ACL injury trends and creating injury-prevention programs.

I have researched this topic on my own quite a bit. As Mandelbaum points out there is no justification for ignorance on this issue these days. Data also indicate that starting these program early, before players are big and fast enough to really do themselves any harm, can be extremely important for prevention. And remember a nontrivial proportion of ACL injuries in girls/young women are non-contact; the player stops suddenly or jumps and lands incorrectly or tries a quick change of direction and then is in a heap on the ground.

There is also no justification for club coaches, even if they have players do something like PEP or FIFA, to let them do these exercises without constantly monitoring form. The exercises will not help if they are done incorrectly. For those of you that have not done this, take your player for private speed and strength training with someone really reputable, someone that will have them warm up with one of these programs. Watch what they do with them. Pay attention to how the trainer adjusts your player's form to ensure optimal benefit. The one our players sees actually videotapes them and then provides immediate feedback. Kind of scary to see their knees buckle, even ever so slightly, when they land from jumping to the ground from a platform under controlled conditions. Now that you are somewhat educated, go watch what the typical club coach does while the girls are doing these same exercises. Talking on phone (no doubt recruiting a player to take your daughter's place! or working out a deal to move to another club!! or maybe even negotiating yet another merger!!!), chatting with another coach who is also paying no attention to her/his players, setting up cones (at least this is training-related), enjoying a 5 buck coffee drink? These are variations on "I can't be bothered" by the coach. These injuries are obviously extremely serious. We pay decent money for the coaches to properly train our players. They should be doing their jobs. But, alas, the overwhelming majority do not do their jobs, so our players spend time learning the proper form and strengthening the proper soft tissues. It is not cheap, but I figure it is a decent insurance policy. And being properly strengthened and "athleticized" will help improve them for more than just soccer.

I found this popular book on the subject particularly heart-wrenching. It is a bit preachy but still a worthwhile read I thought:

www.michaelsokolove.com/warrior_girls.htm

Good point zizou... My sons team goes to a private PT every other week. He noticed a few kids that knees went in on a few drills. They repeated the drills and tweaked form until they got the right way. After the session, he showed us a few drills to do at home and what to watch out for.

I agree that most coaches DO NOT care or even know the signs. Take your child to a professional on your own. It will be worth every penny spent in the long run. 

Cheers,
J4K

Such a timely thread....thanks. I am looking for recommendations of a strength and conditioning trainer, such like one described by zizou above:

"For those of you that have not done this, take your player for private speed and strength training with someone really reputable, someone that will have them warm up with one of these programs. Watch what they do with them. Pay attention to how the trainer adjusts your player's form to ensure optimal benefit. The one our players sees actually videotapes them and then provides immediate feedback. Kind of scary to see their knees buckle, even ever so slightly, when they land from jumping to the ground from a platform under controlled conditions.

Thanks!

If you are near Suwanee, I would recommend the group over at Benefit Personal Training... Website is being updated but here's the FB page www.facebook.com/benefitpersonalfitness


Small and private!

Thanks a lot.