7 ways to reduce injury risk in late-season practices

By Will Heckman-Mark | Posted 10/17/2014

By this point in the season, most players are dealing with some minor aches and pains. The wear and tear of any athletic season results in bumps and bruises, even in the most resilient athletes.

Going into the final weeks of the football schedule, it is the coaches’ responsibility to monitor their players and keep them fresh. One way to do this is by easing the workload at practice.

Andy Ryland, USA Football’s senior manager of education and training, and Dave Weikel, St. Vincent Sports Performance supervisor and U.S. National Teams head athletic trainer, have seven suggestions to lessen some of the stress caused by nagging injuries and reduce the risk of a serious injury occurring at practice late in the season.

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Shorten the total length of the practice

  • “By shortening practice, you’re saving their legs and keeping the stress off them. Now that players are familiar with drills, there should be less prep time needed to set them up. Limiting time on the field can enhance their focus and keep them mentally fresh and excited to play as well.” – Andy Ryland

Keep open communication with players

  • “How to cut back at practice is totally athlete-dependent. You need to check with all the players and see how they are responding physically. The more aware of your athletes you are and their individual needs, the better you can protect them.” – Dave Weikel
  • “Knowing what players’ distractions are such as tests in school or upcoming vacations can be a big help from a mental standpoint.” – Andy Ryland

Find ways to limit the amount of contact and focus on technique

  • “If you are doing a tackle or goal line drill, do three to four reps instead of five or six. Don’t eliminate live scrimmage play but cut down the number of those plays. Use shields and bags as much as possible to lower the number of contact situations. – Andy Ryland

Make sure players are taking care of themselves

  • “It’s a long season. You have to keep on your athletes. Make sure they are following through with their stretches and training. It’s important to keep icing where needed, even in the cold weather.” – Dave Weikel

Don’t try to add anything unfamiliar to the playbook

  • “At this point, the players should know the playbook and be familiar with the practice drills. You aren’t going to introduce a new championship-winning play now. Winning in the playoffs isn’t going to be determined by who practiced longer or harder that week. It’s going to be about fundamentals and who can execute better.” Andy Ryland

Give opportunities to younger players

  • “Especially at positions like running back and linebacker, those guys who tend to take more hits, let the younger guys take some of the reps. They’ll benefit from the experience, and your starters won’t have to face as much intensity or get hit as often.” – Dave Weikel

Tell players not to over-exert in training for other sports

  • “If you are starting training for a winter sport such as basketball, wrestling or track and field, maybe don’t participate in all of the drills. A shootaround or something is one thing, but don’t leave football practice and then run a whole bunch of sprints somewhere else.” – Dave Weikel

 “Coaches tend to cut back this time of year, and I would suggest that route. You don’t need to remove the physicality completely, but you definitely don’t need to hit as often or with as much intensity,” Weikel said.

“You’re almost at the end of the season. The hard work is done. Now you’re just sharpening the sword,” Ryland said.

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