5 Tips for Preventing Hockey Injury this Season
Hockey is a great sport, both you play and to watch. But if your child is playing on a hockey team this winter you may find yourself worrying about their safety.
Hockey, like most sports, carries some inherent risk. But with slippery ice, sharp skates, and fast-paced games, it can put the risk front-and-center in the find of a protective parent. Hockey injuries, though often minor, can sometime result is tragedy. That’s why it’s important to keep yourself and your kids safe this season.
Common Hockey Injuries
Due to the nature of the sport there are several kinds of injuries that are more common for players who do get injured.
There are, of course, certain things that increase the likelihood of a hockey injury. What position someone plays, protective equipment (or lack thereof), bad attitudes and history of injury can all play in to how likely a child may be to being injured on the ice. For example, if a player has previously had an ankle or wrist injury or a concussion, it’s possible that they’ll be more likely to get injury again on the ice.
While the vast majority of hockey injuries are often minor in nature (i.e. bruising, cuts, muscle strain, etc.), there is always the potential for more serious injuries to occur.
Ways to prevent injury
There are several ways that you can help prevent hockey injuries.
- One of the best things you can do, either for yourself or your child, is to get a preseason screening examination by a trainer or physical. This can help diagnose any preexisting injuries and help point out weaknesses or medical history that could increase the likelihood for severe injury during game season. For example, if you’ve broken an ankle several times and have sustained nerve damage or have scar tissue in that leg, it may be easier for your to re-injury yourself again. Knowing what possible injuries you could experience can help you take preventative measures to avoid any injury.
- Train. As hockey season approaches, it’s always a good idea to start sports-specific training and conditioning beforehand to allow your body to work up to being game (ice) ready.
- While you’re getting your body in shape for the season ahead, make sure to check on your equipment as well. Protective equipment should fit well and have no damage. For hockey specifically, this meaning checking helmets and padding for damage and making sure skates are sharp and undamaged. While playing, make sure to use all prescribed protective equipment.These are standard protective equipment items:
- Helmet
- Mouth guard (either custom-made or “boil and bite” off the shelf)
- Face shield
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Gloves
- Pants (girdle and shell)
- Cup/supporter (for men)
- Shin guards
All of these should be worn properly, with the helmet securely fastened and all other protective equipment in place.
4. Follow the rules. One of the easiest ways to avoid injury is to play in a way that keeps both you and other participants safe. Look out for your fellow players, even if they’re on the opposite team. Don’t play rough. List to calls that the refs give out. In all things, make sure to respect other players and be a true sportsman.
5. If you are injured, it’s important to take the time you need to heal successfully. Whether it’s a bone break, a concussion, or some other kind of injury, make sure to follow treatment protocol, and get evaluated by a physician before returning to normal play.
If you or a loved one are injured in a hockey game and believe you can prove liability, contact our team at Evergreen Personal Injury Council. We’ll work to get you the compensation you need.