Is It Easy to Get Injured in Flag Football
What is Flag Football?
The quick answer is flag football is best described as a non-contact version of American football. Flag football has multiple different formats (4 on 4, 5 on 5, 7 on 7, etc.) and variations (men's only division, women's only division, and co-ed divisions). Still, mostly flag football carries the same principles as American football.
The biggest difference is that instead of tackling the ball carrier, flag football tackles are made by pulling off flags that players wear on their hips. The game of flag football allows athletes of all levels of experience and genders to play as it offers multiple formats and divisions that best suit your playing ability or style.
The game of flag football is becoming widely popular because it is a safer alternative than American football. It offers non-contact, and the rate of significant injuries is lower than that of American football.
What Injuries Occur in Flag Football?
The quick answer, while the rate of injuries is lower in flag football than in American football, injuries do still occur despite the sport being non-contact. Common injuries in flag football are discussed below:
- Ankle Injuries- ankle sprain is the most common injury. Ankle sprains occur by rolling the ankle over the outside of the foot. Mechanism of injury could be planting the foot for a change of direction while running, jumping and landing on foot, stepping on another player's foot.
- Knee Injuries- ACL or meniscus tear. ACL and meniscus tears are common in American football due to the high intensity and contact of the sport; however, they are just as common in flag football and can still occur in a non-contact sport. Mechanism of injury could be a forceful twist of the knee, hyperextension, colliding with another player on the field as you attempt to pull a flag
- Concussion- this is not as commonly seen in flag football but can still occur If two players collide heads while attempting to pull a flag on an opposing player. Flag football does not offer any head protection while playing (helmets), so these injuries can still occur if players are not careful.
Is it Safe to Play Flag Football with COVID-19 Still Present?
The quick answer, while wearing a mask during play is an option. Unfortunately, you can not practice social distancing with flag football, so you should use caution if you are looking to play. You should not play if you are not feeling well or have a high fever. You should also practice good hygiene such as sanitizing or washing your hands frequently.
How Can I Get Back in Shape Before the Season?
The quick answer, offseason preparation is vital before returning to any sport. Offseason training components should focus on mobility, strength, explosiveness, and conditioning. These four components will better prepare the player for the upcoming season and help reduce injury.
- Mobility- mobilize your joints, warm up the muscles, increase your range of motion
- Strength- build muscle and joint stability
- Explosiveness- the focus on improving quick, explosive, and powerful movements
- Conditioning- improving your workload capacity and increasing cardiovascular endurance
Sports Medicine Specialists in Jacksonville
JOI has a dedicated team of physicians that are dedicated to your orthopedic treatment. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above and would like to see a physician regarding this, JOI offers 5 MD locations, and they are located throughout the northeast Florida area. Our physician locations are; Baptist South, Baptist Beaches, Baptist Clay, Nassau, and San Marco
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JOI Rehab also offers physical therapy in numerous areas in northeast Florida if your referring MD feels physical therapy would assist you in relieving these symptoms or you are in the need of a sports injury specialist call 904-JOI-2000, schedule online or click below.
Source: https://www.joionline.net/trending/content/what-flag-football
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