is a person playing it will get hit by someone else. The best way to avoid being hurt is to hit first and hit harder. Use proper blocking or tackling techniques.
Recievers must know how to protect themselves when catching a pass. They are most vulnerable when reaching out to catch a football. Runningbacks and quarterbacks must protect themselves as much as possible too. A good stiff-arm can keep an offensive player from getting hurt when on the recieving end of a crunching tackle.
It is also quite important to be in the best physical shape possible. Weightlifting and running help but stretching and even yoga will improve performance on the field. And, believe it or not, learning how to fall correctly is an important safety tip because if a person plays football somehow somewhere he is going to be knocked down.
Study the rules. Read books on football. Vince Lombardi comes to mind. Lombardi was a legendary coach for the Green Bay Packers. Pop Warner would also be a good read. Learn about the strategy of the game and safety will be enhanced.
