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No one enjoys sitting on the bench because of an injury - especially when it was preventable, as is the case with the majority of soccer injuries.
ACL tears are one of the most common injuries, and are between 3-6 times more likely among the female population. Why? Generally, studies point to hormonal, structural, biochemical, and neuromuscular differences in the female population to explain this phenomenon (source).
However, with proper training, instruction and technique, injury rates plummet. The following are key components of a knee-injury risk-reduction training program:
1. Warm up (jogging, skipping, backward running, carioca)
2. Stretching (calf, hamstring, quadriceps, inner thigh, hip flexor)
3. Strengthening (lunges, squats, hamstring-strengthening exercises, toe raises)
4. Plyometrics (variety of hopping, jumping and bounding drills)
5. Agility exercises (shuttle and diagonal running)
Here are some interesting info graphics on sports injuries:
here and here
Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) publishes some excellent resources on physical literacy movement preparation that will be of interest to many coaches and parents.
Physical Literacy Movement Preparation Guide
Physical Literacy Movement Preparation (7-8)
Physical Literacy Movement Preparation (9-10)
Physical Literacy Movement Preparation (11+)
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