High school athletes suffer about 2 million injuries every year, resulting in 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations. The most commonly injured body parts are the knee, shoulder and hand/finger. The most common diagnoses were fracture, incomplete ligament sprain and complete ligament sprain. 7 out 10 of sever injuries were the result of player-player contact, 3 out of 10 of severe injuries occurred to the player being tackled and 1 out of 5 were to player making the tackle. Lower back or overall back pain is a common complaint in football due to overuse. Often a leading cause is overtraining syndrome. This is when a player trains beyond the ability for the body to easily recover. UW medicine has provided helpful tips to prevent injuries, they are listed below.

Perform proper warm-up and cool-down routines

Consistently incorporate strength training and stretching

Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps

Stay active during summer break to prepare for return to sports in the fall

Wear properly fitted protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, and mouth guard

Tackle with the head up and do not lead with the helmet

Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation

Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about football injuries or football injury prevention strategies