Basketball Safety for Tweens

Basketball Safety for Tweens<br /><br />Whether your child is into soccer, football or basketball, the right safety gear and precautions can make the difference between a great time and a trip to the emergency room. Sometimes tweens think they are invincible and will not believe they can get hurt, but as a parent, you know better. The next time your tween wants to head out to the court to shoot a few hoops, keep these following basketball safety tips in mind.<br /><br />Supervise at All TimesOf course, the first safety rule in any sport when it comes to your tween is to make sure the kids are supervised at all times. Kids between the ages of 9 12 may believe they do not need supervision, but they do. An adult or a responsible older sibling or sitter needs to keep a close eye on the game at all times.<br /><br />Check the Court for SafetySafety should always be first, even if you are just shooting a few hoops at the local playground court. You need to make sure that the area is safe for your child. Look for signs of broken glass on the court or broken hoops and goals. Also look for large rocks or holes in the playing area that could cause injury such as sprains, breaks or cuts.<br /><br />Wear the Right ShoesWhen your tween plays basketball, make sure that the right kind of shoes are worn. You dont have to buy pricey basketball shoes to do this, but a good pair of shoes that cover the toes is ideal. Heels, flip flips, and open toe shoes should always be a no no when playing any type of sport. In addition, sprains are quite common during a game of basketball, so look for a pair of shoes that give adequate support to the ankle.<br /><br />Watch Out for Eye InjuriesEye injuries are also very common in basketball. These types of injuries are often caused by accidental finger pokes or elbow jabs. If your child wears glasses, consider getting protective eye gear and make sure the kids know not to get too carried away with the elbow jabs.<br /><br />Just Say NoSay no to jewelry and yes to mouth guards. Jewelry, especially large earrings and necklaces, should never be worn while playing any sports. This could cause injury if the jewelry gets caught. If your child wears braces, then a mouth guard should be required. Mouth guards are excellent because they are designed to absorb the shock from flying elbows or hands.<br /><br />Your tween needs to make sure he understands these safety tips. When your tween is safe, then he will have a great time with friends or while participating on a sports league.