Soccer Safety
 

June 2002 — As the world turns its attention to 2002 World Cup soccer events, the American Academy of Pediatrics takes this opportunity to spotlight its injury prevention recommendations for youth soccer. Approximately 3 million young soccer players in the United States are registered with high school and youth soccer associations.

Injury prevention recommendations include:

  • Goalposts should be secured in a manner consistent with guidelines developed by the manufacturers and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, because soccer-related fatalities have been strongly linked with head injury from falling soccer goalposts.

     

  • Participants in youth soccer should minimize heading the ball until more is known about the risks for brain injury and permanent cognitive impairment in this age group. Protective eyewear and mouth guards may help reduce the number of some nonfatal head and facial injuries.

     

  • Violent behavior and aggressive infractions of the rules that tend to decrease broad participation in youth sports should be strongly discouraged.

The recommendations in this statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.