The CDC, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have done multiple studies which have shown that anywhere ranging between 1.6 million to 3.6 million concussions happen each year. It is stated that “5-10% of athletes will experience a concussion in any given sport season” (Sport Concussion Institute n.d.). Concussions are caused by a hard hit or blow to the head, face, or neck which causes ones brain to move and forcefully knock against the inside walls of ones skull. In result of this, one could feel a variety number of symptoms. Symptoms of a concussion can include the following: “seeing stars” or blurred vision, nausea or vomiting, and confusion, blacking out, irritability, slow or delayed responsiveness, slurred speech, …show more content…
One of those rules are that if a player obtains a head injury while playing on the field they must come off to have a “sideline assessment.” A sideline assessment is essentially a series of tests, mental and physical, that the player must pass in order to return to the field (Read Theory, 2012). In 2010 a new rule was established that if a football player’s helmet was pulled off, the whistle is blown and the ball is automatically dead. Also, it is important that the player is wearing the proper size helmet, not too tight or not too loose, and that the helmet is worn correctly. It is hoped for that a newer helmet design will be created in order to prevent further more drastic inclines of concussion rates. In the game of soccer, after an injury has occurred or just for the prevention of an injury some players wear headgear/ headband. It is said that the headgear/ headband is used to minimize the force of the ball while the player is heading the ball (S. Broglio, Ju, M. Broglio, & …show more content…
One should use their arms and/or shoulders to lead a tackle instead of a direct a hit with one’s head. According to Read Theory, “Youth, high school, and college leagues should also adopt safety rules even more stringent that the NFL’s. Furthermore, at an early age, athletes should be educated about the serious dangers of head injuries” (Read Theory, 2012). For soccer players, coaches teaching and players actually learning the proper technique for heading the ball is a precautionary measure that all players need and should take. The proper technique to head a soccer ball is by using ones forehead. Peter Granders calls the forehead the “sweet spot.” Due to the fact that forehead is the thickest part of one’s skull, it not only adds protection to ones brain but it is also beneficial to the player themselves because it gives the player the advantage of having greater accuracy and stronger power behind the ball (Granders,