http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0923story1_news.shtml "Between 146,000 and 160,000 soccer-related injuries occur each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Is the game putting children at risk? ..."
""Between 146,000 and 160,000 soccer-related injuries occur each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Is the game putting children at risk? ..." NO How many youth players play soccer the number in the article I am positive is too low. Total number is proably more then 5 million or more. Do the math, also how many of those injuries are minor sprains, muscle pulls from lack of proper conditioning. Richie
Queensbury Rules used in American Officiating are what put children at risk. Zero Tolerance and just say no to hacking and fouls...... The solution is in every refs pocket, and should be used much more frequently.
Can't blame it all on refs. Parents and coaches want "competitive games" more than a good training exercise, by and large.
It's a blend of all kinds of things. Inexperienced, easily intimidated refs who don't blow the whistle often enough. As bigred mentions, the "who won?" mentality in our culture, that demands results even from young kids. And now my rant: coaches training kids to play too physically. We played a team yesterday who did not have the skill nor the athleticism to play us straight up (not just us, but most of the teams in our league). For any 50/50 ball, they went to the body first. Arms high, grabbing shoulders, pulling jerseys, elbows in the ribs. Whatever it took. The coach was blatantly instructing kids to "take him out" or "ride him out." These are 8 and 9 year old kids. Some of you guys know that my wife videos every game, so these are not just my observations during game play. I've seen it in slow mo. That's absolute crap. There is a natural physicality to the game, and that's fine. We shouldn't shy away from that. But kids shouldn't be put in danger of injury just because other kids aren't as fast or as skilled. And wait until those kids are 13 or 14, and have a little weight to throw around... Okay, I'll climb down off my soap box now.