How to Avoid Common Cheerleading Injuries
Cheerleading has become a national phenomenon. Because of the rising, sometimes devastating, amount of accidents, certain precautions must be taken in order to prevent and avoid common injuries associated with cheerleading.
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Instructions
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Avoid Common Cheerleading Injuries
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Parent awareness is a great deterrent to common cheerleading injuries. Parents who are aware of potential cheerleading injuries can communicate these concerns to their children. Active parents lend additional support to a child who might not otherwise practice safety precautions.
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Qualified coaches help avoid common cheerleading injuries. Educated coaches educate participants in proper cheerleading techniques and safety. Unqualified coaches, who are really just English teachers, should not be coaching cheerleading.
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Cheerleaders who are educated in proper safety precautions will go along way in avoiding cheerleading injuries. Having the cheer team watch videos of bad accidents and requiring the passing of exams on cheerleading safety also lends to injury prevention.
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Conducting cheerleading practice on rubber mats or other soft surfaces, instead of asphalt or concrete, can prevent serious injuries. Bones have been broken hitting hard surfaces.
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Wearing a cushioned safety vest is a great idea. These vests provide extra protection against blunt force trauma should a cheerleader fall flat on her stomach. Certain cheerleading moves, such as a double down, require girls to flip in the air. It is not uncommon for a flip to be over or under shot, landing the girl on her front side instead of on her feet.
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Placing more spotters around those cheerleaders who fly would add more protection in case a jump or toss ends badly. If a cheerleader falls into a spotter who isn't prepared and she too falls, a second spotter could catch them both. Any additional spotters are extra added support and assurance. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
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Tips & Warnings
Cheerleaders need to maintain proper energy by eating nutritious meals and drinking plenty of water. Serious accidents can occur due to physical stress associated with malnutrition.
Remember there is more to life than cheerleading. Instead of focusing only on cheerleading, balance your life with a healthy dose of friends, family and other interests. Cheerleading requires a lot of time and energy, but with proper planning, and the right attitude, you can enjoy, not only cheerleading, but a well rounded and full life.
Never attempt a cheerleading stunt without plenty of spotters and a trained coach. Never attempt a stunt unless you are fully sure of yourself. Uncertainty can lead to serious injury.
Always make sure your spotters are paying attention. Cheerleaders have been dropped due to faulty spotters. Just because you feel ready doesn't mean the rest of your team is. Don't be in a hurry. It can cost you your life.
