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Football English Blog: Injuries

Football English Blog: Injuries

Welcome to Lesson 2 in Activity Week - Health & Fitness.

In all of our Football English blogs, we look at a topical item of football news and ask you to do three things: 

  1. Read the article and look at the words in red. Think about what these words mean.
  2. Do the quiz at the end of the article. This quiz checks your understanding of the football English in the article.
  3. Answer the questions and give your opinion in the comments section.

This is our latest Football English Blog and this week we're talking about injuries and if tackling should be banned

Can a football injury end a player's career?

The sad answer to this question is yes. In February 2018, the ex-Hull City and Tottenham midfielder, Ryan Mason, announced his retirement from football at the age of just 26. Mason hasn't played football since suffering a fractured skull while playing for Hull against Chelsea in January 2017. The incident occurred during an accidental clash of heads between Mason and Chelsea's Gary Cahill while they were challenging for a corner. It's a sad reminder that tackles can end a player's footballing career. These types of injuries are, thankfully, rare and medical improvements on and off the pitch have drastically improved a player's chances of recovering from a serious injury. Only a few years ago, it would take a player a season to recover from a broken leg, nowadays a player might be back on the pitch a few months later. The most dreaded of football injuries is a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This injury used to end player's careers but now a player can be back on the pitch in just six months. 

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere has suffered from lots of injuries in his career.

What are the most common football injuries? 

Fortunately, we don't see many broken legs or ACL injuries on the pitch and when they do occur they no longer end a player's career. However, that doesn't mean injuries on the pitch are in decline. The most common injury in football is an injury to the hamstring and it has been said that these types of injury are increasing. The hamstring is not one muscle but a group of muscles that are behind your thigh (between your knee and your hip). A hamstring injury usually happens when a player sprints and the muscle stretches too far. This is called a pulled hamstring. When it happens on the pitch you might hear someone say 'his hamstring's gone' or 'he's done his hamstring' because it's usually obvious from the way the player stops what has happened. Most football injuries, unsurprisingly, involve the legs and feet, some of them include: sprained ankles (injuring the joint between your leg and foot), knee ligament injuries (ligaments are the soft tissue that connects bones to other bones), thigh strains (a strain is an injury cause by using a muscle too much or moving it in an unusual way), metatarsal fractures (breaking a bone in your foot), groin strains (your groin is where your legs join together) or calf muscle tears (your calf is the muscle at the back of your leg; between your ankle and your knee). 

Muscle injuries are the most common type of injury on the football pitch.

Should tackling be banned?

The risk of injury in football is fairly high. You have to run fast, change direction quickly and avoid contact with other players. Many injuries, especially muscle injuries, happen with no contact from another player. However, many injuries, especially connected to injuries below the knee, occur because of a badly-timed tackle. Two-footed tackles have been banned and result in a red card, tackles from behind have also been outlawed and are usually given a yellow card. A defender also has to be very careful with a slide tackle as they are often seen as too aggressive by referees as the defender is not in control of the tackle. On average, there are probably fewer tackles in a game of football than ten years ago. Is this a good thing? 

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Comment

What do you think?

Are there too many dangerous tackles in the Premier League? Should tackling or some forms of tackling be banned?

What can players do to prevent injuries? How important is it to warm up and cool down when doing sport?

Write your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

luannt's picture
luannt
03/03/2018
VN
33
points

To prevent injuries, the players should be careful in play, fair-play and warm up before every match.


luannt's picture
luannt
03/03/2018 05:45
Vietnam
Arsenal
33

To prevent injuries, the players should be careful in play, fair-play and warm up before every match.

Fares
03/03/2018
SY
11
points

Hello Rich,
I'm Fares from Syria, i think that warming up is only important for preventing players from getting their muscles pulled, but it has nothing to do with the severe collide that often occurs between two players -due to the nature of this game- and it may get one of them had a bad injury.
I think "having bad injury or not" issue depends on the player's luck and the destiny :( .
In addition to all the injuries that you mentioned, there is a common injury " swallowing the tongue" and unfortunately it led directly to death if the correct first aid wouldn't happen.


Fares
03/03/2018 00:03
Syria
Liverpool
11

Hello Rich,
I'm Fares from Syria, i think that warming up is only important for preventing players from getting their muscles pulled, but it has nothing to do with the severe collide that often occurs between two players -due to the nature of this game- and it may get one of them had a bad injury.
I think "having bad injury or not" issue depends on the player's luck and the destiny :( .
In addition to all the injuries that you mentioned, there is a common injury " swallowing the tongue" and unfortunately it led directly to death if the correct first aid wouldn't happen.

