Looking at the sport of soccer, it’s hard to believe there are only 10 rules you need to follow in order to play the game safely. The rules are way above 10, but the scope for this article only covers “10 Safety Rules for Soccer”.
However, safety does need to be at the forefront of your mind when playing soccer, especially when you are playing competitively. So whether you are coaching soccer or playing at the professional level, here are 10 things to remember in order to play safely and avoid injuries while on the field (or off).
This article covers both soccer at the professional level, training session or just getting involved in a fun soccer game.
10 Safety Rules for Soccer Players
Know When to Call Time out and Get Help
If you can’t get an injury under control, don’t be afraid to call a time out and get help.
The last thing you want is to leave the game with a serious injury that could have been prevented. Similarly, if your teammates are in danger of injuring themselves or others—or if they are already injured—don’t hesitate to step in and stop play. While it may feel like you’re interrupting the game or slowing down your team, it will keep everyone safer in the long run.
In order not to get situations worse, call a time out and seek for help. You must not complete every match, safe yourself today to play some other day.
Dress Appropriately for the Weather Conditions
If your team will be practicing in extreme weather conditions, make sure they dress accordingly. This means wearing clothing that is appropriate for both heat and cold. If it’s too hot or cold, players are more likely to get overheated or sick. To avoid these issues, make sure you dress properly for both summer and winter temperatures.
This could imply wearing both light or dark colored jersey’s as the case may be. You may wear cleats that are meant for outdoor play, never go barefoot during games (Practice), especially when it’s wet outside!
Stay Hydrated at all Times
A common soccer safety rule is to keep yourself well hydrated at all times. Water is a great way to replenish your system, and staying hydrated will allow you to stay alert during your soccer match. It’s also important to make sure that you’re properly hydrated before each game or practice session.
Drink a glass of water before going out on the field so that you can avoid cramping or heat exhaustion.
Water isn’t your only option, either. Sports drinks can also be a great way to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes during a game or practice session.
Energy drinks are another option as well. These will provide you with a boost of energy so that you can stay alert on the field or court.
Never Wear Anything that Might Get in the Way
You should never wear jewelry, a watch, or anything else that could get in your way when you’re playing soccer. The smart thing to do is wear slip-on sneakers or cleats. They offer great support and traction, and they will not slow you down or get in your way when you play.
In addition, you should never wear clothes with excess pockets or belts. You could trip on them or get them caught on something and fall. That’s a sure way to hurt yourself, so keep your pockets empty and belt buckled when you play soccer.
You should also avoid sunglasses when you play soccer. They might look cool, but they can get broken or fall off and make it more difficult to see other players and the ball. If you really want to wear sunglasses while playing, find a pair that are designed with safety in mind. They will be made of shatterproof materials and have special nose pads that keep them from falling off your face. This way, you will still be able to look good on the field without worrying about getting hurt.
Always Replace Broken Gear
It’s important to replace gear that has been damaged during a game—especially if it puts you or your teammates at risk. Keep spare gear handy, so you can be sure you can safely play.
If you don’t have access to spare gear, make sure someone in your league does and ask them to let you borrow some of their equipment until yours is fixed. If you’re playing with a team that does not have extra gear, it might be time to find a new team or join a different league.
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Watch Out for the Referee
Yes, referees are human, and they can make mistakes. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Referees don’t want to penalize you if you are not actually violating a rule, so make sure you know what constitutes a foul before you commit one! The referee might not even blow his whistle if he sees an action that may be breaking a rule; instead, he will wave his arms to signal that he might call a foul if such an action happens again.
Get Enough Sleep
One of the most important safety rules in soccer is to get enough sleep. This gives you a chance to recover from practices and games, as well as refocus your mind on studying and other academic responsibilities. As with any sport, you need to put in a lot of hard work so you can perform at a high level when it counts. After practices or games, do something relaxing that allows your body to rest and heal, such as reading a book or meditating.
Do you know how many hours of sleep you need to function at your best? For most people, it’s eight hours. However, everyone is different, so be sure to listen to your body and get enough sleep—even if that means going to bed earlier than your team mates. Skipping out on sleep can cause injuries and make it more difficult to concentrate. It also lowers your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.
Stay Fit
Although soccer is not a high-impact sport, it still requires you to be fit. This will keep you on your feet and prevent injury or fatigue that could interfere with performance. Whether you’re just starting out in soccer or have been playing for years, there are some basic fitness goals to aim for.
You should be able to run at least three miles in 20 minutes and do 10 pushups without stopping. To improve your endurance, try interval training: Run hard for one minute, then jog lightly until your heart rate drops back down; repeat five times.
It’s also important to work on your balance, so try these soccer-specific exercises: Face a wall. Stand two feet away and turn your back to it. Then take one step forward with your dominant foot, bring your other foot forward and place it beside that first one. Next, take a small hop with both feet at once and return them to their original position; repeat 10 times.
All these exercises helps you to stay fit.
READ: 61 Very important benefits of exercise
Protect Yourself From Injury
Playing soccer is a fun way to stay active and get in shape, but there are serious risks of injury that can make your next match your last. To avoid being sidelined by an injury, follow these safety rules for soccer players:
Wear appropriate footwear – If you’re playing on grass or turf, cleats with good traction are essential; if you’re playing on concrete or asphalt, sneakers with rubber soles will give you better grip than leather-soled shoes. Always wear shin guards over bare legs and wear a mouth guard when playing to protect yourself from facial injuries.
Avoid contact with other players – The action on a soccer field is fast and furious, so you’ll need to keep your cool. Whether tackling an opponent or being tackled by one, always avoid contact with other players as much as possible. A single misstep can result in serious injury.
Keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings – With all that running, it’s easy to lose track of where you are on a soccer field. Always stay alert and look up so you can avoid colliding with other players, coaches or parents who might be standing on or near the field, etc.
Wear Shin Guards
Nobody wants to get hit in the shins, so protect yourself and your opponent with shin guards. Hit someone in their unprotected shins and you may hear a crack—an injury that can sideline you or your opponent for several weeks. Even worse, you could cause a career-ending injury. That’s why soccer players wear shin guards to protect themselves from each other.
You should wear shin guards even if you’re not usually a shin striker. If you get kicked in your unprotected shins, you could sprain or break one of them—and it will hurt! To prevent that from happening, wear shin guards to ensure your shins are safe and protected at all times.
