Most parents have concerns about which sports are safe enough for their son or daughter to play and for good reason. As we are more aware now more than ever of the long-term potential effects of concussions, we want to make sure our kids are playing in a safe environment. With any physical activity, there are always risks involved.
This is why you are here you are wondering is basketball a safe sport to play? Basketball is a non-contact sport, it is safe to play but just like any sports injuries, they can happen. The reality is the benefits far outweigh the risks of the sport. It is an excellent way for kids to make friends, learn team play, and stay active.
In this article we will talk about the risks and hazards of playing basketball, coming from someone who has played for over 30+ years from a kid to a coach and still a player. We can take a look at the statistics of injuries in basketball comparing it to other sports. You will find after reading this information provided it will alleviate any concerns as a parent that playing basketball is quite safe.
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Is basketball a safe sport to play outside?
What happened? As a kid, my fondest memories were going outside to play, about 10 years ago I was blown away that our government had a commercial on our local tv channel advising kids should be going outside to play. I thought to myself where is the world heading. With kids staying inside more than ever due to playing video games or being on their tablet, it can be really hard to get them outside the house and play with their friends.
The new form of hanging out is on social media with Instagram and TikTok, kids can’t put down their phones due to the addiction to these apps waiting for the next viral post or video.
As a kid, I could remember playing basketball for hours at the courts or at a friend’s house. I would take a ball everywhere I went shooting it at street signs as if it was a hoop, dribbling while practicing all kinds of moves. It wasn’t just basketball, I played all sorts of sports. But basketball was by far my favorite game to play.
For the many hours I played basketball I never had an injury that would sideline me for a very long time or an injury that required medical attention or a doctor. Of course, I am only one person, and I encountered my fair share of bumps and bruises like any kid playing outside. But you may be surprised to know riding a bike will cause more injuries than playing a fun game of basketball with friends, and I have stats to prove it.
The great thing about the game of basketball is it’s affordable, a basketball (click the basketball image for affordable ball on Amazon), and some shoes, and your set. There are courts on every playground and most often than not a friend will have a hoop of their own which will keep kids entertained for hours. You may have to chase them down just to get them back home.
This is why I highly recommend parents to buy their kids a hoop of their own, they have an activity readily available anytime they want in their own yard for them to play. I think the investment is worth the money considering they won’t be on their phone all day, well maybe to take videos of their basketball moves which is a good thing. You also know where they are, while friends will come by and play also. There are tons of variations of games to play which is great cause it never gets dull shooting hoops or playing a game.
Ok great? But how safe is it for basketball players to play outside?
Injuries will happen there is always a risk. Every time you get in a vehicle and drive it is a risk. It does not matter if you are driving with the best driver in the world. You have other drivers to worry about also, those drivers may make mistakes on the road and can cause an accident.
A common injury that players may encounter during a basketball game is ankle sprains. This usually happens when a player jumps up for the ball for a rebound or to shoot and lands on their opponent’s foot, causing the ankle to bend unnaturally causing a sprain in the ankle. This sprain could cause a player to temporarily not walk on it for a couple of days in more severe cases weeks or even months.
This injury could also happen on an uneven surface on a driveway where the grass meets the concrete or the actual base of the portable basketball hoop. This can happen on layup and dunk attempts. These cases are rare but do happen sometimes, especially when kids get silly performing their favorite basketball players moves.
Basketball Injuries in Children
According to the consumer product Safety Commission in 2009 of 30 million children from 5 to 14-year-olds who played sports, Basketball players suffered 170,000 injuries that resulted in trips to the hospital emergency room, playing in a game, or practicing. We are talking as young as 5 to 14 years of age which means it is important to understand when children are growing along with their bones they are more susceptible to injury.
Football and biking surpassed these numbers at 200,000 injuries. Again playing any sport may result in an injury that is the risk we take. Kids playing outside or inside suffer injuries but we don’t tell them to ever stop playing. We may tell them to take a break, and sometimes they are fearful to do the activity again because they associate that activity with pain, this is where as parents we encourage them to overcome their fear and get back on that bike because they fell off.
Basketball Injuries Statistics in High School Athletes
Hazards in Basketball
Is it safe to play basketball during Covid?
This is a tough question to answer, it hasn’t even been a year yet and it seems like we are finding out more and more in regards to the virus every day based on research and studies. To sit here and say yes it safe is unrealistic. You need to follow the guidelines of your state medical personnel and what they are suggesting.
It is proven that outside activities are much safer than inside. While you can wear a mask while playing it may be difficult to breathe at the same time when running vigorously on the court especially playing a full-court game of basketball.
You do have the option to lessen the risk.
Play outside rather than inside and with a mask, if not as soon as you are done your game, put your mask on and stay 2 meters or 6 feet apart from everyone.
Bring hand sanitizer, and use it after every game.
Bring your own bottle of water.
Bring your own basketball.
If someone tries to hi-five you, fist pump instead.
You can set up games where you play zone instead of man to man where you could lessen the contact between players which I have done at open gyms that I run.
Pretend everyone has the virus then you won’t forget to do these things for your own safety and the people you live with.
There is always a possibility you may catch coronavirus so you need to take extreme precautions, to me at this time it is not worth playing and risking your health of yourself and family members of your inner circle. Again this is why I recommend getting yourself a portable basketball rim no matter the age. Get outside get active and have fun during this difficult time. Create your own memories…