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Although we have taken numerous measures to make our
program as safe as possible, football is a rough and tumble sport. Even with
modern protective equipment, bumps and bruises will occur. Serious injuries are
rare. However, the risk of injury must be placed in perspective with other youth
activities.
From the National Safe Kids Campaign, here are some
interesting statistics from hospital emergency rooms in the United States in
1977 (children 14 and under):
Bicycling: more that 312,000 treated for injuries;
more than 200 children died;
Basketball: nearly 200,000 treated for injuries; no
deaths reported in this age group;
Baseball: nearly 95,000 treated for injuries;
(baseball has the highest fatality rate among all sports in this age group
averaging 3 to 4 deaths each year);
Playgrounds: nearly 211,000 treated for injuries;
(each year approximately 20 children, 14 and under, die from playground
injuries);
Football: more than 150,000 treated for injuries; no
deaths reported in this age group;
Here is what the American Academy of Orthopedic
Surgeons has to say about organized sports, generally:
"Grade school students are less likely to suffer
from severe injury because they are smaller and slower than older athletes; when
they collide or fall, the forces on their musculoskeletal system are usually not
high enough to cause injury". also "Sports injuries occur more frequently in
physical education classes and free-play sports than in organized team sports.
Minimal safety precautions and supervision can prevent many injuries".
According to
the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, "protective equipment is one of the
most important factors in minimizing the risk of injury in football. Play it
safe and wear the equipment required by most youth football leagues".
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Helmet with face mask and chin strap with hard plastic chin guard. *
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Mouth guards with keeper strap.
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Shoulder pads. *
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Practice & Game Pants with hip, tail, thigh and knee pads. *
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Athletic cup supporter.
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Football cleats with approved socks.
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Football jersey (game jersey is provided by the Rebels, but you may use
your own for practice - check with your coach).
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Water bottle: water is very important, especially in hot weather.
- * this equipment is issued and is
to be returned at the end of the season in order to get
- your equipment
deposit back.
According to
the National Safe Kids Campaign, 60% of sports related injuries occur during
practice rather than games. Most football injuries occur when players use
improper technique for tackling or blocking. Our coaches are trained to coach
proper techniques and to correct players when they observe improper technique
being used. Proper warm-up and stretching drills are performed before any
contact drills take place. For first time players, techniques involving contact
are initially taught using repetitive "walk-through" drills with emphasis on
correct form for safely. Scrimmages are controlled with "quick whistles" to
minimize injury from "piling-on" or unnecessary "stand-up contact".
The frequency of practices will vary. During the first
month, they will have practice sessions every day from 5-7 pm. After
scheduled games begin, practices are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights
from 4:30-6:30 pm. (The number of practices may seem excessive, but
remember, football has the shortest season of any of the organized sports
and the kids have much to learn).
Practices may
occasionally be missed. Rebel Football is not the NFL. However, a team is
dependent on the contribution of each player. For example, how can the coach
introduce a new series of plays and expect the plays to work if the whole team
has not learned them? A casual attitude toward practice attendance penalizes the
whole team. If a player must miss a practice the parent should notify one of the
team’s coaches before each practice to be missed
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