Rich's picture
Rich
05/03/2018
ES
594
points

Swallowing your tongue is very dangerous, but, thankfully, I don't think it's that common on the football pitch.

Thanks for your message, Fares and I hope you enjoy the website!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
05/03/2018 17:08
Spain
Liverpool
594

Swallowing your tongue is very dangerous, but, thankfully, I don't think it's that common on the football pitch.

Thanks for your message, Fares and I hope you enjoy the website!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

elghoul's picture
elghoul
02/03/2018
DZ
3988
points

Two feet tackling have been banned so referees have to book the players for that misplay.

It is very important to warm up before playing and cool down just after the competition or the day after.

Players must play with all protective stuff.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
02/03/2018 12:37
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

Two feet tackling have been banned so referees have to book the players for that misplay.

It is very important to warm up before playing and cool down just after the competition or the day after.

Players must play with all protective stuff.

Rich's picture
Rich
02/03/2018
ES
594
points

Quite a few of you are talking about the importance of warming up and cooling down. What do you think a good warm up or cool down routine should be? Just stretching?


Rich's picture
Rich
02/03/2018 09:55
Spain
Liverpool
594

Quite a few of you are talking about the importance of warming up and cooling down. What do you think a good warm up or cool down routine should be? Just stretching?

TatkaNatka's picture
TatkaNatka
02/03/2018
RU
243
points

Running or jogging? Jumping and after all this stuff stretching I suppose


TatkaNatka's picture
TatkaNatka
02/03/2018 16:23
Russia
Arsenal
243

Running or jogging? Jumping and after all this stuff stretching I suppose

milos
02/03/2018
RS
2663
points

The nature of game has changed and today we have much more injuries on the pitch.How player can prevent injury,that is a difficult question .Some of the things that players can do is proper training for strength.Strength is very important when we talk about injuries.Stronger muscle is more resistant to injury,and stronger muscle is going to recover faster.But of course players cannot prevent every situations which can lead to injury.Active recovery,warm up,cool down is important too.I think that player can not neglect neither aspect.Players must do everything so they be ready for game and training.


milos
02/03/2018 07:38
Serbia
Manchester United
2663

The nature of game has changed and today we have much more injuries on the pitch.How player can prevent injury,that is a difficult question .Some of the things that players can do is proper training for strength.Strength is very important when we talk about injuries.Stronger muscle is more resistant to injury,and stronger muscle is going to recover faster.But of course players cannot prevent every situations which can lead to injury.Active recovery,warm up,cool down is important too.I think that player can not neglect neither aspect.Players must do everything so they be ready for game and training.

TatkaNatka's picture
TatkaNatka
28/02/2018
RU
243
points

I agree with Toha_23. All professions had definite risks. Footballers should be careful with aggressive tackles, they should think much more about other technique if it's possible. Stretching exercises prevent them from many injuries, I suppose. Warm up and cool down is a good way to strong and healthy legs and bodies. 


TatkaNatka's picture
TatkaNatka
28/02/2018 13:26
Russia
Arsenal
243

I agree with Toha_23. All professions had definite risks. Footballers should be careful with aggressive tackles, they should think much more about other technique if it's possible. Stretching exercises prevent them from many injuries, I suppose. Warm up and cool down is a good way to strong and healthy legs and bodies. 

Toha_23's picture
Toha_23
28/02/2018
UA
298
points

In my opinion, tackling it's the same art in football as goal, pass, save. And if the player makes a dangerous tackle it’s because he can’t do it right or does not develop this skill.
To ban the tackling - is to turn football into continuous match-fixing.
And I think, there aren’t too many dangerous tackles in the Premier League. You can find injuries almost in every profession. For example, Jack and Rich risk daily by reading our comments and their eyesight does not get better, constantly looking at the monitor. Also, a sedentary way of work precisely does not make them healthier. So should someone ban such a great project as Premier Skills English because it’s dangerous for all the people who create it?;)


Toha_23's picture
Toha_23
28/02/2018 08:32
Ukraine
Leicester City
298

In my opinion, tackling it's the same art in football as goal, pass, save. And if the player makes a dangerous tackle it’s because he can’t do it right or does not develop this skill.
To ban the tackling - is to turn football into continuous match-fixing.
And I think, there aren’t too many dangerous tackles in the Premier League. You can find injuries almost in every profession. For example, Jack and Rich risk daily by reading our comments and their eyesight does not get better, constantly looking at the monitor. Also, a sedentary way of work precisely does not make them healthier. So should someone ban such a great project as Premier Skills English because it’s dangerous for all the people who create it?;)

Rich's picture
Rich
28/02/2018
ES
594
points

Hi Toha_23

I agree with you. I really hope that tackling does not disappear. As you say, it is an art in the same way as scoring a great goal or making a great pass I'm not sure what you mean by match-fixing, though?

