Study on concussions sounds the alarm for young female soccer players

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There's a new warning from parents who think soccer is a safe alternative to other contact sports. A new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, confirms that while concussion rates in many sports are down, girls who play soccer are at nearly the same risk for traumatic brain injuries as boys who play football.

The new study looks at head trauma in high school sports. Boys' football had the highest rate of concussion, at 10 per every 10,000 practices or games. Girls' soccer was second, at a rate of eight per 10,000. Boys had a much lower rate. In the 20 sports studied, girls had more than twice the rate of concussions compared to boys.

For girls, heading the ball or colliding with another player were the main causes of concussions.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/traumat...TTNjdQEGnol3X8

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Head to head hits are tough to avoid. Based on physics sometimes you're the lucky one, others you're the one seeing stars.

For punts or other headers, coaches spend little to no time teaching players how to head properly and most times don't even know themselves. For sure muscle development isn't as strong in girls, but how many are doing exercises to try and improve that? None. Teach your D how to trap the ball rather than head it, especially for GK punts. Consider using a mouthguard which some studies show may help reduce concussions (for facial hits). Most importantly, keep an eye on your kid. You know them best. If you think they shouldn't play because of a hit, don't let them. Often times it's 2nd hit too close after another that does the most harm.

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I find the studies about cancerous crumb rubber on turf fields much more interesting.

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Head to head hits are tough to avoid. Based on physics sometimes you're the lucky one, others you're the one seeing stars.

For punts or other headers, coaches spend little to no time teaching players how to head properly and most times don't even know themselves. For sure muscle development isn't as strong in girls, but how many are doing exercises to try and improve that? None. Teach your D how to trap the ball rather than head it, especially for GK punts. Consider using a mouthguard which some studies show may help reduce concussions (for facial hits). Most importantly, keep an eye on your kid. You know them best. If you think they shouldn't play because of a hit, don't let them. Often times it's 2nd hit too close after another that does the most harm.

Mouthguards are a good addition but it seriously impares the players ability to talk on the field which is important. Most younger kids try it (because their parents tell them to) and then as they get older you won't see anyone with them (maybe a goalie or two).

[Unregistered]

Head to head hits are tough to avoid. Based on physics sometimes you're the lucky one, others you're the one seeing stars.

For punts or other headers, coaches spend little to no time teaching players how to head properly and most times don't even know themselves. For sure muscle development isn't as strong in girls, but how many are doing exercises to try and improve that? None. Teach your D how to trap the ball rather than head it, especially for GK punts. Consider using a mouthguard which some studies show may help reduce concussions (for facial hits). Most importantly, keep an eye on your kid. You know them best. If you think they shouldn't play because of a hit, don't let them. Often times it's 2nd hit too close after another that does the most harm.

In cold weather, no kid, especially a young one, should be heading a ball. It's like hitting your head with a hard rock. It's also sloppy soccer. Trap the ball and it's yours; head it/it becomes a 50/50 ball. And, when you jump up and head it with the crown of your head and your head is snapping backwards...many kids have had own goals as a result. Be smart, use heading sparingly. You need a healthy brain; you don't need soccer.

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I have seen kids, even in college - where they should be coached not to do - lean into a header so far forward and down that they are level with a kid taking a high solid kick. I am waiting for a kid to get kicked in the head with a strong strike.

If you have to lean forward that far to head the ball; move your body to the ball; trap it and use your feet. Please.

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In cold weather, no kid, especially a young one, should be heading a ball. It's like hitting your head with a hard rock. It's also sloppy soccer. Trap the ball and it's yours; head it/it becomes a 50/50 ball. And, when you jump up and head it with the crown of your head and your head is snapping backwards...many kids have had own goals as a result. Be smart, use heading sparingly. You need a healthy brain; you don't need soccer.

^ this!

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See the latest U17 MNT post. The big goons the ulittle DA coaches love also love to head the ball. They will practically get on all fours to head it sometimes.

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See the latest U17 MNT post. The big goons the ulittle DA coaches love also love to head the ball. They will practically get on all fours to head it sometimes.

Until they get kicked in the head and punted through the uprights. Stupid.

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In cold weather, no kid, especially a young one, should be heading a ball. It's like hitting your head with a hard rock. It's also sloppy soccer. Trap the ball and it's yours; head it/it becomes a 50/50 ball. And, when you jump up and head it with the crown of your head and your head is snapping backwards...many kids have had own goals as a result. Be smart, use heading sparingly. You need a healthy brain; you don't need soccer.

Trapping the bail instead of heading it is definitely the safe way. But by waiting for the ball to come to down to your chest/thigh/leg, you'll risk the opponent getting to it first where their head. So the safe way might lead to a goal for the other team.

[Unregistered]

Head to head hits are tough to avoid. Based on physics sometimes you're the lucky one, others you're the one seeing stars.

For punts or other headers, coaches spend little to no time teaching players how to head properly and most times don't even know themselves. For sure muscle development isn't as strong in girls, but how many are doing exercises to try and improve that? None. Teach your D how to trap the ball rather than head it, especially for GK punts. Consider using a mouthguard which some studies show may help reduce concussions (for facial hits). Most importantly, keep an eye on your kid. You know them best. If you think they shouldn't play because of a hit, don't let them. Often times it's 2nd hit too close after another that does the most harm.

If that were the simple answer, then it would equally apply to boys. Or are you saying coaches of female soccer players are incompetent?

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If that were the simple answer, then it would equally apply to boys. Or are you saying coaches of female soccer players are incompetent?

I don't think boys head the ball as much. Girls seem to think it's cool and coaches don't stop it. I have heard some parents call it header ping pong. Like an epidemic once it begins. High level not as much; they know better as far as ball control.

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Trapping the bail instead of heading it is definitely the safe way. But by waiting for the ball to come to down to your chest/thigh/leg, you'll risk the opponent getting to it first where their head. So the safe way might lead to a goal for the other team.

Not if you know how to shield the ball and hit it to your teammate. No way is 100% the ball your's alone. But a 50/50 is just that. It's all situational.

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If that were the simple answer, then it would equally apply to boys. Or are you saying coaches of female soccer players are incompetent?

The theory is boys have better neck muscle strength.

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It's also sloppy soccer. Trap the ball and it's yours; head it/it becomes a 50/50 ball.

This 1000x over. Even in the pros most headers turn into a 50/50. It’s is annoying and frustrating to watch. Step back. Take it on your chest. Take possession.

Obviously some exceptions. Goals. Rare flicks to a teammate.