When summer rolls around, many families experience the rush of excitement from their child about joining a football league. According to a 2015 study, 1.23 million kids aged 6 to 12 join this popular sport. While team sports can be beneficial for your child's physical and social development, it can take some trial and error to find the right fit. Before scheduling a sports physical with a pediatrician, it's best to give some thought to whether football is right for your family. 

3 Considerations Before Letting Your Child Play Tackle Football

1. It's Not for Every Child 

This physically demanding sport requires kids to be comfortable with physicality. A typical training includes hitting and getting hit, blocking, and tackling. For your child to do well, they'll have to learn strategies behind the game for offense and defense. 

Some children are at their best mentally and physically when playing other sports that involve less aggressive contact. For instance, a slower-paced sport like baseball might be ideal for a child with asthma. A pediatrician can help highlight some of these factors during a sports physical.

2. Time Commitment 

Football is a time commitment for both the parent and the player. Most leagues practice anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours three to four times a week, with games on the weekend. Some games may require some travel, cutting into your weekend time off. 

Many football programs require volunteer commitments from parents to run the games. It's important for you and your child to understand whether this is feasible when factoring in your job, school work, chores, and other activities and responsibilities.  

3. Injuries 

Despite helmets, shoulder pads, mouthpieces, and other protective equipment, there is a high likelihood your child will leave games and practices with some bumps and bruises. Soreness and minor injuries like muscle strains are part of this bodily sport. 

Head-to-head contact is where more serious injuries, like concussions, can become more of a reality. Although these types of interactions are designed to be avoided, they can happen accidentally. Always err on the side of caution and take your child to see the pediatrician if they have a bodily injury, especially if it's to the head. 

When you need a dependable pediatrician to care for your child, turn to Mante Pediatrics in Rock Hill and Chester, SC. Dr. Mante provides critical medical services, including a special focus on skin conditions, allergies, and ADHD treatments. This family-oriented clinic offers sports physicals, general immunizations, nutritional advice, sensory screenings, and behavioral assessments for a well-rounded health outlook. To learn more about the practice, visit the website. To schedule an appointment, call (803) 385-2075.