Thanks for your concern about our eyesight :) We take regular breaks from the screen but I should definitely get out and about more!

Rich - The Premier SkilEnglishish Team


Rich's picture
Rich
28/02/2018 10:27
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Toha_23

I agree with you. I really hope that tackling does not disappear. As you say, it is an art in the same way as scoring a great goal or making a great pass I'm not sure what you mean by match-fixing, though?

Thanks for your concern about our eyesight :) We take regular breaks from the screen but I should definitely get out and about more!

Rich - The Premier SkilEnglishish Team

Toha_23's picture
Toha_23
01/03/2018
UA
298
points

Hello Rich!
When I said “To ban the tackling - is to turn football into continuous match-fixing”, I meant a struggle on the football pitch will disappear. Someone will bribe players or even entire teams to win titles. In Ukraine, there were already such cases, when some players imitated the struggle on the pitch and received money for it, but soon the imitation was proven and the perpetrators were punished.


Toha_23's picture
Toha_23
01/03/2018 09:13
Ukraine
Leicester City
298

Hello Rich!
When I said “To ban the tackling - is to turn football into continuous match-fixing”, I meant a struggle on the football pitch will disappear. Someone will bribe players or even entire teams to win titles. In Ukraine, there were already such cases, when some players imitated the struggle on the pitch and received money for it, but soon the imitation was proven and the perpetrators were punished.

Honami
27/02/2018
PE
99
points

I think it's important stretching to prevent injuries. In football, the players run to warm up and cool down but I think in any activity that requires a lot of physical effort, we should stretch our body.


Honami
27/02/2018 18:32
Peru
Leicester City
99

I think it's important stretching to prevent injuries. In football, the players run to warm up and cool down but I think in any activity that requires a lot of physical effort, we should stretch our body.

lakerwang
27/02/2018
CN
337
points

I think too many matches results in players' fatigue and making them prone to injury. Tackles are a part of football, though I barely make aggresive tackles as a defender on the pitch.
The harder you work on the pitch, the higher you take the risk of injury. So it's a dilemma, I think.


lakerwang
27/02/2018 17:39
China
Chelsea
337

I think too many matches results in players' fatigue and making them prone to injury. Tackles are a part of football, though I barely make aggresive tackles as a defender on the pitch.
The harder you work on the pitch, the higher you take the risk of injury. So it's a dilemma, I think.

Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018
ES
594
points

Do you think a winter break would help with injuries in the Premier League? It's something that the Premier League are thinking about: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43215246 


Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018 21:24
Spain
Liverpool
594

Do you think a winter break would help with injuries in the Premier League? It's something that the Premier League are thinking about: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43215246 

lakerwang
02/03/2018
CN
337
points

What I don't understand about England football is why there are two trophies in England, FA Cup and Football League Cup. There is only one trophy in other country, like CopadelRey in Spain, German Cup in Germany, Coppa Italia in Italy.
Even if the winter break was carried out, wouldn't that mean more of intensity of matches in match periods?


lakerwang
02/03/2018 17:10
China
Chelsea
337

What I don't understand about England football is why there are two trophies in England, FA Cup and Football League Cup. There is only one trophy in other country, like CopadelRey in Spain, German Cup in Germany, Coppa Italia in Italy.
Even if the winter break was carried out, wouldn't that mean more of intensity of matches in match periods?

Regims's picture
Regims
27/02/2018
ID
249
points

yes, fairly high risk for getting some football injuries especially muscle injuries. Two-footed tackles have been banned and result in a red card, tackles from behind have also been outlawed and are usually given a yellow card. this is the result if there is player used their twoo footed tackles.

The players can do some light exercise like warnm up. They can running in place, to tense the hamstring, and other muscle especially in leg. Warm up and cool down is very important to prepare a muscle when it become tight and relaxing muscle


Regims's picture
Regims
27/02/2018 17:14
Indonesia
Manchester United
249

yes, fairly high risk for getting some football injuries especially muscle injuries. Two-footed tackles have been banned and result in a red card, tackles from behind have also been outlawed and are usually given a yellow card. this is the result if there is player used their twoo footed tackles.

