Injury prevention for young athletes
Basketball
Jumping, landing, and quick stops make ankles and knees the big ones in basketball, with fingers close behind.
Injuries to know
Ankle sprains
One of the most common injuries in basketball.
Learn: Ankle Sprain →ACL and knee injuries
Sudden changes in direction and landing from jumps put the knee's ligaments at risk.
Learn: ACL Tear →Jammed fingers
The ball hits the end of a finger and the joint swells up.
Learn: Wrist and Hand →Stress fractures
Tiny cracks in the foot or shin bone that come from adding training too fast.
Learn: Shin →
Habits that protect you
- Ask your coach to build an ACL injury prevention program into warm-ups.
- After time off, get back into shape slowly before full-speed games.
- Take at least one season off from basketball each year, and cut back if something hurts.
- Drink water before you feel thirsty.
Your lesson path
Take these in order. Each lesson takes about 3 minutes.