Football leads to nearly every imaginable type of injury. Foot and ankle injuries, however, probably aren’t the first ones that come to mind. But make no mistake about it, your son’s feet and ankles are at risk. Just like many other football injuries, they can spell an early end to their career or season.
Here’s how to help your son keep his feet and ankles safe during this upcoming season:
What to Look for in Ankle Braces
Your son will be wise to wear an ankle brace, even if they don’t necessarily have any ankle problems. With ankle braces, look for ones that work on both the left and right ankle interchangeably. Laced-up ankle braces also offer more support than most others. This also makes the ankle support more comfortable. Finally, you’ll want to look for lightweight ankle braces that also allow for extensive ventilation.
Have Regular Checkups If You Already Have Foot or Ankle Problems
A thorough examination before, during, and after the football season helps your son spot any problems and address them before they become serious injuries. Obviously, you can’t prevent all major injuries. But a consultation with a podiatrist could be just what your son needs to develop strategies for successfully preventing injuries during practice and games.
Make Sure Your Son Works on Having “Quick Feet”
Your son’s coach will likely have them do a number of agility drills that help them develop quick feet. But, they can also supplement that with agility ladders and balance boards, which help reduce their chance of ankle injuries even further.
Wear the Right Cleats
At this point, initial research suggests your son should wear more flexible cleats. Why? Their ankle can respond more naturally to absorb the blow when tackled. This additional flexibility helps reduce their chance of experience a high ankle sprain or ligament damage, which causes more long-term harm than lower ankle injuries. When you go to purchase cleats, rotate your ankles around to see how they perform.
Follow those tips, and you help your son significantly reduce their chances of experiencing a foot or ankle injury this football season.