Hi Kate,

These are just my thoughts but I'm certainly a coach who will enforce every
player strapping or bracing for trainings and games. I went to a training
session not strapped and ended up in the worst predicament and missed 9
games, which was the end of the season. Pretty crappy to sit on the
sidelines during the finals, just because I didn't practice what I preached!

From a representative coach point of view, all girls I know of from
secondary school comps up are required to either strap or brace ankles. It
obviously depends on the coach but it is very much becoming the trend, which
I see the good side of. I'm all for bracing or strapping. I've heard
debates that it will weaken ankles etc, but I am a very firm believer of
prevention is better than cure. Kids can't help an injury no matter how
good they are and 8 - 9 times out of 10 injuries may be caused by other
peoples actions, whether avoiding them or colliding with them, as much as
our own. Having watched a very talented 12yo roll an ankle and end up with
very bad ligament damage, she was required to strap for everything and have
several treatments and miss several games, during last season. This
affected her rep opportunities also. Had she strapped in the first place
before taking the court, the ligament damage would not have been as bad and
better yet - may not even have happened.

I think that there is a limit to the age, but as soon as the players hit
around the 12 yo mark kids should get used to them. Braces are
uncomfortable but get better the more you wear them. Some players may
develop an allergic reaction to the tape, but there are some good under
coating things now available at chemists or from physios. They should be
getting used to them by the time they're at the 15 & under and junior
national ages. I can't think of one player at last years junior nationals
who wasn't strapped or taped. It's hard for players at such a level to be
"getting used to" their braces or strapping while facing the challenges of
national comps as well.

I bought braces ( I'm allergic to tape) at the start of last years major
season and they did that and the wet season. They cost about $130 for both
and I got them from the local office of Sports Med. Be sure to have the
player properly fitted into the brace so that it offers the support it is
meant to and not cause problems because of an incorrect fit. It's worth
having a chat to a physio or trainer if you wanted a more scientific outlook
on the bad side of kids wearing support, but from someone who fractured an
ankle at a primary school state event, I wish I had strapped then to save me
the troubles now, some 20 years on.

Hope this helps.
Cheers, Kate C
Palmerston Crocs Netball - Darwin NT
crocsnetball@...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kate and Sam" <kate.sam@...>
To: <netballcoaching@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 10:58 PM
Subject: [netballcoaching] strapping / bracing ankles


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> Hi all
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> I am wondering what the current practice is for strapping or bracing
> of ankles for young players for carnivals.
>
> The girls are all under14 so approx 11 to 13 years. Do you strap and
> /or brace all players as a preventative measure or just those that
> have previous injuries.
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> The request comes from a coach who had players roll or strain ankles
> at a carnival and now requires all girls to strap. Some parents are
> resisting as they feel strapping ankles may place extra pressure on
> knees.
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> I have attempted to check out websites etc and coaching mags for info
> but need some assistance.
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> Many thanks
>
> kate
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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