How Can Coaches Prevent Sports Injuries?
Oftentimes athletes are under so much pressure to perform that they overlook risks for sports injuries that are staring them in the face. Athletes are also expected to be tough and not complain about the physical ordeal they go through in training and on the field. There are two important elements missing in today’s sports. The first is sports injury education and the second is a safe environment in which athletes can express their fears and share their pain with their coaches without the fear of judgement. This is easier said than done because the coach would have to undo the decades of macho culture that is a part and parcel of sports today.
Coaches can have a great impact on the likelihood of athletes suffering from sports injuries. Here are three ways coaches can prevent sports injuries:
1. Teaching athletes about sports injuries.
Having the right information about sports-related injuries will empower athletes and enable them to have more control over potential risks. Here are the basics every athlete should be taught: wearing the right sports equipment, warming up, cooling down and getting enough rest. But what’s even more important is to know the repercussions of sports injuries. Injuries on the field are not always minor ones like scratches and sprains. They can result in debilitating conditions and even fatalities. Coaches must provide period in-class training sessions on the risks involved in their particular sport, the short-term and long-term effects of the injuries, and ways to prevent them.
2. Create a safe space with no-judgement.
This will need more work than it seems at first glance. You must plan and strategize to accomplish creating an environment where athletes can talk about what they may see as weakness and defeat. You can start each day by allowing every athlete to talk about how their bodies feel and what kind of challenges they faced in the previous session relating to sports injuries. Create pairs within the team so that athletes can look after each other. This is great for team bonding and and will create an in-house rehabilitation team that will become more effective over time. Lastly, reward members that are able to pinpoint any risks of sports injuries like wearing improper gear, not enough warm up or cool down, etc.
3. Manage stress related to the sport.
There is a widespread misbelief that injuries can only be physical. We tend not to give any attention to the injuries of our psyche and this happens more on the field than off the field. Just as it is important for athletes to be fit physically so it is crucial for them to have optimum mental health. For this, coaches must listen to the athletes, discourage any form of bullying and encourage practices that are known to de-stress such as meditation, deep breathing, etc.
Bonus Tip:
Check out this link from Physical Therapy Aide for 105 resources for sports-injury recovery: