High-profile athletes drawing attention to concussions have changed how contact sports are coached. On Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland announced he was retiring at the age of 24 over worries about head injuries.
As parents watched boys and girls soccer at Teamworks in Acton, young players were encouraged to keep their heads in the game but not use it to hit the ball.
“I was just talking with some of the moms and we were saying soccer is really dangerous and we’re worried as they grow up and get more aggressive,” said parent Jenny Canton. “I think it’s education early on and making kids understand that their brains don’t grow back.”
Ryan Shoup coaches his son’s and daughter’s soccer travel teams in Chelmsford. “We avoid the heading maneuvers specifically,” said Shoup. He said gone are the days when players used to do heading drills during practice.
Chris Borland (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Players are taught the signs of a concussion, feeling dizzy and trouble seeing, and to tell an adult.
Parents are also educated on the dangers of head trauma. Anna Hughes said her daughter’s league with Concord-Carlisle offers training for parents and online information. “Parents are looking out for their own children and other children,” said Hughes
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