The players can do some light exercise like warnm up. They can running in place, to tense the hamstring, and other muscle especially in leg. Warm up and cool down is very important to prepare a muscle when it become tight and relaxing muscle

Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018
ES
594
points

Hi Regims

Thanks for your comment. Do you think it is a good thing that these types of tackle have been banned or do you think that they are just part of the game?

Rich - The PremierSkillss English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018 21:21
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Regims

Thanks for your comment. Do you think it is a good thing that these types of tackle have been banned or do you think that they are just part of the game?

Rich - The PremierSkillss English Team

ya v
27/02/2018
RU
38
points

very many


ya v
27/02/2018 13:14
Russia
Arsenal
38

very many

ir s
27/02/2018
RU
323
points

many

important


ir s
27/02/2018 10:57
Russia
Arsenal
323

many

important

LAURITA's picture
LAURITA
26/02/2018
ES
183
points

In my humble opinion (because I don't know much about Football), yes! I think so. There are too many injuries!

Buf I don't believe that banning it to be the best solution. Referees should be nearer players all the time, not only to look at them and control but also to prevent and to avoid things like that, if doing this is possible, of course. As I was telling, I'm not an expert!

What can players do? Being more careful, obviously. I suppose that would be a great idea not to do dangerous movements while they are playing.

To finish, everybody knows that warming up/ cooling down are an essential part of any physical activity or game, don't you agree?


LAURITA's picture
LAURITA
26/02/2018 23:54
Spain
Brighton and Hove Albion
183

In my humble opinion (because I don't know much about Football), yes! I think so. There are too many injuries!

Buf I don't believe that banning it to be the best solution. Referees should be nearer players all the time, not only to look at them and control but also to prevent and to avoid things like that, if doing this is possible, of course. As I was telling, I'm not an expert!

What can players do? Being more careful, obviously. I suppose that would be a great idea not to do dangerous movements while they are playing.

To finish, everybody knows that warming up/ cooling down are an essential part of any physical activity or game, don't you agree?

Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018
ES
594
points

Hi Laurita,

I agree 100% about warming up and cooling down but what can be done to prevent contact injuries? Can players be more careful or are they only thinking about winning?

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018 21:18
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Laurita,

I agree 100% about warming up and cooling down but what can be done to prevent contact injuries? Can players be more careful or are they only thinking about winning?

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

LAURITA's picture
LAURITA
28/02/2018
ES
183
points

You have a point! I am not sure if they can do anything about this but I am totally convinced that they think most about winning above all!


LAURITA's picture
LAURITA
28/02/2018 23:04
Spain
Brighton and Hove Albion
183

You have a point! I am not sure if they can do anything about this but I am totally convinced that they think most about winning above all!

Sakuita87
26/02/2018
CO
16
points

it´s part of the job.


Sakuita87
26/02/2018 22:47
Colombia
Arsenal
16

it´s part of the job.

alladal
26/02/2018
AM
41
points

i think that the players cant do anything to prevent the injuries. because they are unpredictable. They run very fast, want to catch the ball and so on.And it is risky. they only think about their goal and want to win. If someone is very careful, i will not help him to stay without injuries.


alladal
26/02/2018 18:20
Armenia
Tottenham Hotspur
41

i think that the players cant do anything to prevent the injuries. because they are unpredictable. They run very fast, want to catch the ball and so on.And it is risky. they only think about their goal and want to win. If someone is very careful, i will not help him to stay without injuries.

Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018
ES
594
points

Hi Alladal,

Thanks for your message. You're right, the way players move they always run the risk of injury. Do you think that a good warm-up could avoid some muscle injuries?

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
27/02/2018 21:16
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Alladal,

Thanks for your message. You're right, the way players move they always run the risk of injury. Do you think that a good warm-up could avoid some muscle injuries?

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

alladal
26/02/2018
AM
41
points

I think that the players can't prevent the risk of injuries, becouse it is unpredictable. When they are in the game and they want to win, they only think about their goal and are running very fast. 


alladal
26/02/2018 18:11
Armenia
Tottenham Hotspur
41

I think that the players can't prevent the risk of injuries, becouse it is unpredictable. When they are in the game and they want to win, they only think about their goal and are running very fast. 

luannt's picture
luannt
03/03/2018
VN
33
points

Good point, I agree with your think.


luannt's picture
luannt
03/03/2018 05:47
Vietnam
Arsenal
33

Good point, I agree with your think.

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Vocabulary: The language of injuries

Skills: Reading

Discussion: Should tackling be banned?