|
|
Being Safe While Playing Basketball
Like any sport that calls for fast moves, there is always a risk of injury to basketball players. While it is not entirely a contact sport in every sense, if you play basketball or have seen a game, then you know that there is some level of physical contact involved in this sport although not all of it is always within the rules of the game.
One of the ways to reduce injuries in basketball is to make sure the court, whether an indoor sports arena or an outside court, is safe for playing. With an indoor court, the floor should be inspected before a game for any slip hazards like spilled drinks or sweat that need to be cleaned up first. If it's an outside game, you should also make it a point to check whether the court's surface has no potholes, rubbish or anything that players could trip over.
For both indoor and outdoor basketball courts, the boundary lines and baskets should be located a safe distance away from fences and walls, including the bleachers and water fountains because these structures and objects would create serious injury in any player should he unfortunately collides into these things at high speed. In addition, make sure the posts supporting the baskets as well as the walls at the back of them have good padding.
Wearing protective gear is also crucial to a player's safety while playing ball. Since there is a lot of fast running, high jumping and quick turns and twists involve in this sport, combined with the slick and smooth surfaces of indoor basketball courts, all kinds of damages to the foot or leg can occur.
Take for example, Houston Rockets' Yao Ming who has had repeated fractures on his left foot. Ming is out for the rest of the season in order to recover and as noted by many sports analysts and NBA fan blogs like Expert Fantasy, Sherman Mazur, JBomb and Love & Basketball, Ming's absence is a big loss to the team. Indeed, the risks of foot injuries also pose a threat to the success of the team if a valuable player becomes injured. Therefore, to help prevent such injuries wearing proper footwear is crucial.
With all the action in basketball, there are have been unfortunate occasions when a player's teeth get's knocked off. The best way to prevent this accident is to wear a mouth guard. Kneepads and elbow pads are also some of the must-haves when it comes to safety because these gears will protect the player from bruises and painful floor burns, which commonly occur during games played indoors.
Additionally, always remember to remove jewelry such as rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces and the likes prior to playing basketball. If you wear glasses, it would be best to switch to contact lenses. If for some reason, you cannot wear contact lenses and you must have your glasses on, then make sure to fix them securely to your head and check that glass lenses are shatterproof. Being aware of your fellow players as they move around you is another simple way to avoid injury as well as performing 15-minute warm ups every game.
Although it can be said that accidents and resulting injuries are just part of the game, there is no reason to be complacent about safety. Taking the necessary precautions whenever possible will greatly reduce risks to injury.
|
 |
Please Rate: |
|
Rating: |
 Processing ... |
(Average: Not rated) |
| Views: | 27 | |
|
| More Articles from Basketball | | |
| Top Articles in Basketball | | |
|
