It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to be a student athlete. Maintaining good scores in school and on the field or court requires a certain level of awareness of individual practices and a team’s needs.
Here are some of the best safety practices for young athletes that’ll help support their overall performance.
Encourage healthy lifestyle habits
Coaches and parents can all agree that eating well and getting adequate rest are two vital components to a young athlete’s success. Being mindful of habits is the best way to encourage healthy lifelong choices.
One of the grandest benefits of being a student athlete is the discipline and healthy habits that can form. Consider implementing things like:
- Drinking enough water throughout the day to avoid dehydration
- Getting proper sleep for six to eight hours
- Making conscious nutrition choices to support growth and development
Emphasize listening to coaching staff
Some of the best safety practices for young athletes come from simply listening to coaches. A priority for any coaching staff is the team’s overall health and well-being. By paying attention to coaches’ teachings and methods, athletes can learn proper mechanics and techniques to improve overall safety.
Remember that protective gear is a must
Protective gear is a must, whether a young athlete is in a high contact sport or an individual sport like cross country. There are various ways to keep them protected, but some of the most common things include:
- A helmet
- Mouthguards
- Padding
- Ankle braces
- Proper footwear that aligns with the respective activity
- Eye protection
When it comes to protective eyewear, you must select the right sports goggles for your young athlete. Many things go into this decision, and protecting developing eyes is critical. If your athlete wears prescription glasses during the day, you should further aid their vision by getting them prescription sports eyewear for their physical activities.
Remember that performing on and off the field or court cannot happen without proper safety measures in place. Some of the simplest things can save athletes from becoming injured severely.
