Head Injuries in Youth Tackle Versus Flag Football 

Do you have a child or teenager who currently plays football in Rancho Bernardo, or has been asking to join a football team or league? It is important to understand the risks of concussions and other head injuries in youth football, including both flag football and tackle football. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in the journal Sports Health assessed traumatic brain injury (TBI) rates among youth football players, comparing those in flag football with those playing tackle football. The results were stark, and the study underscored that tackle football is significantly more likely to lead to a child’s or teenager’s head injury than flag football.

Our Rancho Bernardo brain injury lawyers can tell you more about the study, and we can speak with you today if your child suffered a brain injury while playing youth sports. You may be able to file a claim and hold your child’s school, coach, or league responsible, depending on the circumstances.

Data Reveals Serious Brain Injury Risks in Youth Tackle Football

The recent CDC study examined youth football players between the ages of 6 and 14, and determined that those youth athletes sustain “15 times more head impacts than flag football athletes during a practice or game.” In addition, the study revealed that youth tackle football players experience “23 times more high-magnitude head impacts (hard head impacts) than flag football athletes during a game or practice.” Harder head impacts are more likely to increase the risk of a youth athlete suffering a concussion as well as moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries.

The median number of head hits during a season for youth flag football players, according to the study, was just 8. Yet the median number of head hits during a season for youth tackle football players was 378.

Games are More Dangerous Than Practices

The data above underscores just how dangerous tackle football can be, especially for youth athletes. The researchers emphasize how critical it is for youth football organizations to take more precautions to prevent head injuries during play.

More data suggests that an initial focus on games — rather than practices — might be smart. According to another CDC study, published in the journal The American Journal of Sports Medicine, youth football head injuries happen at an average of almost double the rate in games compared with practices.

Contact a Rancho Bernardo Personal Injury Attorney for Assistance with Your Brain Injury Claim

Brain injuries are much too common in football, and research emphasizes that these injuries can occur in football play at any age. When children and teenagers sustain brain injuries while playing tackle football — while their brains are often still developing — the consequences may be more severe. If your child’s brain injury resulted from a coach, team physician, or other party failing to follow concussion protocols or failing to require safety equipment during practices or games, it may be possible to file a lawsuit. One of the experienced Rancho Bernardo brain injury lawyers at our firm can discuss the details with you today. Call Nursing Home Law Group for more information.