ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW — Soccer is attracting more and more Western New York kids but also has health professionals more and more concerned about head injuries.
There is a WNY coach who is doing his part and working to ensure kids learn the safest ways to play from the beginning.
I met Coach Rick Szabala, who is a physical therapist for Catholic Health at AthletiCare, and some of his players on Thursday afternoon.
This trio is destined for greatness but to ensure that, Coach Szabala in #OrchardPark is teaching them proper techniques and how to avoid injury. This comes as more people take up the sport of soccer beyond the middle school and high school levels. 🥅 ⚽️🏃 @wkbw @CHSBuffalo pic.twitter.com/KiNkI06fKA
— Pheben Kassahun WKBW (@PhebenKassahun) August 8, 2024
"Rather than doing a hamstring stretch on the floor, where somebody may sit and reach for their toes. We may have them do what we call a monster kick. That's stretching their hamstring but in the essence of a kicking motion, we're going to do a lot in soccer," Szabala said.
"Usually between the ages of 12 and 16, that's when their bodies start to go through changes. Unfortunately, our bones grow faster than our muscles and soft tissue. So, because of that, it makes our soft tissue more prone to some of the overuse type injuries that are out there," Coach Rick said.
Szabala also coaches soccer for the Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club. Nathan, Matt and Ryan play for the club.
"I like playing soccer because it keeps me in good shape for other sports I might venture into and just to have fun," Matt said.
While the sport is played mostly with feet, head injuries are not uncommon.
The header was outlawed in 2016 for players 11 and younger to reduce injuries and because of its connection to concussions.
"They found that they do not have good muscle control of their neck, which if you don't have good muscle control on your neck, it's going to increase the chance for head injury and more damage to the brain," Coach Rick said.
The coach added that the key to minimizing a head injury, especially when you're heading a ball, is to bend your knees to load your muscles up, keep your eye on the ball, and try to make contact with your forehead which is considered the proper part of the head and try keeping your mouth open.
"Closing your mouth actually puts increased force in there so they recommend keeping the mouth open when you're attacking the ball...That open mouth acts as a shock absorption to the head area and reduces the amount of stress through the head area," Coach Rick said.
These athletes credit Coach Rick for being able to teach them the proper techniques from pre-game warm-ups to in-game action.
"I've noticed a lot of differences," said Nathan. "I feel like my body has been a lot healthier."
"I've never had a major injury because I feel like it's because of Coach Richard's implements," Matt added.
