Put Safety First: Hackley’s Football Dilemma
The trainer’s room is packed. Ice packs, braces, crutches, and more fly around the room. The Hornets are coming off a great season with impressive victories and milestones. Behind the endzone sits an ambulance waiting in cause of use. But, what if we could prevent injuries before even hitting the field.
During the off season, changes need to be made. New technology is being developed and perfected everyday for safer helmets and pads. Hackley’s Middle School transitioned to Flag Football last school year after low interest in football and many parents scared to put their kids on the field. Many were outraged but others rallied behind the decision. While football enthusiasts and former players want the players to “be tough”. It is in Hackley’s best interest to protect their players by putting in added safety measures.
In Middle School, all practices and games are flag. While this prevents many contact related injuries, it also prevents these players from learning proper tackling for high school and beyond. If padded practices were carried out to demonstrate and show proper technique, the risk of injury across the Ivy League Prep Division would go down dramatically. As well as padded practices, at the high school and middle school level low stress and more rest days should be implemented to reduce injury and strain on the mental and physical state of the athletes.
With all of these factors combined, the games would stay the same but keep our players safe and healthy. With the large amount of multiple sport athletes this would not only benefit football but other Hackley sports as well.
