Turf Talk: The Importance of Recovery for Young Soccer Players
These days, kids are more active than ever, juggling practices, games, tournaments, and even multiple sports. While it’s amazing to see young athletes passionate and on the move, this increase in activity also brings a rise in injuries, especially those related to overuse.
Did you know overuse injuries account for more than half (54%) of youth sports injuries? Common issues include hamstring and quad strains, as well as calf injuries. And in the past 15 years, ACL injuries in high school athletes have jumped by 24%. That’s a big deal, especially considering our kids are still growing—meaning their bones haven’t fully developed and are more vulnerable to stress.
So what can parents do to help their athletes stay healthy and strong all season long? Here are three key recovery practices every soccer family should know:
1. Stretch & Roll—Especially After Practice
Encourage your child to stretch and use a foam roller daily, focusing on the glutes, hamstrings, and hip flexors. Stretching is most effective after practice or games, when muscles are warm and the tissues are beginning to recover. This helps reduce tightness and prevent strain, giving the body a better chance to regenerate and stay balanced.
Pro Tip: Keep a foam roller by the TV or in your child’s room. Just 5–10 minutes of rolling before bed can help release muscle tension and support daily recovery.
2. Prioritize Rest
Rest isn’t just a break—it’s part of training. The soccer season is long and demanding, so it’s important to build in regular rest days. This time allows inflammation to go down and gives growing bones, muscles, and ligaments a chance to recover and rebuild.
3. Avoid Overloading
It’s tempting to let energetic kids sign up for every sport in sight, but during soccer season, it’s best to focus on soccer. Playing multiple sports or stacking too many practices can lead to fast-developing overuse injuries—some of which can take months to heal.
At Inter Atlanta, we care not just about how your child plays on the field, but how they recover off it. Building smart habits now helps young athletes stay healthy, happy, and ready to play for years to come.